SUBJECT: Ordinance approving an lnterlocal Agreement in support Category of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program - Houston Metropolitan Area Grant
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary) Adopt an ordinance approving an lnterlocal Agreement between Harris County and the City of Houston regarding participation in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program -Houston Metropolitan Area Grant.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an lnterlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and Harris County. The City of Houston, through HPD, applied for and received the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force -Houston Metropolitan Area Grant from the'Office of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division. This grant allows HPD to continue to reduce the exploitation of children by expanding the number of affiliate law enforcement agencies and personnel dedicated to investigating and prosecuting Internet-related crimes against children. The grant period begins March 1, 2017 and ends February 28, 2019.
The target geographical area of the grant program is the Houston Metropolitan Area, which includes incorporated as well as unincorporated areas of Harris County, Texas; and all areas of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller Counties. As the lead agency, HPD is entering into an lnterlocal Agreement with Harris County which will complete the special condition requirement of the grant for this year's funding. Pursuant to the lnterlocal Agreement, the City of Houston will use $98,317.00 in grant funds to reimburse Harris County a portion of the salary, benefits and allowable expenses of one investigator participating in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.