SUBJECT: FUNDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING (OCJP) CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT PURCHASE (CLETEP) PROGRAM

The state Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) has announced the availability of funding for the California Law Enforcement Technology Equipment Purchase (CLETEP) program. The purpose of this program is to enhance local law enforcement technology to address problems relating to crime suppression and crime prevention.

If awarded, the grant funding will be utilized to enhance crime prevention and suppression by strengthening multi-jurisdictional information sharing. It is anticipated that several area jurisdictions (including San Jose, Mountain View and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office) will apply for funding as well.

The grant offered is a one-time funding opportunity for the six-month award period – May 1, 2000 through October 31, 2000. The Department of Public Safety may apply for an amount not to exceed $200,000. No match is required. The due date for proposal submittal is March 15, 2000.

Alternative 1. Authorize the Director of Public Safety to apply for the CLETEP program for an amount not to exceed $200,000, to accept the grant if awarded, and to execute all related documents.

Alternative 2. Do not pursue the CLETEP program grant opportunity.

The OCJP is making available to local jurisdictions $30,000,000 from the State General Fund for the CLETEP program. The purpose of the program is to enhance local law enforcement to address problems relating to crime suppression and crime prevention. OCJP anticipates that 271 out of 394 eligible local law enforcement agencies will be selected for funding under this program.

Funding is divided among the 394 eligible agencies into 12 categories based on population. Eligible applicants must compete with other applicants within the same population category. Sunnyvale may apply for up to $200,000 and will compete with 28 other jurisdictions for the grant award, eight of which are located in the greater Bay area. The due date for proposal submittal is March 15, 2000.

Funding Cycle and Duration – The CLETEP grant is a one-time funding opportunity for a six-month period commencing May 1, 2000 and ending October 31, 2000. Purchases can only be made within the grant period.

Twenty-first century technology enables law enforcement to better pursue crime suppression, intervention and prevention activities. For example:

• Utilizing crime mapping Geographical Information Systems (GIS), future crime "hot spots" can be identified and resources deployed to avert potential problems in identified areas.
• Improved forensics technology enables law enforcement to enhance the quality of latent fingerprints initially considered unusable to reopen unsolved crimes such as homicide and rape cases.
• Improved communications devices allow patrol officers better access to information in the field during emergency situations.
• Covert devices increase capabilities of tracking and apprehending drug traffickers.

Through the CLETEP program, application for grant funds not to exceed $200,000 may be utilized in the following manner*:

1. Crime analysis software to enhance current identification of high-crime areas by illuminating patterns of criminal events;
2. The MORE HITS system, a state-of-the-art forensic image tracking and processing system that will substantially improve processing of latent fingerprint classification and tracking of chain of evidence;
3. Scanners for patrol vehicles and portable radios for patrol officers to allow enhanced information sharing across jurisdictional boundaries.
4. Tracking system to better coordinate drug enforcement efforts with county, state and federal agencies.

*A detailed list of equipment will be submitted via RTC if the grant is awarded. The list will be further refined to coordinate purchase proposals with other agencies located within Santa Clara County.

The CLETEP grant program encourages information sharing between agencies to more effectively address crime suppression and prevention. This is based on the premise that there are a number of technological solutions to criminal justice problems involving multiple, often physically adjacent agencies.

The program awards applicants "preference points" for those proposals which contain solutions to common problems coordinated with other law enforcement agencies within a county.

The proposed equipment meets this criterion:

Enhanced crime analysis software will improve our ability to compare/share data with other jurisdictions within Santa Clara County by viewing crime trends on a regional basis.

Santa Clara County and the incorporated cities share, via agreement, the implementation and operation of the California Identification System (CAL –ID). This system allows local law enforcement agencies direct access to the state’s fingerprint files. Along with superior fingerprint enhancement capability, the MORE HITS system provides connectivity to the existing Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and CAL-ID.

Scanners will allow direct communication with adjacent jurisdictions. Patrol officers will monitor county agency frequencies to potentially improve the apprehension of criminals.

Portable radios will enhance communications between county jurisdictions by enabling patrol officers to directly contact other law enforcement agencies.

A covert tracking device to permit the sharing of information on drug trafficking will improve coordination between state, federal and county officials in the monitoring and apprehension of suspected drug dealers.

No match amount is required. Ongoing costs for licensing and maintenance of computer and communications-related equipment are estimated at $10,000 annually. These additional costs will be absorbed by Program 412 – Police Services.

Posting of the Council Agenda. Reports to Council are also available at the City Library and the City’s website.

Staff recommends Alternative 1.

Prepared by:

Peter Gonda,
Administrative Assistant
Police Services Division

Reviewed by:

Steve Pigott, Captain
Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Irwin Bakin
Director of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Mary J. Bradley, Director
Department of Finance

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

None.