To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Governing Body Resolution for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Governing Body Resolution No._____ (Attachment 1) authorizing the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to submit the grant proposal for the Byrne JAG program and if awarded, accept the grant funds and sign any documents required by Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for participation in the grant program; and
2. Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff or Deputy Director Financial and Support Services to execute all the necessary reimbursement claims, applications, contracts, and agreements and amendments thereto, in the name of the County of Humboldt, and all other documents required by the BSCC; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return completed and signed copy of the Governing Body Resolution to HCSO, Attention: Monika Fridley for submittal to funding agency.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC)
HCSO Byrne JAG State Budget Unit 1100-221920
DISCUSSION:
HCSO, on behalf of the Humboldt County Local Byrne JAG Steering Committee, will be submitting the grant application that benefits participants within the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (DTF) and HCSO’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). The DTF and DEU integrate state and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enhancing interagency coordination and intelligence and facilitates multi-jurisdictional investigations. While maintaining law enforcement programs as a priority, the Byrne JAG program also emphasizes prevention and education programs, as well as court, prosecution and defense strategies. Another requirement is to create a data collection, reporting and evaluation plan to be administered by Cal Poly Humboldt, California Center for Rural Policy.
The 3-year project strategy leverages the already existing partnership of county law enforcement agencies, DTF and DEU, in collaboration with the North Coast Rape Crisis Team (NCRCT). The focus of the project is to deploy additional law enforcement and prosecution resources against the most severe controlled substance and marijuana violators to reduce the amount of available narcotics and meth on the street, reduce the amount of black market marijuana grows, reduce the amount of violent crimes in the county by increasing the number of prosecutions for these offenders, and increase the training and intervention support provided to victims of the black market marijuana and narcotics industry.
The project will actively investigate the sale, manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances by focusing investigative efforts on complex drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and mid- to high-level drug traffickers. These offenders pose a serious short- and long-term threat to the community. The target population is primarily large DTOs that are more likely to have significant operational influence, human trafficking, ties to other drug activity and substantial community impact. Agencies will cooperatively investigate narcotics and black market marijuana-related crimes, including cultivation and trafficking, and arrest and prosecute perpetrators of these crimes.
If awarded, BSCC will fund a 36-month cycle beginning June 1, 2023 and ending on June 30, 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
HCSO is applying for a 3-year grant for a total of $660,000.00.
There is no additional general fund contribution requested. If awarded, HCSO will bring forward a supplemental budget request to appropriate the grant funds.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs while enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Board of State and Community Corrections
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could deny the request to, if awarded, accept the grant funds. This is not recommended as these grant funds are integral to the continuation of the county’s marijuana and narcotic control programs. In order to continue these programs without Byrne JAG grant funding the department would have to seek funding elsewhere or request additional monies from the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Byrne JAG Governing Body Resolution
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A