Laserfiche WebLink
November 22, 2022 <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AN ALLOCATION OF $42,432 FROM THE STATE <br />COMPENSATION BOARD TECHNOLOGY TRUST FUND AND APPROPRIATING <br />SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2023 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE PORTSMOUTH <br />CIRCUIT COURT CLERK’S OFFICE TO FUND TECHNOLOGY MAINTENANCE AND <br />IMPROVEMENTS.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Barnes, Battle, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Whitaker, Woodard, Glover <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />22 - 337 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant in the amount of $708,000 <br />from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and appropriating said funds in <br />the FY 2023 Grants Fund to provide funding to the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office for <br />the salaries and benefits of twelve full-time School Resource Officers. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> <br /> There has been an increase in violence involving school age children in <br />Portsmouth. To curb the violence, the Portsmouth Sheriff agreed to provide deputies to <br />serve as School Resource Officers. <br /> <br /> By Ordinance 2022-62 adopted on August 9, 2022, City Council accepted grant <br />funding in the amount of $471,984 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services. <br />This funding enabled the Sheriff to fill SRO vacancies at the City’s middle schools and <br />high schools and to provide for two roving SRO deputies. <br /> <br /> The Department of Criminal Justice Services has now provided a second grant in <br />the amount of $708,000. This will allow the Sheriff to provide an additional twelve (12) <br />School Resource Officers who will be placed in twelve (12) elementary schools. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> Portsmouth Sheriff's Office (PSO) deputies assigned to SRO positions will be <br />required to attend DCJS approved SRO training. In addition to basic law enforcement <br />training, SRO officers will be trained to respond to active threat scenarios at schools, and <br />how to affectively interact with school staff and students. PSO deputies assigned to SRO <br />duty will: <br /> Build working relationships with the school staff, students, and parent groups <br />o <br /> Be positive role models <br />o <br /> Provide law enforcement and security services to the school and school grounds <br />o <br />during regular school hours <br /> Work closely with school administration to enforce state laws and local <br />o <br />ordinances <br /> Investigate criminal activity <br />o <br /> Make appropriate referrals to juvenile authorities or other governmental agencies <br />o <br /> Provide input regarding crime prevention programs, emergency crisis planning, <br />o <br />and building security <br /> Provide training for school personnel in handling crisis situations <br />o <br /> Conduct security inspections to deter criminal or delinquent activities <br />o <br /> Ensure school administration safety by being present during school <br />o <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> <br /> The Department of Criminal Justice Services has waved the local match <br /> <br />requirement for FY2023. \[See attached memo\] <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> <br /> Adoption of ordinance. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> The Finance Department will make the necessary budgetary adjustments. In <br />addition, the Program Director will provide grant management and oversight. <br /> <br />Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />