DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUMMARY:
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) has submitted two grant applications to the Office of the Governor (OOG), Criminal Justice Division Justice (CJD) for the continuation of the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) program and for the Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
City Council approved Ordinance No. 2017-05-25-0384 authorizing the submission of a grant application, and acceptance of funds upon award, for the OOG/CJD’s Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Program. 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 program is similar to the HIDTA concept in that the program would create 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. The City entered into a lease agreement for the facility on June 15, 2017, and hired the TAG Administrator as of October 2, 2017. Construction and finish out of the building is on-going and expected to be ready to move into by December 1, 2017. Program will be operational with all partners at the facility by mid-January 2018. This will be the second cycle of funding for the San Antonio TAG project. Funds will be used for the lease and operations of a facility housing the multi-agency anti-gang units. The application for the second cycle of funding is currently pending approval from the OOG/CJD.
City Council approved Ordinance No. 2017-08-17-0571 authorizing the submission of a grant application, on behalf of the City of San Antonio (SAPD, Park Police and Airport Police), and acceptance of funds upon award, for the OOG/CJD’s Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program. Funds for the project may only be used to purchase body armor, including bulletproof vests, ballistic plates, and plate carriers. There is no match requirement under this program. This is a 12 month project that must begin between January 1 and March 1, 2018. The final date to submit an application for the program is on September 6, 2017. The application is currently pending approval from the OOG/CJD.
The OOG/CJD has contacted the SAPD and indicated that specific language required to be in the ordinances, approving the application and acceptance of funds, was not included. The language is standard and required of all grant applicants and indicates that:
• The Chief of Police of the SAPD is designated as the grantee's authorized official and that the authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the City.
• The City Council agrees that in the event of loss or misuse of CJD grant funds, the City Council will return all funds to the OOG/CJD.
This language was inadvertently omitted in the original ordinances. Once the language is included, via amendment, in the ordinances both grants applications should be approved.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council’s policy of seeking financial assistance from outsides sources for law enforcement programs to increase officer safety and address criminal activity in the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
To not amend the original Ordinances would disqualify the City of San Antonio from receiving funds under these grants.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no cash or in-kind match required. Receipt of funds would have no impact on the City’s General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City of San Antonio move forward in amending Ordinance No. 2017-05-25-0384 and Ordinance 2017-08-17-0571 to include the specific language required by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division.