RESOLUTION NO. R17-39
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HICKEY FAMILY FOUNDATION AND ACCEPT A RESCUE OF YOUTH PROJECT GRANT IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $10,000, ON BEHALF OF THE GLENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Staff Contact: Rick St. John, Police Chief
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Purpose and Recommended Action
Recommendation [enter the recommendation here]
This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a Rescue of Youth Project Grant from the Hickey Family Foundation on behalf of the Glendale Police Department in the approximate amount of $10,000.
Background
The Hickey Family Foundation (HFF) is a 501(c)(3) trust which provides financial support to projects that help young people who are socially, medically, or educationally at risk from achieving productive lives. The mission of the HFF consists of three categories: supporting rescue of youth projects, supporting medical technology development projects, and supporting medical training center development projects. The HFF uses their network and research to get in touch with appropriate organizations and invite proposals for potential projects to be submitted for funding consideration. Because the HFF is a small foundation, they do not accept or consider unsolicited requests for funds, and grant applications are provided by invitation only. The HFF contacted the Glendale Police Department regarding criminal activity in the City of Glendale related to domestic sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.
Combating sex trafficking is important to the Glendale Police Department and in 2016 an Anti-Sex Trafficking Unit was created. The mission of the Unit is to rescue victims, investigate individuals, and dismantle organizations engaged in sex trafficking, child prostitution, and other related crimes within the City of Glendale. With an invitation to apply, the Glendale Police Department submitted a proposal to the HFF aligned with the rescue of youth project category. The Glendale Police Department is seeking grant funds to assist with operational costs for the Anti-Sex Trafficking Unit in fiscal year 2017-18, focusing on rescuing “at risk” youth who are being sexually exploited within the community. In addition, the Glendale Police Department will be targeting the demand side of sex trafficking which, when coupled with rescue efforts, will provide a well-rounded approach to keeping youth safe from the dangers of sex trafficking. In May 2017, the City was notified by the HFF that the grant application request had been approved and the Glendale Police Department would receive $10,000.
Analysis
The grant performance period is July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. If Council approves the recommended action, the grant funds will be used for operating expenses, personnel training expenses, and equipment purchases utilized in the investigation of sex trafficking in the City of Glendale for the project entitled “Massage Parlor/Sex Traffic Reduction in Glendale.” Staff is requesting Council adopt the proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a Rescue of Youth Project Grant from the Hickey Family Foundation on behalf of the Glendale Police Department in the approximate amount of $10,000.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
The Glendale Police Department maintains a proactive approach in the battle against sex trafficking in the City. Through ongoing focus and investigation, the Police Department can use the information obtained to help identify “at risk” youth in the community, while continuing to assist rescued victims. The Anti-Sex Trafficking Unit currently works in conjunction with School Resource Officers in the high schools to provide information about the sex trafficking industry and the associated dangers. The Police Department also continues to work with organizations who specialize in the healing process of sex trafficking and sexual trauma victims within the ages of 11 to 17.
Budget and Financial Impacts
There is no financial match required for this award. A specific project account will be established in Fund 1840, the city’s grant fund, once the grant is formally accepted.