Minutes 02/26/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 26, 2002 02 - 56 - Adoption of an ordinance to appropriate $233,127 in the Grant Fund for the Virginia Exile Program. The Department of Criminal Justice Services has awarded this grant to the City for the Commonwealth's Attorney's office, and it will be used for prosecuting persons charged with illegally possessing and using firearms and for promoting community awareness efforts aimed at deterring gun violence. There is a $23,313 local cash match required. Recommendation: · Adoption of an ordinance to appropriate $233,127 in the Grants Fund for the Virginia Exile Program. Purpose and Need: · The Department of Criminal Justice Services has awarded this grant to the City of Portsmouth for the Commonwealth's Attorney's office. · The Exile Program's primary focus is to reduce gun violence and homicides by: identifying and aggressively prosecuting persons charged with illegally possessing and using firearms using newly strengthened state law and bail procedures; and organizing community-based and community supported public awareness efforts aimed at deterring gun violence by highlighting enhanced enforcement/prosecution efforts and the certainty of punishment upon conviction. Financial Impact: · The Virginia Exile Grant was approved in the amount of $209,814 in general funds with a cash match in the amount of $23,313 for a total award of $233,127. This is the second year of a four-year grant requiring an annual renewal. The City has no obligation when the grant expires. Motion by Mr. Whitehurst, and seconded by Mr. Griffin, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $233,127 IN THE GRANTS FUND FOR THE VIRGINIA EXILE PROGRAM." Ayes: Benn, Griffin, Moody, Pitts, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 02 - 57 - Adoption of an ordinance to appropriate $81,946 in the Grants Fund for the Support Training Education Program (STEP) for Violence Against Women. This program employs a full-time special prosecutor and a victim advocate to assist female victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Because of the high number of incidents and the sensitivity of these cases, more time is needed to effectively prosecute them. The local cash match is $23,776 with an in-kind match of $8,895. Recommendation: · Adoption of an ordinance to appropriate $81,946 in the Grants Fund for the Support Training Education Program (STEP) for Violence Against Women. Purpose and Need: · The Criminal Justice Services Board has approved a STEP Grant for Violence Against Women in the amount of $49,275 in federal funds with a local cash match of $23,776 and an in-kind match of $8,895 for a total award of $81,946. · This program employs a full-time special prosecutor and a victim advocate to assist female victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Because of the high number of incidents and the sensitivity of these cases, more time is needed to effectively prosecute them.