Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO GRANT AGREEMENT HT-15-2538 WITH THE CITY OF TUCSON FOR THE HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA AND ACCEPT FUNDS FOR USE WITH THE WEST VALLEY DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE
Staff Contact: Debora Black, Police Chief
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Purpose and Recommended Action
Recommendation
This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the entering into of grant agreement HT-15-2538 with the City of Tucson for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and authorize the City Manager or designee to accept funds in the amount of $68,000 to provide overtime and services funding for the West Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force (WVDETF) and execute all documents necessary to implement this program.
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Background
Glendale Police Department (GPD) has been accepting federal HIDTA grants distributed by the City of Tucson since 2011. The WVDETF has been given a HIDTA designation and the initiative is an extension of the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Phoenix Task Force. GPD has partnered with DEA for more than two decades and recently entered into an intergovernmental agreement with DEA on September 9, 2014 to continue participation in the Phoenix Task Force, assigning two full-time detectives as part of a joint law enforcement operation. The detectives assigned gather and report intelligence data relating to trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs, conduct undercover operations where appropriate, and engage in other traditional methods of investigation. The intent of the joint effort is to suppress drug importation and sales.
By participating in the WVDETF initiative, additional GPD detectives have the opportunity to gain further training and experience with the interdiction of illicit drugs. This additional training and experience ultimately benefits GPD through more efficient and effective coordination of the investigation and apprehensions of dangerous drug traffickers who reside and/or have committed violent crimes in the City of Glendale. The HIDTA grants are awarded yearly and allow continued funding for detectives working the designated initiatives.
Analysis
The City of Tucson, as the HIDTA fiduciary, notifies participating agencies annually of the cycle awards. On March 2, 2015, GPD was notified of the $68,000 award under grant number HT-15-2538 for use in funding with the WVDETF initiative, authorizing $35,000 for overtime costs and $33,000 for services. If approved, the agreement will be in effect through December 31, 2016. Staff is recommending that City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the entering into of grant agreement HT-15-2538, and further authorize the City Manager or designee to accept the funds and execute all documents necessary to implement this program.
Previous Related Council Action
On September 9, 2014, Council authorized the acceptance of the 2014 HIDTA grant and the grant adjustment from the City of Tucson in the total amount of $40,000.
On August 13, 2013, Council authorized the acceptance of the 2013 HIDTA grant adjustment from the City of Tucson in the amount of $20,800. This adjustment brought the total 2013 award to $40,000.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
Participation in the WVDETF initiative assists GPD with more efficient and effective investigations, increasing the apprehension of dangerous drug trafficers, thereby reducing violent crime and improving public safety efforts in the City of Glendale.
Budget and Financial Impacts
There is no financial match required for this grant. A specific account will be established in Fund 1840, the city's grant fund, once the grant is accepted.