TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a new agreement between the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Unified School District, to staff School Resource Officers, in an amount not to exceed $456,017, with an estimated net cost to the City’s General Fund of $114,004. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested for the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) to enter into a new agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) for the school year starting on August 29, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Two School Resource Officers (SROs) will be assigned to the high school campuses and will be available throughout the term of this agreement on Tuesday through Friday each week, except on days when students are not present. Since 2014, LBUSD has increased their share of the agreement to 75 percent of the total cost. LBUSD will reimburse the City of Long Beach (City) for law enforcement costs, including indirect costs up to their maximum share of the agreement of $342,013. The City’s share is 25 percent, or $114,004. For this year, the LBUSD has requested two officers, as opposed to four requested in prior years.
SROs provide LBUSD with an additional resource to reduce and prevent student-related problems. LBPD began the program in 1999 as a preventative 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 that serves to meet the City Council's stated priority to further reduce crime, particularly violent crime.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica J. Kilaita on September 24, 2018 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on October 4, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 23, 2018, to ensure the contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of services provided under this agreement is approximately $456,017, and is included in the Fiscal Year 2019 Adopted Budget in the General Fund (GF) in the Police Department (PD). Under the terms of this contract, LBUSD will reimburse the City approximately $342,013 (75 percent) which will be deposited into the General Fund (GF) in the Police Department (PD). The net General Fund subsidy of 25 percent for this agreement is approximately $114,004. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER