DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City wide
SUBJECT:
Office of National Drug Control Policy 2017 HIDTA Grant Modification
Summary
An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of additional funding in the amount of $5,990.00, from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grant. The additional funds will increase the total grant award to $2,089,600.00, and increase the San Antonio Police Department HIDTA Task Force Initiative Budget to $797,608.00 for the grant period January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2018. City Council authorized the original award under City Ordinance 2016-08-04-0549, Item #21.
Background Information
The HIDTA mission is to reduce drug trafficking in the San Antonio metropolitan area by instituting innovative narcotic enforcement investigations and the seizure of illegally obtained assets in an effort to reduce the profitability of narcotics trafficking.
The San Antonio HIDTA Initiative, a multi-agency task force, performs drug interdiction operations designed to enhance the Police Department's narcotics enforcement efforts. This program allows the unit to use task force concepts which provides the capability to cross jurisdictional boundaries by employing law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal levels. The program targets narcotics organizations by focusing on the middle to upper level traffickers, and investigates the distribution of narcotics and related enterprises. Members of this unit are trained to investigate money laundering, asset structuring, financial auditing, and to apply surveillance techniques necessary to develop intelligence and make arrests.
Grant Year 2017 is the twenty-fourth year (24th) that this grant has been awarded to the San Antonio Police Department. This grant serves the law enforcement agencies for San Antonio and the surrounding counties.
Issue
This ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs, specifically addressing drug crime activity. The program from ONDCP will enhance the City's efforts in dealing with drug trafficking.
Alternatives
City Council could choose not to accept the additional grant funds. However, that would require that the Confiscated Property Fund absorb $5,350.00 in travel expenditures and $640.00 in field equipment leases, if funds are available. Otherwise, the expense may be charged to the General Fund.
Fiscal Impact
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of an additional $5,990.00 of grant funds from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grant. The proposed adjustment will increase the San Antonio Police Department HIDTA Task Force budget, which focuses on HIDTA initiatives within San Antonio, to $797,608.00. A General Fund cash match is not required.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the acceptance of additional grant funds from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area grant.