Item Coversheet
      

5919 MAIN STREET .  NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 . 727.853.1016


TO:City of New Port Richey City Council
FROM:Robert Kochen, Chief of Police
DATE:11/7/2023
RE:Approval of United States Department of Justice Grant

REQUEST:

The request for City Council is to approve the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) Reducing Violent Crime through Technology and Community Engagement Project grant for the New Port Richey Police Department in the amount of $183,120.00.



DISCUSSION
:

The USDOJ grant has been awarded to our police department to mitigate serious crimes that may occur within the city and bring forth equipment to assist with this goal.  The grant will allow the New Port Richey Police Department to acquire equipment vital to the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of serious crimes that occur within the city. 

 

The grant will bring the New Port Richey Police Department’s crime scene capabilities up to accreditation standards and will bring the department in line with larger police agencies’ crime scene abilities. The equipment awarded in this grant is invaluable for the city, as it will (1) proactively help to prevent violent crime and (2) allows detectives and crime scene technicians to better process a scene for successful prosecution. With the technology obtained from this USDOJ grant the police department’s ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute offenders will be greatly enhanced.

 

Another benefit of this grant is that it requires community support and participation in reducing violent crime.  The New Port Richey Police Department will work with the business community, residents, and other entities to develop crime prevention strategies. This is community policing at its best, and this partnership with the community will help mitigate crimes and better prepare citizens to not become victims of crime.

 

In closing, to help maintain the quality of life within our city, violent crime must be prevented and successfully prosecuted when it occurs. This grant provides the resources to do just that. It is our goal for residents and visitors to feel safe at all hours of the day and night, and to enjoy our city. 

 

City Attorney Tim Driscoll reviewed the grant contract and approved the contract as to form.

 

 



RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the USDOJ Reducing Violent Crime through Technology and Community Engagement Project in the amount of $183,120.00.



BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:

No budget impact / no city match required.
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
USDOJ Grant Award InformationBackup Material