Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the FY 2023 Operation Ceasefire Grant Program-Commonwealth's Anti Violence Initiative and Resources (CAVIAR) Program - Prosecution Grant Awarded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this resolution is to accept and appropriate state grant funds to allow the Commonwealth's Attorney to advance efforts to prevent, intervene and provide enforcement of gun violence in the city of Hampton, Virginia.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is continuously dedicated to reducing violence and crime within the community. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is committed to addressing the epidemic of gun violence and other violent crime that has taken the lives of many individuals in the City of Hampton. Therefore, The Commonwealth’s Attorney Office is seeking funding to assist in the launch of several components of Operation Ceasefire for the City of Hampton. According to Neighborhoodscout.com, the chances of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Hampton, Virginia is 1 in 37. Most of these individuals involved in violence are disconnected from social support, unemployed, not in school, and have been exposed to trauma - all significant risk factors for being a victim or perpetrator of gun violence. For example, a study that examined 500 African American youth in Hampton Roads, Virginia found that direct exposure to violence was the best predictor of whether an individual would later engage in gun-related crimes. The current grant is on a calendar year cycle and must be reviewed each year.
Discussion:
The acceptance of this prosecution program will allow the Commonwealth's Attorney to establish a position for a dedicated Program Coordinator to develop and present educational programs and learning activities to provide information about public safety, crime prevention, and Operation Ceasefire-CAVIAR to various audiences.
Impact:
This grant award will help support the mission of the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office by expanding resources to create alternatives to reduce gun violence in the community. For the current fiscal year, the City has been awarded state funds in the amount of $230,460. There is no local cash or in-kind match required; The Program Coordinator will adhere to the City's Human Resources employment policies and performance evaluation process.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Criminal Justice Services has awarded the City of Hampton, Virginia (the "City") a 2023 Operation Ceasefire Grant in the amount of $230,460 in state funds;
WHEREAS, the Operation Ceasefire Grant (CAVIAR) award requires no cash match;
WHEREAS, the funds of the Ceasefire Grant (CAVIAR) will be used by the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to fund a position dedicated to ensuring that each component of Operation Ceasefire will be planned, implemented, and executed with successful outcomes within the City, and
WHEREAS, the grant award is for the period from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends its Fiscal Year 2023 Council Approved Budget to (1) accept and appropriate the Operation Ceasefire (CAVIAR) Grant in the amount of $230,460 in State funds awarded by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all actions necessary to implement this grant award.