Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2021 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the FY 2020 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant ("Byrne Grant") through the Bureau of Justice Assistance ("BJA")
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Office of Justice Programs has awarded the City of Hampton Police Division ("HPD") grant funding for FY 2021 in the amount of $43,584 in federal funds. The federal government, based upon a locality's population and crime statistics, awards this grant annually. These funds allow each designated locality to support law enforcement operational needs by allowing the purchase of additional equipment, supplies, training, and more. The intended use of the funds by HPD is to purchase camera, streaming, and lighting systems to help support HPD's goal of community transparency and to replace aging laptops in the Investigations Unit.
Discussion:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Hampton and many city partners, including the Hampton Police Division, have worked diligently to keep the citizens of our city informed and updated about the changes occurring in our city. To align with the 21st Century Policing Pillars, the City of Hampton Police Division seeks to outfit and update our camera, streaming, and lighting systems. By purchasing this system, the city and city partners will continue to push out weekly COVID-19 status updates, however we will reduce our reliance on local news outlets to share our messages with Hampton citizens. This purchase will allow the Hampton Police Division to be guaranteed an autonomous release of information, versus a version that is edited by an outside entity. These press conferences help the citizens of our city to be better prepared, increasing their safety and security. This move forward also helps build trust and legitimacy with the public and will increase the effectiveness of our efforts to combat COVID-19.
Additionally, contact at Hampton City courts has been reduced dra...
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