Agenda Item 2AGENDA ITEM NO.
DATE: 1 - ds
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Justice Assistance Grant
DATE: November 5, 2013
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SUBMITTED BY: Michael D. Classey, Chief of Police
SRATEGIC PLAN LINK: N/A
BACKGROUND:
Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) are grants that have been established by the Federal
Government and administered by the State of Florida. The Florida Department of Law
Enforcement (FDLE) has allocated $2,176 in grant fund for the Atlantic Beach Police
Department to purchase law enforcement equipment. This grant does not require any
matching funds from the City.
The Police Department has identified some equipment that staff would like to purchase
with these funds. Police officers have been utilizing in car video and audio recording
equipment for at least 20 years. These camera systems have most widely been known for
their use in recording traffic stops and obtaining evidence in DUI cases or other traffic
related criminal investigations. Beyond traffic situations, however, the equipment has
only limited applicability.
While the microphones can capture audio recordings while the officer is off camera, the
distances are relatively short and subject to interference. Over the last several years
companies have been manufacturing audio /video cameras small enough for an officer to
wear on their person. This is an invaluable tool for officers when interviewing suspects
and investigating non - traffic incidents. The department can purchase two personal video
recorders with the grant funds. There is no General Fund money available to purchase
this equipment.
The next step of the process for this grant is for the Police Department to apply for the
funding on -line and to submit hard copies of the application with original signatures. For
this process, the City needs to authorize the Mayor to sign the related paperwork. The
City also needs to authorize Chief Classey to submit the application on -line and have the
authorization to electronically sign the on -line application on behalf of the Mayor. The
deadline for the on line application is December 3, 2013 and the hard copy submission is
due by December 20, 2013.
BUDGET: This action will provide $2,176 in grant funding to be added to the 2013-
2014 budget to purchase two video recorders.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To authorize the Mayor to sign the related paperwork for
the application and the subsequent paperwork related to the JAG grant. In addition, to
authorize Michael D. Classey to submit the application on line and have the authorization
to electronically sign the on -line application on behalf of the Mayor and the City.
ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: