Subject:
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Grant Application to the Florida Office of the Attorney General for the Fiscal Year 2024 Crime Stoppers Trust Fund Grant Program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the Department Director for the submission of the grant application for the Crime Stoppers Trust Fund Grant Program by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
• The Crime Stoppers program engages the community, law enforcement, and the media in a unified attempt to reduce crime.
• The program is housed within the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Annual funding from the grant support’s the program’s operating expenses and crime tip rewards.
• Funding allocated for Fiscal Year (FY) 24-25 is $196,862.12. This includes the FY24-25 award of $159,957.06 as well as $36,905.06 in rollover funds from the FY22-23.
• The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will submit the application and handle administration of this grant.
• No match is required.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
Summary:
The mission of Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County, Inc. is to provide law enforcement with an additional tool in the fight against crime by promoting community involvement through anonymity and rewards for citizens that provide information resulting in an arrest.
Background/Explanation:
In 1988, the Florida Legislature passed the Florida Crime Stoppers Act and created a trust fund by imposing an additional $20 surcharge on fines for criminal offenses collected by county and circuit court clerks. The funding is distributed through the Florida Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Crime Stoppers Trust Fund.
This Grant will provide funding for a Crime Stoppers Coordinator, operating costs, tip rewards, and media campaigns. Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County operates through the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and has received annual funding from this grant since 2001. As of April 2024, PCSO’s FY23-24 Crime Stoppers award has supported 1,071 tips and15 tip rewards that resulted in 16 arrests, 16 cleared cases, and 3 captured fugitives.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $196,862.12 will be provided to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office by the FY24-25 Crime Stoppers Trust Fund. The award amount includes the FY24-25 allocation of $159,957.06 as well as a rollover amount of $36,905.06 from FY22-23. No match is required.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Department Director to sign this grant application was delegated by the County Administrator per the memo dated March 28, 2016 titled “Delegation of Authority by the County Administrator and Improved Grant Procedures.”
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Florida Office of the Attorney General
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County, Inc.
Attachments:
Crime Stoppers Program Abstract
Intent to Apply Approval
FY24-25 Pinellas Crime Stoppers Funding Amount
FY23-24 Pinellas Crime Stoppers Agreement