SR 05:030 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND State Assembly Bill 3229 signed by the governor on July 12t~, 1996 added section 30061 of the Government Code establishing a statewide fund for allocation to local police agencies, referred to the Citizens' Options for Public Safety Program. As required by the bill, the County of Alameda has established a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund and has established a committee to oversee and review the annual expenditures by local agencies from this fund. The funds are allocated to our City based on population. This year the City of Pleasanton received $100,000. The Council must hold a public hearing in each year the allocation is made, and approve a resolution permitting the expenditure of COPS funding. The appropriations must support front line municipal law enforcement services, cannot supplant existing funding and be separate and apart from other funds. The Finance Director must provide a monthly report of expenditures to the county. RECOMMENDED EXPENDITURES Input from members of the Police Department was solicited and submissions reviewed by the Department's "Review Committee." The committee submitted a list of recommendations to staff. The Command Staff of the Police Department supported the following recommendations, which support line law enforcement functions and serve to enhance public safety. The cost estimates, as listed, are approximate amounts. · Every 15 Minutes ($3000) The "Every 15 Minutes Program" is a pro-active anti-drinking and driving educational outreach program conducted each year at one of our high schools. The program is recognized state wide as a valuable tool focusing on teen drivers and challenging them to think about the consequences of drinking, personal safety, driving habits and the responsibility of making mature decisions. This funding will allow police staff to work cooperatively with educators, local businesses and students to communicate the dangers of driving under the influence. · Volunteers in Policing Services (VIPS) Program Funding ($5000) The VIPS program continues to expand and integrate throughout the organization. This funding will provide field equipment, training, and uniforms for patrol volunteers. The volunteers have grown in numbers from 3 in 2001 to the current number of 20 and represent a wide-ranging sample of the population of Pleasanton. These dedicated persons provided over 2662 hours just in the first nine months of 2004, which equals a saving of $44,295.68, for the police department, according to the National Association of Citizen's on Patrol, which assigns an hourly rate of $16.64 for volunteer time. This funding will support programs that are overseen by the VIPS program but are not funded elsewhere in the budget. SR 05:030