ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of Electronic Application for and acceptance of Grant Funds from the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE for the FY2024 Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance of the Southern District of Texas Grant; declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the Chief of the Houston Police Department to act as the City’s representative in the application process to accept such Grant Funds, if awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program

The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the electronic application for and acceptance of grant funds through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for the FY2024 Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance of the Southern District of Texas Grant in the amount of $1,000,000.00. The DOJ will provide $750,000.00 in grant funding. A cash or in-kind match of 25% is required. HPD will provide an in-kind match of $250,000.00. The grant period becomes effective October 1, 2024, and ends on September 30, 2027, for a total of 36 months. If awarded, this will be the seventh year of funding for HPD under this program.

The purpose of the FY2024 Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance of the Southern District of Texas Grant is to expand and further support collaborative law enforcement partnerships in the Greater Houston Area (GHA). Grant funds will be used for: 1) assigning a task force coordinator to facilitate ongoing operations; 2) providing additional funding for investigations and prosecutions in Harris County and the six surrounding counties; 3) recruiting additional agencies and personnel to assist the task force to better serve the GHA; 4) recruiting and training specialized decoy officers; 5) enhancing current peer-to-peer mentoring resources.

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.

Funding for this item is included in the FY2025 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.

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J. Noe Diaz, Jr.

Chief of Police 

$750,000.00 Federal Government - Grants Fund

Fund 5000

$250,000.00 General Fund (In-Kind Match)

Fund 1000 

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

Sonja O'Dat, Executive Staff Analyst (713) 308-1728