TITLE
Recommendation to authorize the Long Beach City Prosecutor and City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, including any amendments, to receive and expend grant funding from the Board of State and Community Corrections and the Los Angeles County Office of Diversion and Re-Entry-in an amount not to exceed $700,000 for the period May 1, 2017, and ending September 30, 2019; and increase appropriation in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the City Prosecutor Department (CP) by an amount not to exceed $200,000, and in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Long Beach Police Department by an amount not to exceed $500,000, to implement a pre-booking diversion program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach City Prosecutor and the Long Beach Police Department in collaboration with Los Angeles County have been selected to participate in a pilot project known as the LA County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LAC LEAD). The LAC LEAD pilot project is made possible by a grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for the purpose of improving public safety and reducing recidivism by persons suspected of low-level drug offenses and/or prostitution.
Two years ago, the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office and the Long Beach Police Department began a court diversion program designed to assist women engaged in prostitution-related offenses who were determined to be likely victims of sex trafficking. Many of the women also suffered from varying degrees of drug or alcohol addiction. The diversion program, known as the Long Beach Directed Services Program (DSP), is partially funded by the My Sister's Keeper GRIP7 grant funds, which is slated for elimination in the current State budget.
The DSP became recognized as an innovative approach to the growing problem of sex trafficking, bring together prosecutors and law enforcement. In lieu of traditional criminal justice punishment, those detained for prostitution are referred to carefully chosen service providers who provide trauma-informed care, including counseling, employment assistance, tattoo removal, housing, and numerous other services. This model enhances public safety by reducing recidivism and the associated gang activity which is often the source of human trafficking.
In 2016, the BSCC requested proposals for the LEAD grant to start a pilot program in areas impacted by low-level substance abuse and prostitution. Because Long Beach police and prosecutors already have a strong collaboration and working model in DSP, representatives of Los Angeles County approached Long Beach to partner on the LEAD grant application. With the Los Angeles County Office of Diversion and Re-Entry as primary applicant, a proposal was submitted to the BSCC involving two prosecuting agencies (Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office and Los Angeles District Attorney's Office) and two law enforcement agencies (Long Beach Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department). Los Angeles County's joint application was selected, and a total award of $5,900,000 was approved by the BSCC, with the majority of funds directed to service providers.
The LAC LEAD pilot project will be modeled on the program in Seattle, Washington. (For information about the Seattle model can be found at: http://leadkingcounty.org/.) LEAD will focus on a catchment area that includes areas in North Long Beach, Compton, Lynwood, and parts of unincorporated Los Angeles County. Attachment "A" is a map of the catchment area selected.
Under the LAC LEAD pilot program, pre-booking diversion will be offered to low-level offenders meeting certain criteria. The diversion will consist of on-site social workers and various other providers to provide intensive community-based social services and case management with a goal to reduce recidivism, improving the health of persons assisted, and increasing public safety in the communities in the catchment area.
At the request of the BSCC, planning for LAC LEAD has already begun. Given the success of the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office in other diversion programs, such as Promising Adults, Tomorrow's Hope (PATH), Community Service Worker (CSW) Program, and Parent Accountability and Chronic Truancy (PACT) programs, and the experience of Long Beach Police Department which already has close working relationships with social service providers, LEAD is expected to meet or exceed its goals. BSCC will provide oversight for the program and CSULB has been assigned as the program evaluators, while the LA County Office of Diversion and Re-Entry will serve as grant administrator.
This matter was reviewed by Principal Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on June 12, 2017.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
This adjustment to the FY 2017 budget is requested to reflect the acceptance of this grant award. City Council action is requested no later than June 20, 2017, so that Long Beach can begin implementing the LAC LEAD as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to receive $700,000 in grant funds that are not currently budgeted. Therefore, an appropriation increase in the City Prosecutor Grants Fund (SR 120) by $200,000 in FY 2017 in the City Prosecutor Department (CP) and in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the City Prosecutor Department (CP) by $200,000 and in the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) by $500,000 is requested as part of the recommended action. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DOUGLAS P. HAUBERT
CITY PROSECUTOR
ROBERT LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE