Laserfiche WebLink
August 25, 2015 <br /> <br />15 - 309 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant in the amount of $200,874 <br />from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and required local <br />matching funds of $73,470 from the Portsmouth Public Schools and appropriating <br />the total amount of $274,344 in the FY 2015-16 Grants Fund for use by the <br />Portsmouth Police Department in connection with the School Resource Officer <br />Program. <br /> Vision Principles: Lifelong Learning Community, Neighborhoods and <br /> <br />a Sense of Community, and Efficient, Responsive Government. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> <br /> The Portsmouth Police Department (PPD) has been awarded grant funding in the <br />amount of $200,874.00 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to <br />provide funds for the SRO program. <br /> <br /> The SRO/SSO grant total amount was awarded in six (6) individual grant awards <br />of $33,479.00 each. (See attached award letters) <br /> <br /> The six (6) award numbers and associated schools are as follows:16- <br />A3221FR16 – I. C. NORCOM High School; 16-A3220FR16 – CHURCHLAND High <br />School; 16-A3219FR16 – WOODROW WILSON High School; 16-A3218FR16 – <br />CHURCHLAND Middle School; 16-A3217FR16 – CRADOCK Middle School; 16- <br />A3216FR16 – WILLIAM E. WATERS Middle School. <br /> <br /> The required local match for the DCJS grant funding is $73,470. The Portsmouth <br />Public Schools have agreed to provide the local match. Both the grant funding and the <br />local match (a total of $274,344) must be appropriated to the Grants Fund. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> In an effort to continue to enhance the relationship with the Portsmouth Public <br />Schools (PPS), the PPD will be placing SROs in the above listed schools. The officers' <br />presence will help bolster the relationship between students and the police through <br />positive interactions and respectful encounters. Furthermore, by introducing proactive <br />SROs to ensure school safety and security, students and faculty may remain focused <br />on and committed to learning and teaching. All in an environment free of criminal <br />incidents, disruptive behavior and distractions. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> <br /> This grant requires a cash match of $73,470.00 by the City of Portsmouth, which <br />will be provided by the Portsmouth Public Schools for these additional SRO positions. <br />The cash match percentage is determined by the Virginia Department of Education’s <br />“2014-2016 Composite Index of Local Ability-to-Pay”. <br /> <br /> The PPD/PPS SRO Program MOU (under development) will outline and <br />determine continuation funding obligations once the grant has ended. <br /> <br />Staff Recommends: <br /> <br /> Adoption of an ordinance to accept and appropriate $274,344 of SRO/SSO Grant <br />Program and match funding for use by the PPD in connection with the PPD/PPS SRO <br />program. Vision Principles: Lifelong Learning Community; Neighborhoods and a Sense <br />of Community and Efficient, Responsive Government. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> The Chief of Police or his designee will provide grant management and oversight. <br /> <br /> The PPD/PPS SRO Program MOU will be finalized. <br /> <br />Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,874 FROM THE <br />VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES AND REQUIRED <br />LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS OF $73,470 FROM THE PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC <br />SCHOOLS AND APPROPRIATING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $274,344 IN THE FY <br />2015-16 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE PORTSMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT <br />IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Wright <br />Nays: None <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />