DEPARTMENT: SAPD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William McManus (SAPD)
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority ReACT Grant 2019
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of award funds, not to exceed $792,617 from the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Preventions Authority (ABTPA) for the grant year September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019: authorizing an interlocal agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office to fund one (1) deputy; approving City cash match of $471,831. National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) cash match in lieu of $89,313; and in-kind match of $2,662,034; and establishing a budget and personnel complement.
A Special Category Grant Opportunity form was submitted on June 4, 2018 due to the solicitation timeline of 30 days or less. The Special Category Grant Opportunity form was approved on June 20, 2018. The grant was submitted on June 29, 2018 and awarded on July 10, 2018 for the amount of $792,617.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The mission of ABTPA is to lower automobile theft and burglary rates by instituting innovative enforcement and theft prevention techniques. The funds from ABTPA are attained through a $2.00 surcharge to insured motorists.
The grant project is called Regional Auto Crimes Team (ReACT) and continues the Police Department’s efforts at combating vehicle crimes. ReACT is a multi-jurisdiction unit composed of City, County, and State elements. The San Antonio Police Department (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 Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) will work in conjunction with SAPD to assist with these efforts. The NICB will work directly with the task force to facilitate the identification, detection, and prosecution of auto theft and insurance fraud crimes.
Grant-funded positions will include the following: seven (7) Police Detective Investigators; one (1) Administrative Assistant II; one (1) Administrative Assistance I; and one (1) Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigator. In-kind positions include the following: One (1) Bexar County Sheriff Sergeant; and two (2) Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigators. The NICB cash match in lieu of position will include one (1) Special Agent/Investigator on a part-time basis.
Fiscal Year 2019 is the twenty-sixth (26) year this grant has been awarded to the San Antonio Police Department. For FY 2019, the total grant funding request is $4,015,795 which is an increase of $150,364 when compared to FY 2018. The grant serves 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 seven (7) Police Detective Investigators and two (2) Administrative Assistant positions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the San Antonio to receive an award of $792,617 from the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Preventions Authority (ABTPA) for the Regional Auto Crimes Task Force (ReACT) FY 2019 Grant. The proposed program budget totals $4,015,795, including $2,662,034 of in-kind contributions. Of the $2,662,034 in-kind contributions, the City will contribute $2,335,898 and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office $326,136. The total cash match of $561,144 consists of General Fund cash match of $471,831 which is available in the proposed FY 2019 General Fund Budget, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) cash match in lieu of for $89,313.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the 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.