HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/15/2022 10 Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG) crime proposalB US INE S S O F T HE C I T Y C O UNC I L
YAK I M A, WAS HING T O N
AG E ND A S TAT E M E NT
I tem No. 10.
F or Meeting of: March 15, 2022
I T E M T IT L E :Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YV C O G) crime
proposal
S UB M IT T E D B Y:B ob Harrison, City Manager
S UM M ARY E X P L ANAT I O N:
The YV C O G has submitted a proposal to fund a Regional Crime Center. A ttached is a draft
letter for Council consideration before the YV C O G meeting on Wednesday night next week.
A lso included on this item is the YV C O G proposal and an initial analysis from P olice Chief
Murray.
I T E M B UD G E T E D:
S T RAT E G I C P RI O RI T Y:
AP P RO V E D F O R S UB M IT TAL B Y T HE C IT Y M ANAG E R
RE C O M M E ND AT I O N:
A pprove Mayor's signature on the draft letter to YV C O G.
AT TAC HM E NT S :
Description Upload Date Type
YVCOG Letter 3/11/2022 Cover Memo
YVCOG regional crime resource ctr 3/10/2022 Cover Memo
regional crime resource ctr 3/10/2022 Cover Memo
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March 11, 2022
Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
311 North 4th Street, Suite 204
Yakima, WA 98901
Dear YVCOG Membership:
The Yakima City Council is providing this letter to provide clarity around the City of Yakima’s position to
the suggested RCIC proposal.
The City of Yakima is in favor of:
Yakima County and the other municipalities in the YVCOG increasing their funding and
enhancing their crime fighting capabilities through the addition of crime analysts. The enhanced
capabilities of our regional neighbors that can coordinate with the City of Yakima’s crime
analysts will improve capabilities and coordination for all agencies.
Jointly purchasing the Ninex system and other potential capital investments, equipment, and
related training that would benefit the entire region. The City of Yakima Police Chief forwarded
additional suggestions for capital equipment that we believe would benefit all police agencies in
the region and the City of Yakima would be willing to be a partner and share in those costs.
Equitable distribution of costs, as the City of Yakima is no longer in a financial position to
underwrite costs for other governmental organizations. We have raised this issue with the
YVCOG and we have not received a satisfactory response from the YVCOG membership or
YVCOG administration regarding the provision of SWAT services, the cost of which is primarily
borne by the City of Yakima.
The City of Yakima specific positions on other elements of this proposal are:
The City of Yakima will not participate in the funding of the regional crime analysts, the YVCOG
administrative charge, and other elements related to the operational aspects of the plan. As has
been relayed to the YVCOG administration, the City of Yakima invests over $350,000 annually in
staffing three of its own crime analyst positions. To have the City of Yakima fund two additional
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crime analysts that will be providing services directly to other municipal organizations and the
County and not the City can’t be justified to the taxpayers of Yakima.
We don’t believe that the YVCOG has the public safety expertise nor can we justify the YVCOG
administrative charge when there is a regional agency, the Yakima County Sheriff, that could
manage this service through an interlocal agreement. Management and scheduling of the
equipment could be rolled into the Sheriff’s daily operations, and if necessary a small fee
provided to cover additional costs.
The City of Yakima is willing to continue to have conversations with the YVCOG about this concept
within the parameters of what has been identified within this letter. We are committed to continuing to
work with all the members of the YVCOG to find opportunities for service or capital investments that
make good sense from both a service and financial perspective.
On behalf of the Yakima City Council, thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposal.
Respectfully,
Janice Deccio
Mayor
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March 7, 2022
Dear Mayor and Councilmember:
YVCOG has exciting news to share about an opportunity for your jurisdiction. In cooperation with law
enforcement agencies, YVCOG is bringing a Regional Crime Resource Center to the Yakima Valley. This is an
opportunity for all jurisdictions. Providing this service to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victims in
our valley is a huge step forward in increasing public safety and evaluating solutions to reduce crime. The
objective is to work together, across jurisdictional boundaries in support of each other, with shared
information and resources.
The Regional Crime Resource Center will employ two Public Safety staff that will provide participating law
enforcement agencies a visual map showing criminal activity. The map will provide data on crime wherever it
happens in our valley, not just within your jurisdictional boundaries. Working together, law enforcement
agencies will be able to share with each other solutions they used to reduce crime. If our officers are working
together and sharing solutions, we will begin to analyze criminal activities and solutions together.
These two YVCOG Public Safety staff will also provide information related to gun crimes after being trained
as firearms examiners by National Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). YVCOG will purchase required
technology, National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), u sing the ATF website, to reduce
violent gun crimes. The Public Safety staff will conduct a microscopic examination of physical evidence
collected by your law enforcement at the scene of a crime. If the evidence collected is a match in the NIBIN
system, the data is then compiled into intelligence reports with other gun crimes in all areas. Why is this
important? It’s all about building a case with evidence to prosecute criminals. Working together is key. These
criminals are not siloed in your jurisdiction, we can’t be siloed fighting them.
YVCOG has been meeting with mayors, city managers, councilmembers, police chiefs, or the YVCOG voting
member from each jurisdiction to share this opportunity. We have listened to each person we met with.
Common concerns include:
• How to fund a regional center
• The desire to have more regionalized services
• Will YVCOG’s service benefit every member, or will we focus on one or two of our members where
crime may be the highest?
Let me address each of these concerns.
1. Funding the Regional Crime Resource Center.
When YVCOG was formed in 1966, how we operate and ‘share’ in the cost was determined. To impact
every member’s budget in an equal manner was determined. YVCOG uses Office of Financial
Management’s (OFM) estimated population for each member and calculates the percentage of
population for the region for each jurisdiction.
This percentage is used when determining the ‘share’ of a cost for a regional service. Still today, this is
the fairest way to share in a cost.
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YVCOG understands how tight your budgets are. We have applied for funding to share in some of the
startup costs for the Center and will hear back in April if our application is successful. If we are
successful, we hope to reduce the cost to members to ‘Year-2’ of the estimated cost worksheet
provided with this letter.
We will continue to apply for funding opportunities to support this service, but I want to be clear that
there is no guarantee we would be able to support this service without your jurisdiction’s financial
support. An opportunity for you is to use ARPA funds is available also as we start this service. We will
continue to update you on the success of our grant applications.
2. More regional services
YES! YVCOG is willing to expand the Regional Crime Resource Center. We believe approaching crime in
a regional manner will provide additional solutions to all agencies and that we are stronger together.
After we have the RCRC established, we can discuss other services that make sense to host here. We
have learned that there are multiple committees and boards that all the jurisdictions participate in and
if these could all come together under one umbrella, the costs and multiple meetings could be
decreased. We will continue to identify these services and discuss the benefits of hosting them at the
RCRC.
3. Does YVCOG focus on one member more than another?
NO! YVCOG is the round table where every voice is heard and matters. BUT…. If YOUR voice is not at
the table sharing your jurisdictions needs and opinions, it may feel like this is true. We operate just as
your council does. We conduct business if a quorum is present. If we have a quorum and your
jurisdiction is not present, the entire Valley misses out on hearing your needs, your opinion, your vote.
I encourage and appreciate the participation of all members. Every member matters and we believe in
serving all members equally. I hope your voting member from YVCOG is reporting back to you r whole
council the regional updates presented during YVCOG’s General Membership meetings.
YVCOG welcomes an opportunity to join a study session or council meeting to answer questions regarding the
Regional Crime Resource Center. Please contact me at chris.wickenhagen@yvcog.org or Vicki Baker at
victoria.baker@yvcog.org. We will do our best to accommodate all study sessions.
I have attached an estimated cost worksheet , the ARPA Rules Regarding Gun Violence as an eligible use, and
the staffing proposal for your review. Please refer the ARPA rules to your legal counsel for interpretation and
approval in utilizing these funds.
As we continue to move forward, YVCOG would like to learn your intent to participate in a Regional Crime
Resource Center by the end of April. Please email me your jurisdiction’s intent by April 29, 2022. Our intent
is to hire staff and begin the training on July 1 to have the RCRC in full operation by January 1, 2023.
After YVCOG has learned of your jurisdictions intent to participate, we will share your intent with all members
and follow up with a resolution for signature. Please reach out to me (509-759-7986) or Vicki (509-759-7983)
with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Chris Wickenhagen
Executive Director
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Proposal January 2022
Prepared by: Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
Chris Wickenhagen, Executive Director
January 2022
Yakima Valley
Regional Crime Center
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Yakima Valley Regional Crime Center:
Provide regional law enforcement agencies vital data and
services linked to solve and prevent crime
Yakima Valley Conference of
Governments is a regional local
government who serves
municipalities in the Yakima Valley.
Members consist of:
• Grandview Selah
Granger Sunnyside
• Harrah Tieton
• Mabton Toppenish
• Moxee Union Gap
• Naches Wapato
Yakima Zillah
Yakima County
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Regional Public Safety Specialists:
YVCOG will employ a minimum of two full-time employees to serve as the region’s Public
Safety Specialists.
Essential Duties Include:
The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) (Enforcement Support System
(NESS)) is a ballistic imaging technology offered through Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives (ATF).
Firearms examiners enter cartridge casing evidence into the Integrated Ballistic Identification
System. Law enforcement can search against evidence from across the country. This program
is one investigative tool accessed by law enforcement that allows each of us to share
information and cooperation easily making all of us more effective in closing cases.
Employee’s will complete a standardized training curriculum through National Firearms
Examiner Academy (NEFA) provided by ATF. Employees will learn the fundamentals of firearms
and toolmark examinations while preparing them to deliver expert witness testimony based
on scientific proof, including simulated pretrial conferences and evidence exhibits.
Crime Analysts
Utilizing ESRI’s ArcGIS platform, staff will be able to provide crime patterns, share information,
while allowing for data driven decisions.
Crime analysts enter data into the ArcGIS platform. Translating the data to share with law
enforcement will provide safer situational awareness in
the field. Understanding trends, analyze the dynamics
of a crime incident, collaborating with other agencies
will protect human life and property.
Fighting Crime Before It Happens with Smart Mapping - YouTube
Employees will be provided detailed training and train
officers how to access and interpret the information.
NIBIN Firearms Examiners
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Estimated Costs Include (2 Public Safety Specialists):
Expenditure Year 1 Year 2
Purchase NIBIN Enforcement
Support System (NESS)
$ 160,000 $20,000
Purchase ESRI ArcGIS Crime
Analysts application
$5,000 $5,000
Full time Manager Salary and
Fringe Benefits
$ 117,600 $124,656
Full time Specialist Salaries
and Fringe Benefits
$ 100,800 $106,848
Training $ 16,000 $10,000
Mileage $ 4,000 $4,200
Office Equipment $ 2,000 $2,000
Security $ 15,000 $18,000
Admin & Overhead costs $ 35,000 $38,000
Other directs $ 10,000 $10,000
TOTAL $ 465,400 $ 338,704
At the end of year 1 & 2, a more detailed budget will be available with actual expenditures for
your review. A quarterly budget will be presented for your review in the months of April, July,
October, and January.
Members share in the total expense based on the percentage of population in their
municipality.
6-Year Anticipated Cost to municipalities:
% Population Population Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
GRANDVIEW 4.25%10,960 19,763$ 14,383$ 15,084$ 15,823$ 16,604$ 17,428$
GRANGER 1.43%3,690 6,654$ 4,842$ 5,078$ 5,327$ 5,590$ 5,868$
HARRAH 0.22%580 1,046$ 761$ 798$ 837$ 879$ 922$
MABTON 0.77%1,975 3,561$ 2,592$ 2,718$ 2,851$ 2,992$ 3,141$
MOXEE 1.71%4,405 7,943$ 5,781$ 6,062$ 6,360$ 6,673$ 7,005$
NACHES 0.43%1,110 2,002$ 1,457$ 1,528$ 1,603$ 1,682$ 1,765$
SELAH 3.19%8,235 14,849$ 10,807$ 11,333$ 11,889$ 12,476$ 13,095$
SUNNYSIDE 6.35%16,400 29,572$ 21,522$ 22,571$ 23,677$ 24,845$ 26,078$
TIETON 0.55%1,430 2,579$ 1,877$ 1,968$ 2,065$ 2,166$ 2,274$
TOPPENISH 3.44%8,870 15,994$ 11,640$ 12,207$ 12,806$ 13,438$ 14,104$
UNION GAP 2.56%6,595 11,892$ 8,655$ 9,076$ 9,521$ 9,991$ 10,487$
WAPATO 1.79%4,610 8,313$ 6,050$ 6,345$ 6,656$ 6,984$ 7,331$
YAKIMA 37.90%97,810 176,369$ 128,356$ 134,611$ 141,212$ 148,178$ 155,531$
YAKIMA CO.34.19%88,240 159,112$ 115,797$ 121,440$ 127,395$ 133,680$ 140,313$
ZILLAH 1.24%3,190 5,752$ 4,186$ 4,390$ 4,606$ 4,833$ 5,073$
TOTALS 258,100 465,400$ 338,704$ 355,210$ 372,628$ 391,011$ 410,413$
Application 160,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$
Staff 218,400$ 231,504$ 245,394$ 260,118$ 275,725$ 292,268$
Direct Costs 87,000$ 87,200$ 89,816$ 92,510$ 95,286$ 98,144$
465,400 338,704 355,210 372,628 391,011 410,413
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ARPA Rules Regarding Gun Violence Programs
Public Comment: Some commenters sought further
clarification on whether some of the enumerated eligible uses
are considered responsive to all crime, violent crime, or gun
violence. Treasury Response: Enumerated eligible uses that
respond to an increase in gun violence may be pursued in
communities experiencing an increase in gun violence
associated with the pandemic, specifically:
1) hiring law enforcement officials – even above pre-pandemic
levels – or paying overtime where the funds are directly
focused on advancing community policing 72 strategies for gun
violence,
2) additional enforcement efforts to reduce gun violence
exacerbated by the pandemic, including prosecuting gun
traffickers, dealers, and other parties contributing to the supply
of crime guns, as well as collaborative federal, state, and local
efforts to identify and address gun trafficking channels, and
3) investing in technology and equipment to allow law
enforcement to more efficiently and effectively respond to the
rise in gun violence resulting from the pandemic, for example
technology to assist in the identification of guns whose serial
numbers have been damaged.
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Chief Matthew Murray’s Office
“Make respect a part of every interaction.”
200 S 3rd Street | Yakima, WA 98901
Telephone: (509) 575-6211
March 8, 2022
City Manager Harrison,
I have read the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments Regional Crime Resource
Center proposal and there are several issues I believe I must address. These are the
same concerns I raised in our meeting with YVCog on January 31, 2022.
First, the concept of shared resources for large expense items (like the NIBIN
Enforcement Support System) is an excellent idea. As you know, I am hard-wired to be
a collaborator and believe that collaboration is one of the best means of tackling difficult
problems. It is why we have created a gang task force with the Yakima Sheriff and FBI
and also a domestic violence coalition in the city of Yakima. I strongly support some
elements of the proposal and have even forwarded an additional purchase proposal to
YVCOG for consideration in this effort (hardware and software that could be shared in
accessing child pornography evidence from cell phones). I would support joining the
collective effort to fund:
Purchase of NIBIN System - $160,000
Purchase of the Crime Analysts software (if needed and accessible by YPD
analysts) - $5,000
Training (if needed and accessible by YPD analysts and YPD officers) - $15,000
Mileage - $4,000
Purchase and training for the software I mentioned above with training for seve ral
officers throughout Yakima Valley - $60,000
However, I cannot support Yakima city taxpayers funding positions, equipment,
overhead, and security which are a duplication of our current staff.
In the summer of 2021, the Yakima City Council invested in a dramatic increase in the
size of our analyst team (adding two new positions to the current one analyst – creating
a team). They further funded the purchase of LPR camera technology to gather data
which will assist in identifying suspect vehicles associated with crime. These
investments are valued at approximately $320,000 (annually).
If the city were to agree to the proposal as written, we would be paying for police
analytical services for everyone except the city of Yakima. I would support paying our
portion of the cost for the items I listed in bullet points, and we are ready and excited to
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Chief Matthew Murray’s Office
“Make respect a part of every interaction.”
200 S 3rd Street | Yakima, WA 98901
Telephone: (509) 575-6211
work with all of the agencies in the valley and their analysts should they agree to
funding that portion of the proposal.
I am happy to clarify any of these points or answer questions as necessary.
Chief Murray
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