R-2011-02 continue funding the Crime Victim’s Liaison position

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: 03/14/2011 Budget Requested By: Ken Adenx Source of Funds: Department: Police Account Number: Report: Resolution: X Ordinance: Amount Budgeted: Exhibits: Resolution for Crime Victim's Liaison Grant Amount Requested: Exhibits: Budgeted Item: YES NO Exhibits SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION Per the Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 56.04, (c), "Each local law enforcement agency shall designate one person to serve as the agency's crime victim liaison." The duty of the crime victim liaison is to ensure that a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim of a crime involving bodily injury is afforded the rights granted victims in accordance with state law; including notification of victim's rights, providing victims with crime victim's compensation assistance, referring them to community resources and providing moral support during any time the victim is required to make a court appearance. For calendar years 2009/2010, the Crime Victim Liaison served a total of one thousand eighteen (1018) victims who were awarded approximately sixty-nine thousand eight hundred and one dollars ($69,801.00) in Crime Victim's Compensation. Since the inception of the La Porte Police Departments Crime Victims Program, over three hundred sixty -four thousand three hundred fifty -five dollars ($364,355.00) in compensation has been awarded to local crime victims with the assistance of the Department's Crime Victim Liaison. The City of La Porte received an initial grant award for its Victims Assistance Liaison position from the Office of the Attorney General in February, 2002. Since that time, the position has in part been funded through this grant. As required by the Attorney General's Office, a resolution is being sought authorizing the Police Department and City Manager to submit for a two year continuation grant for the Crime Victim's Liaison position. The Grant will be in the amount of forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000.000) each year. The City will have to continue to support the program by absorbing approximately twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000.00) each year in its personnel operating budget to cover this position. Action Required by Council: Authorize the La Porte Police Department and City Manager to submit for the Crime Victim's Liaison Grant in order to continue funding the Crime Victim's Liaison position. • I prove ' for City Council Agenda • 1 tt, 377 Ron : ottoms, City Manager Date