TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a three-year agreement, and two one-year amendments, with WomenShelter of Long Beach (WSLB) to accommodate an advocate at the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Public Safety Building (PSB) to provide comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The WSLB provides comprehensive services including counseling, confidential shelter, and court assistance to victims of domestic violence. WSLB has a Long Beach-based office with 21 full-time, four part-time, and five on-call employees that service the Long Beach area. WSLB is a not-far-profit organization funded by public and private contributions. The LBPD and WSLB have worked as collaborative partners since 1999 to provide emergency response/services to victims of domestic violence.
To further this collaborative partnership, LBPD is requesting approval to execute an agreement to locate a WSLB domestic violence advocate on-site at the PSB. Having an advocate on-site provides many advantages. LBPD Detectives would have the ability to immediately engage the advocate to provide the victim any available services, including temporary confidential housing, restraining order preparation, or counseling. Another advantage is the ability of the on-site advocate to obtain access to police reports, limiting the need to send state-protected confidential documents off-site, reducing the risk of loss or damage to these documents. Advocates would also be available 24 hours, seven days a week, for emergency response to domestic violence incidents. LBPD and WSLB have an excellent working relationship and work closely in providing extensive services to victims of domestic violence. Having a domestic violence advocate on-site at the Police Department enhances this collaborative relationship and provides victims enhanced services and safety.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson on April 20, 2010 and Budget and Performa...
Click here for full text