To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to Apply for, and Accept, Funding Made Available by the Board of State and Community Corrections through the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to apply for, and accept, grant funding made available by Board of State and Community Corrections through the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for submittal to the Board of State and Community Corrections.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Board of State and Community Corrections
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office (“HCDA”) is requesting permission to submit a application for funding made available by the Board of State and Community Corrections (“BSCC”) through the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program (“HCDA ORTVP”). This grant funding opportunity is to address organized retail theft within the community by employing a vertical prosecution team model, with the primary role being to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft crimes under California Assembly Bill 178. Under the grant, a vertical prosecution team shall consist of at least one (1) dedicated prosecutor and investigator. HCDA proposes an additional team member consisting of an administrative analyst position. The vertical prosecution approach ensures victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers involved in a case have one point of contact from the beginning of the process through the end. The HCDA ORTVP will also explore and develop stronger diversion education programs and provide prevention outreach to the retail community. Creation of a data collection, reporting and evaluation plan is a required component of the grant, and the HCDA proposes this aspect be administered by Cal Poly Humboldt, California Center for Rural Policy.
The 3-year project strategy focus deploy additional law enforcement and dedicated prosecution resources against organized retail theft within the community, whilst developing and implementing educational diversion accountability programs-all designed to reduce recidivism and protect local businesses.
The project will develop an ORTVP team designed to actively investigate organized retail theft in collaboration with major and local community businesses and citizens. Identifying organized retail theft offenders via active collaborative efforts and information sharing with community stakeholders will significantly enhance prosecution of more sophisticated offenders who pose a serious threat to the welfare of the community. Businesses and citizens targeted by criminals involved in organized retail theft often incur significant financial losses that directly impact operational costs. Increased costs can lead to closures of local businesses and loss of jobs, which results in diminished revenue, service and supply opportunities for the entire community. Over time these issues create a significant impact on the community in terms of sustainability and future growth. As financial stressors increase through the community, so too does the potential of serious and violent crime against community members, including our most vulnerable. Naturally, this may impact an individual’s ability to meet their own basic needs, such as food and shelter, as well as those of their family members.
Through implementation of the program resources, the efforts of the HCDA ORTVP Program will provide training and education for team members, as well as victims of organized retail theft, in order to increase successful prosecutions of organized retail theft crimes. Simultaneously, the HCDA ORTVP Program will provide opportunity for low-level, first-time offenders to be steered away from the criminal courts via a specialized diversion program.
If awarded, BSCC will fund a monthly budget cycle beginning October 1, 2023 and ending on June 1, 2027.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1100 205 (create sub account for grant award) |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
|
Funding Sources 1100 205 (create sub account for grant award) |
FY23-24 Projected* |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
$559,091 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
HCDA is applying for a 3-year grant for a total of Two Million Fifty Thousand Dollars ($2,050,000.00). There is no additional general fund contribution requested. If awarded, HCDA will bring forward a supplemental budget request to appropriate the grant funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 and create a ten-digit organization key for tracking purposes. If awarded, this funding will be included in future annual budget cycles.
STAFFING IMPACT:
|
Position Title |
Position Control Number |
Monthly Salary Range (1A-E Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
Deputy District Attorney I-IV |
TBD |
TBD |
1.0 |
0.0 |
|
District Attorney Investigator |
TBD |
TBD |
1.0 |
0.0 |
|
Administrative Analyst I/II |
TBD |
TBD |
1.0 |
0.0 |
A 1.0 full time equivalent Deputy District Attorney I-IV, District Attorney Investigator and Administrative Analyst positions would be added to execute the grant program objectives and plan when awarded the HCDA ORTVP Program funding. If awarded, existing staffing allocations will be considered and additional allocations requested from the Board in the future.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents, supporting businesses, workforce development and creation of private-sector jobs, providing community-appropriate levels of services, and seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Board of State and Community Corrections
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing HCDA to apply for, and accept, grant funding made available by BSCC through the HCDA ORTVP Program. However, this alternative is not recommended as these grant funds would allow HCDA to address organized retail theft within Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to Apply for, and Accept, Funding Made Available by the Board of State and Community Corrections through the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A