Title
Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program Grant Application (NB)
This is a request for City Commission approval for the Gainesville Police Department to accept a grant if awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.
Explanation
On February 19, 2015, the Office of Justice Programs released a solicitation for the "Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program Grant". The City of Gainesville is eligible to seek funding under this program. The grant program is designed to focus on neighborhoods with hot spots of violent and serious crime, in communities that exhibit concentration of poverty, high numbers of residents on community supervision by the courts or prison, and high numbers of at-risk youth. The program targets the implementation of effective place-based strategies for crime prevention and reduction at the micro-scale level, such as provision of infrastructure and enforcement among others.
The Gainesville Police Department and the Public Works Department are jointly submitting an application for the implementation of enhanced patrolling and installation of LED street lighting at the Pine Ridge neighborhood along NW 23rd Terrace. This grant, if awarded, will complement GPD's crime prevention efforts in the neighborhood. Other physical modifications in the area include a sidewalk and bus stop improvement project that is expected to be under construction by May of 2015, and a pocket park that was installed by the Parks Department in late 2014.
The application will be submitted by April 20, 2015. The grant award ceiling is $175,000.
Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact. The grant does not require any local matching funds.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager to: 1) accept the grant, if awarded and; 2) execute any other necessary documents, pending review by the City Attorney as to form and legality.