LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: Grover C. Robinson, IV, Mayor
SUBJECT:
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FY 2019 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM: LOCAL SOLICITATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
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The City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the acceptance of the 2019 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program: Local Solicitation, between the City of Pensacola and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs in the amount of $25,219 upon award of grant. Further, that City of Council approve the supplemental budget resolution appropriating the grant funds.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
The Pensacola Police Department (PPD) will be submitting a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Assistance, under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula (Local Solicitation) to support efforts in safety patrol vehicles/golf carts.
The grant will provide golf carts that will be used in the two high schools PPD have in the city limits of Pensacola.
High School Golf Carts
Washington High School encompasses 100 acres, 26 buildings, a stadium with practice fields, and approximately 2,000 students and faculty. Washington High School also shares its property with Workman Middle School and Holmes Elementary School. Workman Middle School is the only middle school in the city limits. Workman Middle School has a large recess field, 10 buildings and approximately 1,015 students and faculty. Holmes Elementary has two playgrounds, eight buildings and approximately 555 students and faculty.
Pensacola High School encompasses 33 acres, 10 buildings, a stadium with practice fields, and approximately 1,550 students and faculty.
The golf carts will provide rapid access on school grounds in case of emergency and allow uniformed officer(s) to proactively patrol around the assigned schools and properties therein. The golf carts will also be used for the schools’ sporting events such as football, baseball, track/field and soccer. The golf carts will be invaluable at these events for expeditious response to issues before, during, and after the games.
The tragedy that occurred at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 has forever changed the law enforcement perspective to on-property response of an active shooter. Marjorie Stoneman Douglas had a golf cart assigned to their School Resource Officer (SRO). When the SRO could not be located, faculty members commandeered the golf cart and rescued/evacuated injured students to medical personnel on the scene, saving numerous young lives. If ever needed, the police golf carts would be accessible for that type of incident.
Both high schools are also designated hurricane shelters. The School Resource Officers will provide police presence 24/7 during any shelter activation. The golf carts will be extremely useful during this time.
Special Events Golf Carts
The City of Pensacola glorifies its prime location on the Gulf Coast by providing various outside activities/events all year around. The Pensacola Police Department provides safety support for over 125 events every year through uniform presence and traffic control. The special events golf carts would be used during these events to include: competition runs, festivals, political visits/rallies, and the various parades which are held throughout the year. The special events golf carts will be used to respond to incidents during said events and activities. It will allow the uniformed officer(s) to proactively and efficiently patrol within the perimeters of the activities and events.
The JAG Program blends the previous Byrne Formula and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEGB) Programs (under Title XI-Department of Justice Reauthorization) to provide agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are most needed. The JAG Program provides states, tribes and local governments funding to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based upon local needs and conditions. Matching funds are not required under the JAG Program.
Among the grant requirements are that the Pensacola Police Department notify City Council of its intended use of the grant and to allow the citizens an opportunity to comment prior to the application submission.
PRIOR ACTION:
None
FUNDING:
Budget: $25,219
Actual: $25,219
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimated grant award for the FY19 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Program Local Solicitation is $25,219, based on the 2019 Florida Local JAG Allocations. 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.
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes
1/13/2020
STAFF CONTACT:
Keith Wilkins, City Administrator
Tommi Lyter, Chief of Police
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Grant Project Summary
2) Grant Award 2019-DJ-BX-0898
3) Grant Adjustment Notice
4) Supplemental Budget Resolution
5) Supplemental Budget Explanation
PRESENTATION: No end