Minutes 08/25/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 25, 2026 “ORDINANCE: (1) ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,724 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS TO THE FY 2027 GRANTS FUND BUDGET; (2) APPROPRIATING $28,575 FROM THE FUND BALANCE OF THE GENERAL FUND TO THE FY 2027 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO SERVE AS THE REQUIRED LOCAL MATCH; AND (3) TRANSFERRING SAID $28,575 FROM THE FY 2027 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE FY 2027 GRANTS FUND BUDGET, ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING ONE FULL-TIME CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNER POSITION FOR THE PORTSMOUTH COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD.” 26-195e: Adoption of an ordinance appropriating $600,000 to provide funding to the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office for the salaries and benefits of five (5) full-time School Resource Officers. Background:  The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services formerly provided a grant to the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office to fund most of the cost of School Resource Officer positions.  The grant lasted for four years and no additional funding for FY 2027 has been approved by DCJS.  Based on discussions between Portsmouth Public Schools and the Sheriff’s Office, the cost of funding five School Resource Officers to be based in the City’s elementary schools will be approximately $600,000.  The Sheriff’s Office had savings of approximately $684,000 from the funds that were appropriated to its portion of the FY 2026 General Fund Budget. Those funds reverted to Fund Balance at the end of the last Fiscal Year. Therefore, they are available for appropriation in the FY 2027 General Fund Budget to fund School Resource Officer positions.  The purpose of the funding proposed by this ordinance is to reduce violence involving school-age children by having five School Resource Officers at Portsmouth Elementary Schools. Discussion:  Portsmouth Sheriff's Office (PSO) deputies assigned to SRO positions are required to attend DCJS approved SRO training. In addition to basic law enforcement training, SRO officers are trained to respond to active threat scenarios at schools, and how to affectively 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 ordinances. o 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:  $600,000 will be appropriated from the Fund Balance of the General Fund to the FY 2027 General Fund Budget. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Strategic Pillar#4: Safe, Connected, and Thriving Community.