City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: RAUL PEDROSO, INTERIM CHIEF, ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the FY 2025 Combatting Hate Crimes Grant Program through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS).
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Grant Application to the FY 2025 Combatting Hate Crimes Grant Program through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the submission of an application to the DCJS Grant Program for up to $150,000; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The DCJS has accepted applications from localities across the Commonwealth that have established partnerships with institutions and nonprofit organizations that have been or are at risk of being targets of hate crimes. The localities must have an established relationship with institutions and/or nonprofit organizations. The Alexandria Police Department (APD) has formed partnerships with multiple faith-based and non-profit organizations within the City. APD has met with the leaders of seven of these facilities, all of whom are aligned with and supportive of the proposed objectives of this grant. The City Council considered and approved prior grant submissions in FY 2023 and FY 2024. Previously, APD partnered with Agudas Achim Congregation in FY 2023 and Beth El Congregation in FY2024.
If awarded, the allocated funds will be directed towards enhancing target-hardening measures, particularly related to infrastructure improvements. This strategic investment aims to deter and prevent criminal activities at the facility. The primary objective of this program is to reduce bias-motivated incidents by providing financial support to institutions and nonprofit organizations that may be vulnerable based on factors such as race, religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or nationality. The Alexandria Police Department will ensure that grant guidelines are followed for the projects that best fit the funding intent of the program.
The submission deadline for this grant application is October 7, 2024.
DISCUSSION: To formalize this collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be established. APD will have exclusive oversight of the grant funding and reporting responsibilities, utilizing these funds to bolster safety and security. The grant offers a maximum award of up to $150,000 per locality, and the grant period spans approximately nine months, from January 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant does not necessitate a matching contribution from the City, resulting in no additional fiscal impact on our budget.
ATTACHMENT(S): None
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Brenda D’Sylva, Division Chief, Police Department
Jennifer Simon, Fiscal Officer I, Police Department
Tony Moore, Lieutenant, Police Department