DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Local Administrative Agreement with the law enforcement agency partners participating in the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Program.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the City Manager, or her designated representative, to enter into a Local Administrative Agreement with the law enforcement agency partners participating in the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Program funded by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Police Department was chosen by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) to apply for an invitation-only grant opportunity to initiate and establish a multi-agency task force in San Antonio to combat gang activity in the area. The grant was accepted under Ordinance No. 2016-05-05-0319, which authorized the submission and acceptance of funds upon award for the TAG Program grant from the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, not to exceed the amount of $2,000,000.00. The grant period began April 1, 2016, and runs through August 31, 2017.
The grant is similar to the HIDTA concept in that the program would be a working group/task force that includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The objective is to provide a central point for investigative and operation coordination and de-confliction of investigations of gang activity and increase officer safety by not compromising an active investigation or targeting an undercover officer.
This program is being modeled after a successful program already in operation in Houston and North Richland Hills, Texas. Members of SAPD’s Research and Planning Unit have consulted with members of the Houston TAG program and determined the strengths and limitations. Staff has also worked to assure that this program will build on the strengths and modify the areas which can be improved upon. The Office of the Governor expresses considerable confidence in the ability of the San Antonio Police Department to establish this program and build it into a self-sustaining project.
Based on initial commitments there are 11 agencies (including SAPD) committing approximately 84 personnel to the program. It is expected that the program will eventually include over 15 agencies and upwards of 120 personnel. This ordinance authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to enter into a Local Administrative Agreement with the participating agencies which are, at a minimum:
• U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
• Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
• U.S. Marshals Service
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations
• United States Attorney’s Office
• Office of the Inspector General, Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Expansion of agreement to include other partnering law enforcement agencies as the program develops
ISSUE:
The San Antonio Police Department has been requested by the Office of the Governor to initiate a multi-agency task force to combat gang activity in the area. The CJD is offering up to $2,000,000.00 to offset costs of establishing this task force. The participating agencies have already expressed interest, offered personnel for the program, and signed the Local Administrative Agreement for this initiative.
ALTERNATIVES:
Not executing a Local Administrative Agreement with the law enforcement agency partners would eliminate the program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is part of the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) grant funded TAG program in which no cash or in-kind match is required. The grant is for up to $2,000,000.00, running from April 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City of San Antonio move forward in preparing and executing the appropriate Local Administrative Agreement to partner and coordinate with other agencies to reduce gang violence in our area.