TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to accept funding from the California Department of Justice Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program (SAPP), and execute all contracts and documents related to it.
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 Molence 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 Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program (SAPP). To obtain these grant funds, the city must
provide either an in kind match or actual cash funds of 20% of the grant amount. When in place,
the grant and matching funds will allow this office to continue funding the position of Domestic
Violence lnvestiqator for the 2005-2006 grant period.
Under a SAPP grant, the City Prosecutor's Office has used 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.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $39,509,...
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