LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: D.C. Reeves, Mayor
SUBJECT:
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PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS - NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA (PSN-NDFL) PROGRAM - ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT NO. 15PBJA-21-GG-03010-GUNP FOR AWARD NO. B8001: SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
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RECOMMENDATION:
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That City Council accept the Project Safe Neighborhoods - Northern District of Florida (PSN-NDFL) Program, Grant No. 15PBJA-21-GG-03010-GUNP for Award# B8001: Surveillance Cameras in the amount of $56,500.00 based on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Office of Criminal Justice Grants (OCJG). Further, that City Council authorize the Mayor to take the actions necessary to execute and administer this grant, consistent with the terms of the grant and the Mayor’s Executive Powers as granted in the City Charter. Also, that City Council adopt a supplemental budget resolution appropriating the grant funds.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
The Pensacola Police Department (PPD) submitted a grant application to Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Office of Criminal Justice Grants (OCJG) to support the purchasing of five (5) surveillance cameras.
FDLE’s Office of Criminal Justice Grants (OCJG) is seeking subrecipient applications for the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant program. This program furthers the DOJ mission and violent crime reduction strategy by providing support to state, local, and tribal efforts to reduce violent crime, including but not limited to felonious firearm crimes and criminal gang violence.
The grant money in the amount of $56,500.00 will be used to purchase five covert surveillance cameras. These cameras will be placed in a known high crime area. Almost 100 percent of criminal activity that occurs in this area is gang related and involves firearms. The cameras will be used to help with the identification of suspects and lead to their arrests.
The surveillance cameras will be placed in a high crime area in the city of Pensacola, which is located within Escambia County. Identifying suspects using video surveillance verses questioning the community relieves the fear of retaliation from the public. Evidence/scene analysis will be assisted with cameras through the recording of the criminal activity providing officers with additional means for identifying and arresting suspects. Because most crimes in this area are gang related, the funding to purchase surveillance cameras would focus on the investigation and prosecution of criminals engaged in high levels of violent crime, firearms offenses, and drug trafficking.
The new surveillance cameras would be an extension of the existing city camera network in place in this area. Installation would leverage existing infrastructure for connectivity wherever possible and expand with new infrastructure at proposed pole locations. The cameras will focus on proactive policing through technology plus evidence/scene analysis.
The procurement method will be purchasing the camera bundles from an existing vendor who has already sold the city approximately 150 of the same cameras that are in place and operational. These cameras would be added to the existing network system as the City establishes a standardized security camera infrastructure. The City of Pensacola will be responsible for any costs over the grant allocated amount.
PRIOR ACTION:
None
FUNDING:
Budget: $ 56,500.00
Actual: $ 11,300.00
X 5___
$ 56,500.00
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimate grant award for the Project Safe Neighborhoods -Northern District of Florida (PSN-NDFL) Program: State is $56,500.00 based on the FDLE Office of Criminal Justice Grants (OCJG). Projects to be funded from this grant award do not require a local match. Approval of the supplemental budget resolution will appropriate funding for this grant.
LEGAL REVIEW ONLY BY CITY ATTORNEY: Yes
9/21/2023
STAFF CONTACT:
Kerrith Fiddler, City Administrator
Eric Randall, Chief of Police
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Project Safe Neighborhoods -Northern District of Florida
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
2) Award Grant No. 15BJA-21-GG-03010-GUNP
3) Supplemental Budget Resolution No. 2023-061
4) Supplemental Budget Explanation No. 2023-061
PRESENTATION: No end