COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Sheriff’s Office

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

DATE:

November 26, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 18, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

4/5^th Vote

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Greg Munks

Countywide Narcotics Task Force

SUBJECT:

Approval of Augmented Funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force

Recommendation

a) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Sheriff to accept augmented funding in the amount of $87,856 from the State Office of Emergency Services for the 2007-08 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program.
b) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $87,856 establishing the grant budget and revenues.

Vision Alignment

Acceptance of the grant aligns with Vision 2010 Commitments Nos. 6 and 7, in that it will maintain and enhance public safety, and increase the likelihood that children grow up in safe homes and neighborhoods.

Performance Measures

Performance Indicators

FY 2006-07
Actual

FY 2007-08
Projected

Number of Drug Endangered Children Contacted (Oct. 2006-Jun. 2007)

28

56

Number of Drug Endangered Children processed through the DEC Response Vehicle

N/A

28

As part of the performance requirements of this grant, the CNTF will be reporting on 31 separate data elements falling under two major Goals. Goal 1. During the grant year, reduce illegal activities of targeted offenders through law enforcement, prosecution, and probation efforts; and Goal 2. Continue demand reduction efforts by providing on going narcotics related training to local law enforcement personnel, school officials, and community groups within the San Mateo County. An included element of participation in the grant program is the development and implementation of Child Endangerment Protocol involving the removal and protection of children who are found at or having been exposed to an illicit drug environment and prosecuting those adult individuals responsible for willfully endangering those children.

Background

The narcotic trafficking trade impacts all areas of the County. Moreover, the criminal element involved in the illegal narcotics trade is increasingly sophisticated, and increasingly violent. It is clear that a more coordinated and concerted effort is required to combat this threat to our communities.

Equally troubling are the number of children who are frequently encountered in the investigation and closure of these narcotics operations. Not only are these children exposed to drug use and the criminal element, they are often also exposed to highly toxic chemicals and gases used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and other narcotics. CNTF is working with Human Services, San Mateo Medical Center, and the District Attorney’s Office to develop a Drug-Endangered Children (DEC) protocol.

Discussion

The State Office of Emergency Services has awarded the County $87,856 in supplemental funding under the 2007-08 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program, which has been earmarked for the use of the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force. The Task Force plans to develop, purchase, customize, and equip a Multi-Purpose Vehicle to be used to support of the County’s Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Protocol. When appropriate, the DEC Response Van will be driven to the scene of narcotic investigations involving children. All children discovered at the scene of a narcotic investigation will be escorted to the DEC Response Van. The purpose of the DEC Response Van will be to provide a safe and friendly environment for children during the narcotic investigation involving their parent(s) and/or guardian(s). When the vehicle is not being used for DEC responses, the SMCNTF intends to use the vehicle for other activities associated with their mission. Thereafter, the balance of the additional grant funds will be used to augment the Task Force’s overtime budget and related activities.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the recommended Resolution and Grant Agreement as to legal form.

Fiscal Impact

The San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force has been participating in the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program since fiscal year 2003-2004, and it is expected to be an ongoing SMCNTF funding initiative for the coming years.

The 2007-08 grant budget was $202,798, and has been increased with augmented funding by $87,856 for a total of $290,654.