TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to accept funding from the California Department of Justice Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program (SAPP); execute all related contracts and documents; and amend the City Prosecutor's budget to reflect the receipt and expenditure of SAPP funds and matching City funds as set forth in the attached staff report. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Domestic Violence Unit of the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office 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 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 Spousa Abuser Prosecution Program (SAPP). To obtain these grant funds, the city must provide either an ir kind match or actual cash funds of 20% of the grant amount. When in place, the grant and matcblnc funds will allow this office to continue funding the position of Domestic Violence Investigator for the 2005-2006 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 thorougt investigation. Often victims and or witnesses, who may be emotionally or economically dependent or 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 lnvestiqatoi 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 grantfunding was previously submitted and approve on July 12, 2005 Since that time, additional state SAPP grant funds have become available, however to take advantaqe of these additional funds a new authorizing Resolution must be passed. The attached Resolutior reflects the increase in grant funds from the Thirty-Nine Thousand Five Hundred and Nine Dollars ($39,509.00) this body approved in July 2005 to the increased amount of Forty-Three Thousand FivE Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars ($43,557.00). Pending successful completion of paperwork am assurances, the California Department of Justice will award the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office c grant of $43,557.00 in state funds provided the City commits to expend matching funds or an "in kind' contribution in the sum of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve Dollars ($8,712.00). ThE combined state and city funding will provide the salary for one Domestic Violence Investigator togethe with a vehicle, equipment, office space, and pay miscellaneous expenses for the duration of the gran period.
IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
(1) ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE SPOUSAL ABUSER PROSECUTION PROGRAM (SAPP) AND EXECUTE ALL CONTRACTS AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO IT.
(2) AMEND THE LONG BEACH CITY PROSECUTOR'S BUDGET TO REFLECT THE RECEIPT AND EXPENDITURE OF SAPP FUNDS AND MATCHING CITY FUNDS.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE
CALI FO RN I A DEPARTMENT OF JUST1 CE SPOUSAL
ABUSER PROSECUTION PROGRAM (SAPP) AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL
NECESSARY CONTRACTS AND CONTRACTS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY.
Respectfully Submitted,
THOMAS M REEVES
CITY PROSECUTOR