Title
State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Funding of Youth Programs (NB)
This is a request for the City Commission to approve the use of $35,000 from the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund for two Youth Programs.
Explanation
The Gainesville Police Department is requesting to use $35,000 from the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund to fund two events for this upcoming summer.
The first being the Gainesville Police Explorers Post who will be competing in the 2016 Florida Association of Police Explorers State Competition from June 19-25, 2016. The total cost will be approximately $7,000. In preparation for this event, some equipment and materials and supplies may need to be purchased and additional overtime for staffing of two officers to attend and supervise the youth for the week. The Gainesville Police Explorer Program is a young adult program for high school students. The intent of the Police Explorer Program is to educate and involve youth in police operations and to interest them in law enforcement functions. Through youth involvement they become aware of the many facets of the law enforcement career field. The program also aids them in becoming aware of the community around them and how to be involved as citizens in their neighborhood. Their participation in the program is voluntary. The members meet twice a week to discuss future events and to train on a variety of topics.
The next program is the Summer Heatwave basketball program which is a collaborative effort between the Gainesville Police Department and City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department to provide youth with positive summer time activities. The Heatwave program offers organized competitive basketball as well as alternative activities in the teen lounge program in a safe, structured and supervised environment when school is out during the months of June, July and August. One of the requirements for participating in the program is that each team coach is required to instruct their players in weekly positive life skill components using the “Character Counts” curriculum. Last year, the participation in the Heatwave program almost tripled in size from 183 youth in 2014 to 515 youth in 2015. Additionally, the number of juvenile arrests in the City of Gainesville dropped 40% from 2014 to 2015 during this same time. Based on the positive feedback from the youth, it is anticipated that the Heatwave program will grow again in 2016. We are requesting $28,000 for this summer program, which will include contractual services, materials and supplies and overtime.
Fiscal note
Funds for this expenditure in the amount of $35,000 are available in the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and are allowable under State of Florida Statue 932.7055.
The balance is $115,917 unreserved fund balance as of January 31, 2016.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the appropriation of $35,000 from the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund to pay for the operational expenses.