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 2020
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $2,220,971.00 from the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) for the grant year of September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020. This ordinance also authorizes a grant project budget of up to $5,334,114.00 funded by the grant funds of $2,220,971.00; a cash match of $561,746.00 ($479,446.00 from the City’s FY 2020 General Fund Budget, and $82,300.00 in lieu of cash match from the National Insurance Crime Bureau); and an in-kind contribution of $2,551,397.00 ($2,217,174.00 from the City’s Police Department General Fund budget, and $334,223.00 from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office). This ordinance further authorizes an Interlocal Agreement between the City and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) to fund one Deputy Investigator position from the grant funds in the amount of $97,451.00.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The mission of the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority (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.
The grant proposal requests funding for the 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 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.
A total of 10 positions are authorized with this ordinance for this program, of these positions 9 are authorized for SAPD and 1 is authorized for BCSO. This is the same number of positions funded in FY 2018. For SAPD the positions include 7 Police Detective Investigators, and 2 Administrative Civilian Positions. The position for BCSO is a Sheriff Detective Investigator.
The in-kind contribution of $2,551,397.00 is comprised of 15 SAPD Positions that include 1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, 11 Detective Investigators and one civilian Administrative Assistant in the total amount of $2,217,174.00. The in-kind contribution from BCSO consists of 3 positions that include 1 Bexar County Sheriff Sergeant and 2 Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigators in the total amount of $334,223.00.
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:
Should the City not pursue this application, the associated cost with continuing the City’s portion of the Regional Auto Crimes Task Force Program may require the City to add financial resources to cover the cost.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio to submit a grant application to receive an award of $2,220,971.00 from the Texas Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority for the Regional Auto Crimes Task Force FY 2020 grant. This ordinance authorizes a total program budget of $5,334,114, funded by the grant funds of $2,220,971.00; a cash match of $561,746.00 ($479,446.00 from the City’s FY 2020 General Fund Budget, and $82,300.00 in lieu of cash match from the National Insurance Crime Bureau); and an in-kind contribution of $2,551,397.00 ($2,217,174.00 from the City’s Police Department FY 2019 General Fund budget, and $334,223.00 from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office).
This ordinance also authorizes an Interlocal Agreement with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office for $97,451.00 funded by the grant to provide reimbursement for a Sherriff Detective Investigator.
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.