O2019-0821 ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the submission of an application for and acceptance of the U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BJA FY19 LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CRIME GUN INTELLIGENCE CENTER INTEGRATION INITIATIVE GRANT FOR THE VIOLENT CRIME GUN STRIKE FORCE INITIATIVE PROGRAM; declaring the City’s eligibility for such grant; authorizing the Police Chief of the City of Houston Police Department to act as the City’s representative in the application process, to apply for, accept, and expend the grant funds if awarded and to apply for, accept, and expend all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program and to extend the budget period - $750,000.00 - Grant Fund

TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRAVIS

This was Item 29 on Agenda of October 16, 2019

The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the application for and acceptance of grant funds through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for the FY19 Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Initiative Grant. If awarded, the grant period is October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022, for a total of 36 months. DOJ will provide $750,000 in grant funding. City matching funds or in-kind contribution is not required. 

The purpose of this grant program is to provide resources for law enforcement to proactively respond to violent crime. HPD will continue to work directly with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF}, Harris County District Attorney's office, Assistant United States Attorney's (AUSA) office and National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) investigators to stem the flow of violent activity throughout the city of Houston and surrounding areas. In forming the Crime Gun Strike Force, the Partners agree to work cooperatively to timely collect, analyze, and use Crime Gun Intelligence; the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and Firearm Tracing. The Strike Force will identify, investigate, and prosecute firearm violations and related crimes in order to solve violent crimes and remove guns used in criminal acts, violent offenders, and firearm traffickers from our streets. 

The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to act as the City's representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related agreements with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years. 

Fiscal Note: 
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items. 

_____________________________________________

Art Acevedo

Chief of Police

$750,000.00 

Federal Grant Fund

Fund 5000

Rhonda Smith, Deputy Director/CFO (713) 308-1708

Sonja D. Otero, Sr. Staff Analyst (713) 308-1728

Clifton Journet III, Police Administrator (713) 308-1779