City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DON HAYES, CHIEF OF POLICE
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the 2024 Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program for the Alexandria Police Department.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Grant Application to the 2024 Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for Firearm Violence and Prevention Grant Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve the submission of the grant application (applied on November 6, 2023) for up to $250,000; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is offering a grant opportunity through the Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention (FVIP) Grant Program to support local efforts to develop, implement, expand and/or enhance local violent crime funding and strategic planning coordination. The Firearms Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2022 for the sole purpose of supporting gun violence intervention and prevention programs.
DISCUSSION: The Alexandria Police Department proposes to use funding from this grant, if awarded, to hire a contractual program coordinator who will work with existing City agencies and departments to formalize the Beat 34 Interagency Work Group. This multidisciplinary Work Group is a partnership of senior department and agency decision makers who convene on a regular basis to coordinate systemic responses to criminal justice, community and human service issues in APD’s Beat 34, which is essentially the southwest corner of Alexandria. Beat 34 includes Duke Street west of Cameron Run to Interstate 395. South Pickett Street, Van Dorn Street and South Reynolds Street are all within Beat 34. Part I (violent) crime in Beat 34 has increased 67% in 2023 from 2022 with 21% of the City’s total Part I crime occurring in this beat area. (APD has 16 beats citywide.) Part II crime (generally less serious offenses) has increased 179% in 2023 in Beat 34.
Thus far, the Work Group has been meeting on an ad hoc basis and largely focused on the South Reynolds Street corridor. It currently includes staff from the following departments and agencies: Police, Sheriff’s Office, Community & Human Services, Housing, Code Administration, Alexandria City Public Schools, and the City Manager’s Office. If funding is awarded, the Work Group will likely expand.
The Work Group is intended to function as a primary forum for facilitating communication and coordination around policies, programs and operations. The Work Group seeks to break down silos and foster a system perspective among criminal justice and human service agencies serving the City. The purpose of the Work Group is to identify cross-cutting criminal and juvenile justice issues, promote systemwide accountability as the City implements coordinated solutions, and facilitate cooperation that will improve public safety and delivery of justice-related and other human services.
A coordinator would be tasked with developing and implementing a unified plan among participating agencies, organizing meetings and action plans. The position would also develop accountability indicators to measure outcomes over time. In addition to this central coordinating role, a coordinator would also serve as a community liaison to address quality of life issues facing this area of Alexandria.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no required match from the City and, therefore, no additional fiscal impact from this grant. If awarded, APD would seek to hire a contractual employee and may coordinate with a local non-profit. This is a competitive grant.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Easton McDonald, Assistant Chief, Field Operations Bureau, Police Department
Jerry Newcomb, Captain, Police Department
Brenda D’Sylva, Division Chief, Police Department
Jennifer Simon, Fiscal Officer I, Police Department