City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 2, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DON HAYES, CHIEF OF POLICE
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Justice 2023 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Office, School Violence Prevention Program grant.
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ISSUE: Grant application for the 2023 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS) Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) grant.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the submission of an application to the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) which is due on May 10, 2023 for up to $500,000, over three years, with a 25 percent local match; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this funding opportunity is to assist in improving security and safety measures at schools. The grant aims to reduce crime, increase public safety, and support law enforcement agencies and communities working together. This includes measures such as school-police coordination, installation of deterrents like metal detectors, locks, and lighting, training for law enforcement to prevent and respond to school violence, and installation of technology for expedited notification of law enforcement during an emergency, such as a real-time command center. The maximum allowable award is $500,000, over 3 years, with a 25% local match requirement. A total of 235 awards are expected to be given nationwide.
DISCUSSION: With this funding, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) seeks approval to acquire and establish a Real Time Command Center (RTCC) to enhance safety and security measures in educational institutions. The RTCC utilizes advanced technology to provide law enforcement with immediate access to surveillance footage captured by the existing 1,406 surveillance cameras present within Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). By integrating with a school's existing surveillance systems, the RTCC can transmit live video feeds directly to the police department without disrupting the school's equipment, staff, or workflow. This enables first responders to efficiently respond to potential threats, providing real-time information to pinpoint the exact location and nature of the threat for a more effective and appropriate response.
Furthermore, the Real Time Command Center (RTCC) also provides the capacity for all ACPS staff to send out emergency "SOS" alerts directly to the police department. This allows school resource officers and other first responders to be immediately notified in the event of an emergency, providing them with crucial information that can help them respond more effectively. By allowing for quick and direct communication between school staff and law enforcement, the RTCC can help ensure that potential threats are addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible, potentially saving lives when seconds count.
APD and ACPS staff have been collaborating on this opportunity, with both parties expressing their conceptual support for this initiative. Private academic institutions are also being engaged, with some already demonstrating interest in partnering with APD. If grant funds are awarded, APD and ACPS will work together to develop a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the proper use of this technology.
FISCAL IMPACT: This competitive grant opportunity offers a maximum award of $500,000, distributed over three years, and requires a local match of 25%. Based on vendor research, an RTCC solution can be secured through a leasing model at an annual cost of $150,000. If the police department secures the maximum grant amount of $500,000, and the City contributes the mandatory local match of $125,000, the department will have sufficient funds to acquire and maintain an RTCC for a duration of four years.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Easton McDonald, Assistant Chief, APD, Field Operations Bureau
Dennis Andreas, Acting Assistant Chief, APD, Investigations Bureau
Courtney Ballantine, Captain, Community Oriented Policing Section
Brenda D’Sylva, Division Chief, APD, Finance Division
Jason North, Lieutenant, APD, Program Manager