DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) Regional Auto Crimes Team (ReACT). Grant 2017/2018
SUMMARY:
These ordinances relate to grants from the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) for the San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) Regional Auto Crimes Team (ReACT). Grant.
A. An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $792,617 from the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) for the grant year of September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018; authorizing an Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio to fund one (1) Sergeant, six (6) Detective Investigators, two (2) Administrative Assistants and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) to fund one (1) Deputy Investigator; approving a cash match of $471,831; and an in-kind match of $2,215,720; and establishing a budget and personnel complement. This grant is a continuation of the current React grant which has been in operation for the last 23 years.
B. An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $696,035 from the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) for the grant year September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018; authorizing an Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio to fund three (3) additional Detective Investigators, one (1) new Crime Analyst, one (1) additional Administrative Assistant, three (3) new covert vehicles and the BCSO to fund three (3) new Deputy Investigators; approving a cash match of $175,343; and establishing a budget and personnel complement. This grant will be and expansion of the current ReACT grant by augmenting the program with additional staff.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The mission of ABTPA is to lower the automobile burglary and theft rate by instituting innovative enforcement and theft prevention techniques. The funds from ABTPA are attained through a $2.00 surcharge to insured motorists in the State of Texas.
A. The Continuation grant proposal requests continuation funding for the current ABTPA Grant project called Regional Auto Crimes Team (ReACT) and continues the Police Department's efforts at combating vehicle crimes. ReACT is a multi-jurisdictional unit composed of City and County elements. The SAPD Auto Theft Unit will work as part of the task force, and its General Fund budget will contribute to the in-kind portion of the grant. The BCSO will work in conjunction with the SAPD to assist with these efforts.
B. The Modified grant proposal requests additional funding from ABTPA to fund six (6) additional Detective Investigators, three (3) from the SAPD and three (3) from the BCSO. In addition, the Modified grant is requesting funding for one (1) new Crime Analyst position and one (1) additional Administrative Assistant position. As with the Continuation, Grant the SAPD Auto Theft Unit will work as part of the task force, and its General Fund budget will contribute to the in-kind portion of the grant. The BCSO will work in conjunction with the SAPD to assist with these efforts.
Proposed Continuation grant funded positions will include the following: one (1) Police Sergeant; six (6) Police Detective Investigators; one (1) Administrative Assistant II; one (1) Administrative Assistant I; and one (1) Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigator.
In-kind positions for SAPD include the following: One (1) Lieutenant, one (1) Sergeant, twelve (12) Detective Investigators and one (1) Administrative Assistant I. In-kind positions for the BCSO include the following: one (1) Bexar County Sheriff Sergeant; and two (2) Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigators.
Fiscal Year 2018 is the twenty-fifth (25) year this grant will be awarded to the San Antonio Police Department. For FY 2018, the total Continuation grant funding request is $792,617 and the total Modified grant funding request is $696,035. The grants serve the San Antonio metropolitan area.
ISSUE:
This ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing vehicle crime activity. The program from ABTPA will enhance the City's efforts in dealing with vehicle theft and related property crimes by continuing to recover stolen vehicles and other property through intensified enforcement.
ALTERNATIVES:
An alternative to acceptance of the grant would require the General Fund to absorb one (1) Police Sergeant; and six (6) Police Detective Investigator positions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A. This ordinance authorizes a program budget of $3,865,431.00, including $2,511,670.00 of in-kind contributions. Of the $2,511,670.00 in-kind contributions, the City will contribute $2,215,720.00 and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office $295,950.00. The General Fund will contribute a cash match amount of $471,831.00. The cost of non-city positions funded by the grant will be reimbursed to the appropriate organization in accordance with the Interlocal Agreement.
B. This ordinance authorizes a program budget of $871,378.00. Of the $871,378.00 the City will contribute a cash match of $175,343.00. The cost of non-city positions funded by the grant will be reimbursed to the appropriate organization in accordance with the Interlocal Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the grant application and acceptance upon award. This approval will help enhance efforts to decrease vehicle crime in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.