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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/2009 19 JAG Application for Graffiti Abatement - Set Public Hearing Date [Byrne Justice Assistance Grant] BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 19 A For Meeting of April 7, 2009 ITEM TITLE: Set date of Public Hearing for April 21, 2009 to consider a JAG application for Graffiti Abatement, Graffiti Cameras and other Technology Updates. SUBMITTED BY: Sam Granato, Chief Kelly Rosenow, Deputy Police Chief CONTACT PERSON / TELEPHONE: Kelly Rosenow, 575 -6210 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The Yakima Police Department is applying for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $534,191 on behalf of all cities within Yakima County and the County government. The information included is only for the City of Yakima portion of what the funds will be used for. A more accurate report will be provided to the council prior to final submission. The grant will be used to contract with a company to paint out graffiti, as well as a company to photograph, document and track graffiti for court use in court proceedings. The funds will also be used to purchase "graffiti cameras" and other technology needs of the department. Resolution Ordinance Other (Specify) Contract Mail to (name and address): Phone: Funding Source APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: c , City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Set date for public hearing on April 21, 2009. BOARD / COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: FY 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Attachment #1: Program Narrative The City of Yakima has suffered the similar severe economic downturn as has its counterparts in the rest of the nation. The City of Yakima's main economic stability is dependant on agriculture and the associated employment it generates such as tourism and farm laborers. The City of Yakima has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to utilizing Justice Assistance funding in an effective and responsible manner and has had a longstanding relationship of fiscal sharing with Yakima County that has bettered the quality of life for citizens countywide. Project objectives that are linked to meaningful and measurable outcomes consistent with the goals of the Recovery Act, and the likelihood of achieving such outcomes, such as job creation and preservation. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES JAG funds will be utilized for the following: 1. Youth Crime /Graffiti Suppression 2. Technology Update NEEDS ASSESSMENT: 1. Youth Crime /Graffiti Suppression — The City of Yakima continues to struggle with youth gang activity and the associated crimes, such as graffiti, thefts, and narcotics trafficking. The Yakima Police Department has limited staffing to dedicate to graffiti or crimes committed by youth gang members. As noted in the following statistics while there are a number of graffiti reported incidences, but a very small percentage result in an arrest of the offender. The Yakima Police Department Gang Enforcement Team has identified approximately 500 current gang members and associates, mostly juveniles, in the City of Yakima. Most gangs are Hispanic members belonging to the Nortehos (North) or Surenos (South) Gangs. 1 These rival gangs continue an ongoing territorial feud resulting in increasing violence and crimes in Yakima. As reported by the Washington State Uniform Crime Report, violent crimes in Yakima are at a rate of 76.3 per 1,000 compared to the state rate of 43.3. In property crimes, Yakima is 69.5 per 1,000 compared to 40.0 for the state.' Juvenile crimes and arrests are also as high at an 86.6 arrest rate per 1,000 compared to a state rate of 49.1. As noted the following is a 2 -year comparison of the number of gang related crimes, reports, and shootings, which have occurred or investigated in the City of Yakima: Gang Arrests by Month 50 - 44 40 �7— -ti 34 5 30 — 27 27 20 2$._ 22 2 15 - �if� ` 16 ��i 12 r, O -- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 2008 2007 All Gang Cases by Month - 250 - 224 200 — g 150 - 14T 147 100 - 115 sgg 4 x 50 - + • " g 25 0 - –, Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month t 2008 -1 2007 l Washington Association of Sheriff's and Police Chief's, Uniform Crime Reports: Crimes per 1,000 (2007). 2 Washington State Office of Financial Management, Uniform Crime Reports: Counties Ranked by Rate of Juvenile Arrests (2005). 2 All Graffiti Cases by Month 120 100 .• :7 + 93 80 - 73 60 64 40 - 4141 '8 2 8 r 25 a 26 20 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Months ---.— 2008 — 2007 Graffiti Arrests by Month 30 27 25 20 \20 18 17 . 15 - 114 X14 ' -2 12 11 10 .. • 4 4 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Months 2008 2007 The City of Yakima has a significant and ongoing problem with graffiti, much of which is gang related. The effects of graffiti have resulted in significant fear and apprehension among community members, while damaging property and devaluing surrounding real estate that would otherwise be attractive to investors and prospective home owners. Furthermore, there has been a marked increase in tagger -based tagging. Taggers are considered non - violent and though they are not considered gang members, they are known to associate freely with our local street gangs. From January 2006 through July 2008, 1311 graffiti type cases of vandalism were filed with the Yakima Police Department; however this is a small percentage of the actual graffiti incidents documented throughout the City. Each year over 11,000 graffiti cases are reported to the City of Yakima Office of Neighborhood Development Services and the City of Yakima Code Administration. 3 The City of Yakima is one of the leaders in the nation in reported Auto Thefts. It has been found a large number of the vehicles stolen are by gang members who steal the vehicles either as gang initiation or to steal to "chop shops" for money. 2. Technology — A portion of the JAG funds will used to improve the Yakima Police Department's ability to communicate both by voice and by computer. Technology continues to rapidly change and expand and it is essential the Yakima Police Department continues to have funds available to communicate both internally and externally with other law enforcement agencies. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 1. Youth Crime /Graffiti Suppression - In past years, the Yakima Police Department has provided graffiti paint out services through the use of work crews comprised of Yakima City Jail inmates. Local businesses provided paint and equipment. Considerable amounts of graffiti were eradicated as a result of these efforts. A Corrections Officer was required to oversee the prisoners assigned to perform the actual painting however. Due to staffing limitations in the jail, Corrections personnel could only be supplied through the use of overtime. Since the summer of 2007, budget restrictions have precluded the use of City funds to pay overtime for this purpose and it has been necessary to discontinue the program. In lieu of overtime program funds will be used to graffiti cameras for installation in high crime areas common to youth crime and graffiti and to contract for a graffiti tracking system. The department will purchase a License Plate Reader to be installed on an uncover vehicle to locate stolen vehicles as they drive on the street, in parking lots, and other locations typically frequented by gang members. Recovery Act: In accordance with the requirements of the Recovery Act not only will the funds allow the Yakima Police Department to purchase the cameras to assist in the economy, but it will be necessary to contract with a local independent contractor for the installation and movement of cameras to different locations. Utilizing a local contractor for this service may very well be the difference between a struggling business surviving the tough economic times then having to close for lack of business. 4 The like hood of achieving the requirements of the Recovery Act to retain or create jobs due to this purchase is extremely high and can be tracked with the assistance of the contractor assigned to the re- location of cameras. Prior to purchase of the equipment the Yakima Police Department will require the vendor to supply a Statement of Fact as to whether this purchase will assist in their economic future. 2. Technology — The,ability to communicate the images from the surveillance cameras is important to the success of the program. It is our intent to ensure the technology has the ability for "live" viewing via internet, storage of the crime and offender to a hard drive, and the ability for communication and officers to view the crime as it occurs. The officers will need the ability to access the internet via their Mobile Data Terminals. In addition, the department will use the funds to replace portable radios, equip detectives with notebook computers, and upgrade desktop. computers. Recovery Act: In accordance with the requirements of the Recovery Act the purchase of technology will assist with an influx of funds into both the local and state economy. In addition, a monthly wireless cellular fee is included in the budget to assist with the ability to download or view `lives" the illegal acts of the offender. The like hood of achieving the requirements of the Recovery Act to retain or create jobs due to this purchase is extremely high and can be tracked with the assistance of the the technology is purchased from. Prior to purchase of the equipment the Yakima Police Department will require the vendor to supply a Statement of Fact as to whether'this purchase will assist in their economic future. 5 Organization Capabilities and Competencies The City of Yakima has a long and excellent financial history of complying with federal, state, and local grant requirements. As required by the Recovery Act guidelines, any and all expenditures associated with this fund will be monitored in a separate account with a unique financial number separate from existing or future federal grants.` " Timeline or project plan identifying when the goals and objectives will be completed. Youth Crime /Graffiti Project: 1. Purchase of surveillance cameras — within 45 days of the availability of Recovery Act funds. 2. - Contractor identification and Agreement— within 60 days of the availability of Recovery Act Funds. 3. Identification of high crime areas - within 30 days of arrival of cameras.. 4. Installation of cameras, — within 60 days of arrival of cameras. Dependant upon activity in those targeted high crime areas, the contractor will move the cameras "as needed ". Technology: 1. Purchase of portable radios — within 30 days of availability of Recovery Act funds. 2. Purchase of computers — within 30 days of availability of Recovery Act funds and continuous until funds are expended. 3. Wireless Cellular Access — within 60 days of cameras installation and continuous until funds are expended. 6 Performance Measures: Youth Crime /Graffiti Project: Performance measures will be tracked by the number of offenders arrested, the number of graffiti reports, and a pre and post measurement of crime statistics in the targeted high crime areas. Technology: Performance measures in this funding area are not as easily measured as in the Youth Crime /Graffiti Project. Many of the performance measures for this funding area are one time purchases and will be measured by the amount of technology we can purchase to assist in interjecting the Recovery Act funds back into the community. 7 FY 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Attachment #2: Budget A. Personnel: None B. Fringe Benefits: None C. Travel: None D. Equipment Item Computation Cost License Plate Reader 1 © $30,000 $30,000 Graffiti Cameras 5 © $6,000 $30,000 Hostage Negotiators Throw Phone 1 © $15,000 $15,000 Subtotal $75,000 Total $75,000 E. Supplies Portable Radios 10 @ $800 $8,000 Notebook Computers 10 @ $2,500 $25,000 GPS Graffiti Tracker Cameras 10 @ $150 $1,500 Graffiti Prevention Supplies: a. pencils 5,000 @ .30 = $1,500 b. pens 1,000 © .70 = $700 c. incentive items for GREAT $5,066 classes, including, lanyards, $7,266 wristbands, t- shirts, cups, etc Subtotal $75,266 Total $75,266 F. Construction: None G. Consultants /Contracts Item Cost Contractor to provide installation and relocation of surveillance cameras $18;000 a year x 4 years $72,000 Graffiti Tracker $20,000 a year x 4 years $80,000 Subtotal $120,000 Total $152,000 H. Other Costs Description Computation Cost Cellular data communications 10 vehicles @ $60.00 month x 48 months $28,800 Subtotal $28,880 Total $28,800 I. Indirect Costs: None Budget Summary Budget Category Amount A. Personnel 0 B. Fringe Benefits 0 C. Travel 0 D. Equipment $75,000 E. Supplies $75,266 F. Construction 0 G. Consultants /Contracts $152,000 H. Other $28,800 Total Direct Costs $331,006 I. Indirect Costs 0 • TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $331.066 Federal Request $331,066 Non - Federal Amount 0 BUDGET NARRATIVE A. PERSONNEL: No personnel will be hired under this program B. FRINGE BENEFITS: No fringe benefits will be funded under this program C. TRAVEL: There will be no travel funded under this program. D. EQUIPMENT: $75,000 - A request for $30,000 will fund a mobile License Plate Reader to be used to locate stolen vehicles. Many vehicles stolen in our city are stolen by gang members either to fund their criminal activities or for initiation into gang membership. A request of $30,000 will allow for the purchase of 5 graffiti cameras to be place in known locations of gang and graffiti activity. A request of $15,000 for the purchase of a hostage negotiations phone for use in SWAT situations to negotiate with those holding persons hostage. E. SUPPLHES: $75,266 — A request for $8,000 for the purchase of portable radios for use by patrol officers. A request of $10,000 for the purchase of notebook computers for use by detectives, gang officers, and ProAct to access information and to complete reports in the field. A request of $1,500 for the purchase of GPS cameras to be used to document graffiti and the pictures will be sent to a contractor who will categorize and assist in identification of known graffiti offenders, based on their work. A request of $7,266 to fund incentive and prevention materials for the department's Gang Resistance Education and Training program. F. CONSTRUCTION: None G. Consultants /Contractors: $152,000 - A request of $72,000 to hire a contractor for the installation and movement of graffiti cameras over the 4 year period of time. A request of $80,000 to contract with Graffiti Trackers for; a) train designated personnel to use digital, GPS camera(s), b) establish graffiti tracking protocols, c) train personnel on proper photo uploading procedures, d) Analyze all graffiti data and make graffiti intelligence available via the Graffiti Tracker system, e) provide access to the web based Graffiti Tracker program twenty -four hours a day, seven days a week until contract ends, f) provide training to all designated personnel on how to utilize the Graffiti Tracker system. H. OTHER: $28,800 — A request of $28,800 for the wireless cell phone data _ service to transmit information to patrol vehicles, detectives, gang officers, ProAct officers. • FY 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Attachment #3: Review Narrative This is to certify the City of Yakima's Governing Body was informed of the intent of Yakima Police Department to submit an application under the Recovery Act on Public Hearing Date (s) First notice: April 7, 2009 Published: Hearing Date: May Memorandum of Understanding (disparate jurisdiction): Attached FY 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Attachment #4: Abstract Applicants Name: City of Yakima Title: FY 2009 Yakima Police Department Byrne Memorial Program Goals: 1) To reduce gang graffiti by the installation and monitoring of cameras 2) To improve technology capabilities of the officer, detective, and street enforcement teams Strategies: 1) To provide graffiti surveillance cameras in targeted high crime areas to photograph the offender committing the crime of graffiti. 2) To contract with a business who can categorize, track, and identify gang graffiti to assist in the prosecution of offenders. 3) To improve technology capabilities of officers Deliverables: 1) within 120 days of funding to purchase and /or order equipment. Coordination Plans: The Deputy Chief of Police will coordinate purchases, negotiate contracts, and assign cameras to targeted areas. • • • •