DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) Regional Auto Crimes Team (ReACT). Grant 2021
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $800,000.00 from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) for the grant year of September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. This ordinance also authorizes a grant project budget of up to $3,941,746.00 funded by the grant funds of $800,000.00; a cash match of $561,746.00 ($474,547.00 from the City’s General Fund Budget, and $87,199.00 in lieu of cash match from the National Insurance Crime Bureau); and an in-kind contribution of $2,580,000.00 ($2,226,375.00 from the City’s Police Department General Fund budget, and $353,625.00 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 $111,186.38.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The mission of the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) is to lower the automobile burglary and theft rate by instituting innovative enforcement and theft prevention techniques. The funds from MVCPA are attained through a $4.00 surcharge to insured motorists in the State of Texas.
The grant proposal requests funding for the MVCPA 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) Vehicle Crimes 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 program includes 28 existing positions, of those 24 are SAPD positions and 4 are BCSO. These 28 positions are funded by the grant (10) and the in-kind contributions from the City and the County (18).
• The 24 SAPD Positions include 18 Detective Investigators, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, and 3 Civilian Positions.
• The 4 BCSO positions include 1 Sheriff Detective Investigator, 1 Bexar County Sheriff Sergeant and 2 Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigators.
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 MVCPA 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 $800,000.00 from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for the Regional Auto Crimes Task Force FY 2021 grant. This ordinance authorizes a total program budget of $3,941,746.00, funded by the grant funds of $800,000.00; a cash match of $561,746.00 ($474,547.00 from the City’s FY 2021 General Fund Budget, and $87,199.00 in lieu of cash match from the National Insurance Crime Bureau); and an in-kind contribution of $2,580,000.00 ($2,226,375.00 from the City’s Police Department FY 2021 General Fund budget, and $353,625.00 from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office).
This ordinance also authorizes an Interlocal Agreement with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office for $111,186.38 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 continue to enhance efforts to decrease vehicle crimes in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.