DATE: March 12, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Police Department
TITLE: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE FY 2024 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff and the Police and Fire Commission recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution to accept $52,914 in grant funds from the FY 2024 U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant awarded to the City for crime suppression; appropriate the funds to the Justice Assistance Grant Fund; approve the grant budget; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the grant documents.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Since its inception in 2005, the City of Oceanside has received funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG). The JAG program primarily provides federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions to support local crime prevention efforts. The JAG 2024 award performance period expires in September 2027.
The Oceanside Police Department (OPD) proposes to use JAG 2024 funds to purchase additional Flock Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras to enhance crime suppression efforts within the City. Annual maintenance costs for the surveillance equipment will also be funded through this award to ensure it is adequately maintained. The annual maintenance will include lens cleaning, focusing, and camera and solar panel replacement, as necessary. Oceanside currently has 10 Flock cameras strategically installed throughout the City. Since the deployment of these cameras, OPD has achieved significant investigative results. There have been over 300 “hotlist” hits that have alerted OPD to stolen vehicles, stolen vehicle license plates, and license plate recognition for ongoing criminal investigations. This surveillance equipment has served as a useful investigative tool, helping the Department solve numerous crimes. The additional ALPRs will be placed strategically throughout the city, including four at the entries and exits to the Harbor as part of the City’s on-going efforts to enhance security within that area.
JAG 2024 funds will play a critical role in the expansion of Oceanside’s security infrastructure with the procurement of these additional Flock cameras. The project objectives are consistent with the goal of the JAG program: to prevent and control crime. Through real-time alerts, historical data tracking, and pattern analysis, the cameras serve as a force multiplier, helping law enforcement operate more effectively and efficiently. Based on Oceanside’s own historical data, staff believes the installation of Flock cameras have been successful and that expanding the program will continue to enhance community safety and improve the community's quality of life.
In accordance with Federal procurement guidelines, OPD is purchasing the cameras from Flock Safety as a sole source. The grantor approved Flock Safety as the vendor through the application process.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds in the amount of $52,914 will fund the purchase of Flock ALPR cameras. Annual maintenance costs associated with the cameras will be funded by future JAG awards. The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, will reimburse OPD for the approved expenses. There is no requirement for matching funds from the City of Oceanside.
|
Description |
Appropriate |
Account Number |
|
U.S. Dept of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial JAG FY2024 - Revenue |
$52,914 |
817144124222.4382 |
|
Flock ALPR Cameras |
$52,914 |
817144124222.5330 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$52,914 |
|
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Police & Fire Commission recommended acceptance of the grant funds during its regular scheduled meeting on January 16, 2025.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Whitney Fernandez, Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Taurino Valdovinos, Chief of Police
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. JAG 2024 Award Package
3. JAG 2024 Resolution
4. FY2024 JAG Allocation
5. JAG 2024 Sole Source Justification
6. Flock Safety Sole Source Letter