R99-123 AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION

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�- 1 DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM#99-54 July 26, 1999 To: Mayor Terry Howley and City Council From: James Williams, City Manager Michael Mowen, Chief of Police t��,wi Subject: 1999 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Purpose The purpose of this memorandum is to gain council acceptance for the 1999 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant(LLEBG) offered through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Funds for the LLEBG grant will be issued in October 1999 and all funds must be expended by the end of September 2001. Reference The LLEBG was established within the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Omnibus Fiscal Year 1999 Appropriations Act. The level of funding for this grant is $165,574 which ', would require a local cash match of$18,397. Funding may be used for any of the seven purpose areas which range from purchasing equipment to funding hireback patrols. The current grant funding is used to provide hireback patrols, enhance crime prevention by utilizing an in-house computer technician, purchase of computer upgrades for the CAD system and computer network enhancements. The new offering of block grant funds through the BJA will be expended in two program areas. The department will continue the use of grant funding ($30,000)to augment hireback patrols to enhance our efforts for community policing, bike patrols, gang supression and crime prevention. Additionally, grant funds will be utilized to purchase bike parts ($3,971) and a new mobile command post ($150,000) to replace the department's existing mobile unit. The police department utlizes a 1983 Shasta 24 foot motor home as a mobile command post. The motor home was designed for use as a recreational vehicle and not for command post functions. Although acceptable to provide limited police command and control functions it does not possess the necessary functionality to provide basic and extended capabilities for critical incidents and disasters. The present mobile unit is showing signs of deterioration both physically and mechanically. The Shasta has numerous places in the roof that are leaking and the vehicle interior is cracking and