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 Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division (CJD) for the FY 2021 Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant. If awarded, CJD will provide $834,211 in grant funding for the grant period October 1, 2020 and ends on September 30, 2021. City matching funds or in-kind contribution is not required.
The purpose of the FY 2021 Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant is to create and foster safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in violent crime, including but not limited to, addressing criminal gangs and felonious possession and use of firearms. If awarded, the grant will fund overtime and equipment for HPD's Crime Suppression Teams.
The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to authorize the Chief of Police or designee to act as the City's representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expand 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.
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Art Acevedo
Chief of Police