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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-205JUNE 22, 2010 10 -205 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 7-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: AUTHORIZE POLICE DEPARTMENT GRANT /2010 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) THROUGH U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR MISCELLANEOUS POLICE EQUIPMENT ($34,580.00) INITIATED BY: OSHKOSH POLICE DEPARTMENT BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council for the City of Oshkosh that the proper City officials are hereby authorized and directed to approve application for a grant agreement with U.S. Department of Justice for: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to assist local law enforcement to purchase needed equipment or replacement equipment such as tactical vests, flashlights, replacement cameras, radar /laser units, etc. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper City officials are hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents required by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance for the purposes of same, and are further authorized and directed, if said grant is awarded, to accept such funds pursuant to the terms of the grant application and to purchase needed equipment with grant funds. City of Oshkosh Police Department 420 Jackson Street Oshkosh, WI 54901 Tel: 920 - 236 -5720 Fax: 920 - 236 -5087 sgreuel@ci.oshkosh.wi.us www.oshkoshpd.com PROFESSIONALISM • PRIDE • INTEGRITY • TEAMWORK Scott D. Greuel Chief of Police TO: FROM DATE: RE: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council Scott D. Greuel, Chief of Police June 17, 2010 FY2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) BACKGROUND The Oshkosh Police Department has been notified of our eligibility to receive grant funds through the FY2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program in the amount of $34,580. The Byrne JAG program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program allows local governments to support a broad range of activities or to purchase equipment necessary to prevent and control crime or enhance operations based on their local needs and conditions. The application deadline is June 30, 2010. ANALYSIS Specific funds to local governments are partially based on a formula that calculates direct allocations based on our share of total violent crime reported within the state as indicated on the annual Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR). The city of Oshkosh has experienced an increase in Aggravated Assaults and Robberies over the past couple of years. An internal equipment needs assessment was conducted within the Oshkosh Police Department to determine how we could more effectively and efficiently achieve our organizational goals with the addition of basic and more advanced equipment. Equipment that was identified as priority needs includes: Streamlight Strion LED flashlights to be issued to officers, especially those officers assigned to 2 and 3rd shifts. The Strion flashlight will replace the older and dimmer lights historically issued to officers and eliminates the need to mount larger flashlights in our squads, thereby reducing the drain on the electrical system. We should also realize the reduction in the cost of battery replacements as the Strion flashlights function longer, brighter and more efficiently. (Approximate cost of each flashlight is $140 including carrying case and traffic cone attachment with an estimated cost of $6300. Cost of currently issued flashlights are approximately $115 each) The Mission of the Oshkosh Police Department is to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life in our community through innovative policing and community partnerships 2. Replacement of Tactical Body Armor worn by officers assigned to the Crisis Reaction Team (CRT) during tactical deployments. This equipment is utilized for officer and citizen protection and safety during high risk tactical incidents and armed encounters, when performing citizen evacuations from an area, or when executing search warrants. Soft body armor worn by officers on regular patrol operations does not match the threat level protection of the Tactical Vests. Wearable body armor is on a five -year (5) replacement cycle as recommended by the manufacturer and we are in need of replacement of twelve (12) vests over the next two years. The cost per vest is approximately $1620 with a total estimated cost of $19,440. Digital Device Forensic Hardware and Software that would enable our investigators to download evidentiary data from cell phones and other digital devices and assist us in solving crimes. We currently need to request the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation or other outside law enforcement agencies to retrieve this type of forensic evidence which often results in critical delays adversely impacting the effectiveness of some investigations. This equipment, and the expertise of our officers, would be available to other law enforcement agencies in Winnebago County as needed. Estimated cost of this equipment is approximately $4000 to $8000 and would be a one time purchase except for occasional additions to the kit as new devices are developed. FISCAL IMPACT The amount of the grant allocation to the Oshkosh Police Department is $34,580. The City of Oshkosh is the only governmental jurisdiction in Winnebago County that is eligible to apply for this grant. No city budget dollars will be used for the items requested in this grant. SUMMARY I am requesting Common Council approval to apply for this grant, accept the grant allocation funds if awarded, and to purchase the indicated equipment. The equipment will be utilized to enhance officer and citizen safety during high risk incidents and normal operations, as well as enhance the investigative capability of retrieving forensic evidence from digital devices when that technology is utilized during the commission of crimes. Respectfully submitted, Scott D. Greuel Chief of Police Approved, Mark Rohloff City Manager The Mission of the Oshkosh Police Department is to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life in our community through innovative policing and community partnerships