Subject:
Title
Grant Agreement with Florida’s Office of the Attorney General for the Fiscal Year 2022 Crime Stoppers Trust Fund Grant on behalf of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Grant Agreement with Florida’s Office of the Attorney General for the Crime Stoppers Trust Fund Grant.
• The Crime Stoppers Trust Fund Grant 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 and funding from the grant will support operating expenses, crime tip rewards, and media campaigns.
• Funding allocated for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 is $193,892.18. This includes the FY22-23 award of $161,561.17 as well as $32,331.01 in rollover funds from FY20-21. 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:
This Grant Agreement provides funding for Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County. Their mission 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 $20.00 surcharge on fines for criminal offenses collected by county and circuit court clerks. The funding is distributed through the 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 funding from this grant for the past twenty years. As of April 2022, the FY21-22 Crime Stoppers award has supported 1,161 tips and 23 tip rewards that resulted in 25 arrests, 35 cleared cases, and 18 captured fugitives.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $193,892.18 is to be provided to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office by the FY21-22 Crime Stoppers Trust Fund. The award amount includes the FY22-23 allocation of $161,561.17 as well as a rollover amount of $32,331.01 from FY20-21. No match is required.
Funds will be available for distribution under the Sheriff’s Grants and Agreements budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this agreement is granted under (Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
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 Grant Agreement
Award Letter
Grant Application
Intent to Apply