The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department is requesting an ordinance be approved authorizing the submission of an electronic grant application and acceptance of funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in the amount of $963,000.00 under the BJA FY24 Invited to Apply - Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program. The grant period begins on October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027. No cash-match or in-kind contribution is required. HPD has received the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for 25 years. The Byrne Discretionary Grant is an “Invited to Apply Grant”. This is the third year HPD has received a Byrne Discretionary Grant for community projects and the first year HPD has received this specific discretionary grant for the Crime Prevention and Violence Intervention program at South Central Division.

HPD will utilize the grant funding to implement the Crime Prevention and Violence Intervention project to address the program’s goal to implement the Houston Business Watch Program (HBWP). This project aims to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. Specifically, the HBWP will enhance HPD patrol operations by providing additional officers on the streets to specifically target crimes occurring at or near commercial businesses, and by equipping them with additional law enforcement technology. Funding will be used for overtime, supplies and automated license plate readers.

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.

_______________________________________

J. Noe Diaz, Jr.

Chief of Police