TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to accept grant funding from the California Department of Justice Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program (SAPP); execute all contracts and documents; and amend the City Prosecutor Department's budget to reflect receipt of the SAPP grant funds and the expenditure of those funds.
DISCUSSION
The Domestic Violence Unit of the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office is a specialized unit that prosecutes all misdemeanor crimes between intimates, i.e., spousal abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse. The City Prosecutor's Domestic Violence Unit is committed to the aggressive prosecution of domestic violence crimes to hold abusers accountable for their crimes, protect the victims and thereby improve the quality of life for Long Beach residents.
To continue to meet the challenge of prosecuting these highly complex cases, this City Prosecutor's Office seeks to avail itself of certain grant funds through the California Department of Justice Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program (SAPP). To obtain these grant funds, the City Prosecutor will provide fron the present Department budget either an in kind match or actual cash funds equal to 20% of the grant funds received. When in place, the grant and matching funds will allow the City Prosecutor's Office tc continue funding the position of Domestic Violence lnvestigator for the 2006-2007 grant period.
Under a SAPP grant, the City Prosecutor's Office has funded a Domestic Violence Investigator since January 1997. Successful prosecution of domestic violence cases is highly dependent on thorough investigation. Often, victims and or witnesses, who may be emotionally or economically dependent on the abuser, are reluctant participants in the prosecution. Overcoming the difficulties presented by these cases is highly dependent on continuing investigative efforts. The Domestic Violence Investigator obtains victim and witness statements, takes photographs, serves trial subpoenas and sometime provides transportation for victims or witnesses. These efforts result in more convictions and less abuse for our residents.
A Resolution to accept SAPP grant funding accompanies this letter for your approval on July 1 1,2006 The attached Resolution authorizes the City Manager to complete a SAPP grant application and al paperwork and assurances required by the State of California. It also authorizes the amendment of tht City Prosecutor's budget to reflect the receipt and expenditure of these grant funds. The State o California has allocated in its budget the sum of Forty-Three Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-Sever Dollars ($43,557.00) as the SAPP grant amount for the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office. Pendins successful completion of paperwork and assurances, the California Department of Justice will award tht Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office these grant funds provided the City Prosecutor commits to expenc matching funds or an "in kind" contribution equal to at least 20 % of the grant funds amount or the sun of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve Dollars ($8,712.00). The combined state and cit! funding will provide the salary for one Domestic Violence Investigator together with a vehicle equipment, office space, and miscellaneous expenses for the duration of the grant period.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
NAME |
APPROVED: |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANAGER |