City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 7, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: RAUL PEDROSO, INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE
DOCKET TITLE
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application for the U.S. Department of Justice Community Police Development Microgrant for Community Violence Intervention.
ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) Community Police Development Microgrant for the Community Violence Intervention.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the grant application for $175,000 to the USDOJ; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: Community Policing Development (CPD) is a competitive grant program designed to advance the practice of community policing by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.
Under the CPD - Microgrants solicitation, local, state, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies may propose demonstration or pilot projects that offer creative ideas to advance crime fighting, community engagement, problem solving, or organizational changes to support community policing in one of the following areas:
• officer recruitment, retention, and workforce diversification
• underserved populations
• building trust and legitimacy with the community
• hate crimes and domestic terrorism
• community violence intervention
• open topic area
DISCUSSION: The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is requesting approval to apply for the USDOJ Community Police Development Microgrant, subcategory Community Violence Intervention. Funding, if awarded, would provide APD capacity to develop and enhance programs that engage neighborhoods and other APD stakeholders in violence reduction efforts. For example, some grant funding will support the purchase of equipment such as message boards and trailers that contribute to positive community interventions.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no required match from the City and, therefore, no additional fiscal impact from this grant. The award period is two years.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Brenda D’Sylva, Division Chief, Police Department