TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a new agreement between the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Unified School District to staff School Resource Officers (SROs), for the period of September 4, 2013 through June 13, 2014, for an amount not to exceed $845,974, with a net cost to the City’s General Fund of $244,262. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is seeking to enter into a new agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) for the upcoming school year of September 4, 2013 through June 13, 2014.
LBUSD will reimburse the City for the Police Department’s costs, including indirect costs, to the limit of its available funding of $601,712. Up to five (5) Police Officers will be available throughout the term of this agreement on Tuesday through Friday each week, except on days when students are not present. The SROs will be assigned to LBUSD high school campuses. The cost of this service will be split between the City and LBUSD. LBUSD will incur 71 percent of the cost and the City’s share is 29 percent, or $244,262.
SROs provide LBUSD with an additional resource to reduce and prevent student-related problems. The LBPD began the program in 1999 as a preventive measure following the Columbine incident. Since its inception, LBUSD officials believe the high schools are safer and benefit from a low crime rate because of this partnership, which serves to meet the City Council's stated priority to further reduce crime, particularly violent crime.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson on August 19, 2013, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 20, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested for September 10, 2013 due to the start of the new school year on September 4, 2013.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of services provided under this agreement is $845,974, and is included in the Fiscal Year 2014 Proposed Budget for the Police Dep...
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