TITLE
Recommendation to adopt the City's Violence Prevention Plan - Safe Long Beach. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On July 5, 2011, the City Council voted to request the preparation of a comprehensive Citywide Violence Prevention Plan (VPP). In June 2012, the City received a planning grant from the California Endowment to fund the preparation of the Citywide Violence Prevention Plan.
The primary purpose of the VPP is to address and reduce all forms of violence, including domestic, child abuse, elder abuse, hate crimes, bullying, gang violence and violent crime. To accomplish this goal, staff devised a strategy that would help catalogue and identify gaps in violence prevention efforts currently delivered by the City, public agencies, school systems, and by community-based organizations. The first step in this process was to meet with all City Departments and to catalogue all of the efforts in violence prevention that are rendered by the City. This inter-departmental group met throughout the development of the VPP and played an active role in its development. In addition, an extensive public outreach plan was implemented to engage stakeholders throughout the City during the development process.
In January 2013, the City Manager invited community leaders, government agencies, the school district, hospital representatives, university delegates, community-based organizations, and faith-based leaders to serve on the Long Beach Violence Prevention Steering Committee. The Committee met quarterly for one year to oversee the planning process. At the same time, the City Inter-Departmental Team was developed and met quarterly to strengthen collaboration and coordination among City departments that prevent, intervene, or suppress violence. The Inter-Departmental Team provided input on the VPP and developed an inventory of City violence prevention programs.
From March to September 2013, the community-at-large participated in four community forums, in all quadrants of the City. Key community groups and constituencies attended twenty-two focus groups. There were over 1,200 participants in the community forums and focus groups. Another 450 community members completed the Violence Prevention Community Survey. The top outcomes and recommendations from the community input process are woven throughout the plan and are included in the VPP appendices.
In addition, staff analyzed US Census data, Long Beach Police Department crime statistics, City of Long Beach Code Enforcement cases, Los Angeles County Department of Probation statistics, Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services cases, Long Beach Unified School District data, and Adult Protective Services cases. This data was used to create fifty-two Geographic Information System (GIS) maps that illustrate the key areas which need, and will benefit from, violence prevention strategies.
In Fall 2013, staff inventoried city, county, community, and faith-based programs focused on alleviating the impact of violence in Long Beach. This inventory served as a gap analysis tool, which evolved into a citywide Community Resource Guide available online. Lastly, as part of the planning process, staff researched and cataloged evidence-based programs for violence prevention.
The Citywide Violence Prevention Plan - Safe Long Beach is a strategic plan for action to prevent violence in families, schools, and communities. Cities with a comprehensive VPP are eligible to receive grants from the Federal Government to help those cities combat violence. Upon adoption of the City's Violence Prevention Plan - Safe Long Beach, the City will be in a strategic position to apply for state and federal funding.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard Anthony on April 21, 2014 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 23, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Violence Prevention Plan assesses how the existing citywide resources, services, and programs are being utilized. To coordinate these resources in an effective and efficient manner, the plan calls for a Plan Coordinator. Grant funding is budgeted to support this position through the end of Fiscal Year 2014. Continued funding for this position is anticipated through future grant opportunities. By adopting this plan, the City could be eligible to receive federal and state grant funds.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER