Minutes 08/09/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

August 9, 2022 “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,421,282 AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2023 GRANTS FUND FOR USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT.” Ayes: Barnes, Battle, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Whitaker, Woodard, Glover Nays: None 22 - 240 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting grant funds in the amount of $471,984 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and appropriating said amount in the FY 2023 Grants Fund Budget for the purpose of funding six full-time school resource officers from the Sheriff’s Office. Background:  Over the past twelve (12) months there has been an increase in violence involving school age children in Portsmouth. To curb the violence, the Portsmouth Sheriff agreed to provide deputies to fill SRO vacancies at all three Portsmouth City High Schools and Middle Schools, and to provide two deputies as rovers. Discussion:  Portsmouth Sheriff's Office (PSO) deputies assigned to SRO positions will be required to attend DCJS approved SRO training. In addition to basic law enforcement training, SRO officers will be trained to respond to active threat scenarios at schools, and how to effectively interact with school staff and students. PSO deputies assigned to SRO duty will: Build working relationships with the school staff, students, and parent groups o Be positive role models o Provide law enforcement and security services to the school and school grounds o during regular school hours Work closely with school administration to enforce state laws and local o ordinances Investigate criminal activity o Make appropriate referrals to juvenile authorities or other governmental agencies o Provide input regarding crime prevention programs, emergency crisis planning, o and building security Provide training for school personnel in handling crisis situations o Conduct security inspections to deter criminal or delinquent activities o Ensure school administration safety by being present during school o Financial Impact:  The Department of Criminal Justice Services has waived the local match requirement for FY2023. \[See attached memo\] Recommended Action:  Adoption of ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the necessary budgetary adjustments. In addition, the Program Director will provide grant management and oversight. 1. Steve Carroll, 3112 Riveredge Drive, asked if the resource officers will be trained law enforcement officers. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Dr. Whitaker, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $471,984 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2023 GRANTS FUND BUDGET FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING SIX FULL-TIME SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS FROM THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE.”