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Sheriff's Office and District Attorney recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Certifications and Assurances for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Fiscal Year 2021 application in order to accept the grant award of $15,480 to be utilized from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2022.
FUNDING: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives and mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams. The grant performance period runs twenty-four (24) months; however, entities are not able to apply for the funds until approximately twelve (12) months into the performance period causing the assurances to be approved retroactively.
The Sheriff’s Office is requesting $7,740 to cover training costs for seven (7) staff members to attend the annual California Narcotics Officer Association Conference. This training offers numerous unique workshops covering evolving drug trends, informant management, human trafficking, social media investigations, and other relevant topics.
The DA’s Office is requesting $7,740 to purchase less-lethal equipment, including less-lethal rounds, bean bag rounds, and less-lethal shotguns. Additionally, these funds will be used to have two staff members attend a less-lethal instructor course during the performance period of the grant.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), does require that the County notify the Board and make available a copy of the application to allow any public comment regarding the application. Also, DOJ requires the submission of signed Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government and the Certification of Compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 by County Counsel. The "Chief Executive" is defined as an individual who has authority to enter into agreements on behalf of the County.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Certifications and Assurances.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost for this program and no matching requirement. The grant application total is $15,480 from Justice Assistance Grant funds with $7,740 for both the District Attorney and the Sheriff's Office. Funding is included in the departments' FY 2021-22 budgets and will be included in FY 2022-23, if necessary.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Return the signed Certifications and Assurances to the Sheriff’s Office for submission to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety. JAG promotes coordination efforts amongst public safety service providers and the community to leverage resources, reduce service delivery constraints, and enhance public safety.
CONTACT
Undersheriff Bryan Golmitz and District Attorney Vern Pierson