Title
U.S. Department of Justice, "Internet Crimes Against Children" (ICAC) Cooperative Agreement Application (NB)
Explanation
On November 10, 2003, the City of Gainesville was awarded $277,808.00 through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Justice "Internet Crimes Against Children" (ICAC) program. This 18-month program has been a tremendous success. The North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) was established at the Gainesville Police Department in December of 2003 as one of 45 ICAC's located around the United States. The North Florida ICAC provides investigative support and coordination to all law enforcement agencies in the northern 38 counties of Florida investigating crimes against children involving the use of computers and the Internet. During the past 12 months, the two full time GPD Investigators assigned to the Task Force have handled over 1000 cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, assisted Task Force members in the arrests of over 20 suspects for charges ranging from online enticement to manufacture, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The North Florida ICAC allows individual agencies to leverage resources from other members and successfully investigate and prosecute these difficult and wide ranging crimes.
The Gainesville Police Department has been notified by the U.S. Department of Justice that applications for continued funding will be accepted during the month of December 2004. The request would continue to fund the current two investigator Unit at GPD, and allow funding for one additional investigator, vehicle, and associated benefits.
Fiscal Note
The grant allows funding requests for up to $400,000 for an 18-month budget and project period. This cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice does not require any local matching funds. The City of Gainesville would be eligible to apply for continuation funding at the end of that time, but should funding not be available, agree to continue funding from local sources for twelve months past the end of the grant. The continuation funding would not be expected to exceed $150,000.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the Interim City Manager to1) apply for up to $400,000 in continued funding through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice "Internet Crimes Against Children" (ICAC) program; and 2) if awarded, execute the cooperative grant agreement and any other necessary documents, pending review by the City Attorney as to form and legality.