City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DON HAYES, CHIEF, ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the FY 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to combat Part I Crimes for the Police Department.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the FY 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to combat Part I Crimes for the Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve the submission of the grant application (applied on August 24, 2023) for up to $43,152; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program was first funded in
FY 2005, replacing the former Law Enforcement Block Grant (LEBG) program. The City has participated in these programs since 1997. JAG funding has been used in a variety of ways in the past and staff proposes this JAG grant would enable enhanced enforcement of Part I (serious) crimes. The Police Department addresses Part I crime trends through task force style investigations involving multiple officers.
DISCUSSION: Staff proposes to use the FY 2023 JAG funds to hire back officers to replace those temporarily assigned to investigate Part I crimes, including, but not limited to: robberies, larcenies, burglaries, weapon violations, and homicide response/investigations. The City most recently applied for and received JAG funding for this purpose in September 2021.
When needed, officers will be able to sign up to work on specific details targeting a specific area of the city where Part I crimes are occurring. Officers can also be selected from various units (i.e., patrol and investigations) that may work a task force or special detail and JAG funds are used to hire back officers with overtime pay to fill their normal assignments in patrol.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no required match from the City and, therefore, no additional fiscal impact from this grant. Alexandria’s share of funding was predetermined, using a formula developed by the grantor agency.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Easton McDonald, Assistant Chief, Field Operations Bureau, Police Department
Jamie Bridgeman, Captain, Police Department
Brenda D’Sylva, Division Chief, Police Department
Jennifer Simon, Fiscal Officer I, Police Department
Daniel Briel, Lieutenant, Traffic Safety Section, Police Department