COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

 

DATE:

July 28, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Don Horsley, Sheriff

 

SUBJECT:

BYRNE Anti-Drug Abuse (ADA) Enforcement Program Grant to fund the Countywide Narcotics Task Force in the amount of $382,010.

 

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Sheriff’s Office to apply for the State Governor’s Office of Emergency Services BYRNE Grant to fund the Countywide Narcotics Task Force in the amount of $382,010.

 

Background

The Anti-Drug Abuse Enforcement Program is funded by a federal block grant to the State of California. The Byrne fund grants are to be used for the purposes of enforcing the State and local controlled substances laws and to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system with emphasis on violent and serious offenders.

There are 29 authorized Program Purpose Areas. Historically, Sheriff’s Offices nationwide receive this funding for Narcotics Task Force operations and equipment; this is the second year that the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force will apply for the Byrne Grant.

The Sheriff’s Office will apply under Purpose Area 2, Multi-jurisdictional task force (MJTF) programs that integrate federal, state, and/or local drug law enforcement agencies and prosecutors for the purpose of enhancing interagency coordination and intelligence and facilitating multi-jurisdictional investigations. If the funds are granted, the Sheriff’s Office will apply them to fund the Countywide Narcotics Task Force.

 

Discussion

The goal of the Narcotics Task Force and this project is the continued unification and collaboration efforts of City, County, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies in the investigation, apprehension and arrest of narcotic offenders. This mission has allowed us to maximize available resources through a countywide Task Force. This has reduced the duplication of efforts by focusing on source areas and traffic patterns. It has also increased the networking, communication, and sharing of information within San Mateo County and Northern California. In response to the drug problem in San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force was formally established in 1985. This multi-jurisdictional task force operates under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and City Police Agencies within San Mateo County. The Task Force also has state and federal participation to include the Department of Justice-Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Task Force routinely works with the San Mateo County Probation Department and the California Department of State Parole. The funds will be used to support the position of a Criminalist who will identify all solid dosage drugs, conduct solid dosage drug analysis employing state of the art appropriate methods, and will test urine samples for drugs of abuse for the Narcotics Task Force, local law enforcement agencies, and the County Probation Department. Further, it will support task force overtime and training of officers as well as operational equipment to conduct surveillance.

Vision Alignment

This grant from the State Office of Criminal Justice and Planning keeps the commitment to Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All and goal number 7, “maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.” The grant contributes to this commitment by funding the Narcotic Task Force overtime, equipment and operational funds.

 

Fiscal Impact

The Federal Government has authorized distribution of $50,000,000. California’s funding limits are based on 2002 County Crime Index and Percentage of State Crime Index. San Mateo County’s Anti-Drug Enforcement Award is expected to be $382,010. There is no matching requirement. There is no net County Cost associated with acceptance of the Award.