TITLE:
title
ACCEPTANCE OF THE 2023-2024 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) GRANT
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: JONATHAN SMITH, POLICE OFFICER
CONTACT INFORMATION: JONATHAN SMITH, POLICE OFFICER, 714-852-0500
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Adopt the proposed Resolution No. 2023-XX authorizing the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $40,000 from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in connection with its Alcohol Policing Partnership Program.
2. Approve budget appropriation of $40,000 from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant.
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BACKGROUND:
The State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) distributes funding to California law enforcement agencies through the Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) Program. Grant funds are used to fund educational and enforcement operations that foster and protect the health, safety, welfare, and economic well-being of the members of our community. These operations will be specific to laws pertaining to the unlawful sale and distribution of alcohol, especially as it pertains to minors.
The City has applied for ABC grants in the past and has received funds, which assisted with Police Department objectives. For the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) applied for, and obtained, a grant in the amount of $40,000. If approved, these funds will fund personnel costs for operations, training, and equipment.
ANALYSIS:
Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in America by persons under the age of 21. Alcohol is abused more than tobacco, marijuana, or any other illicit drugs. Throughout the nation, alcohol abuse is a major factor in chronic disease, infectious disease, hospital emergency room visits, newborn health problems, violent crime, and auto fatalities. In the City of Costa Mesa, there are 476 active retail establishments with on-and-off-site alcohol beverage licenses that sell alcohol on a daily basis.
Given the prevalence of ABC licensed establishments, the Police Department routinely responds to a variety of calls involving alcohol such as driving under the influence (DUI), public intoxication, drinking in public, and possession of open containers. In 2022, CMPD made 736 DUI arrests, 316 public intoxication arrests, and issued 190 drinking in public/possession of open container citations. The ABC grant will supplement police efforts to control alcohol related issues at the point of sale, especially as it relates to minors. Education and enforcement of underage drinking laws help to save lives and create a safer community.
Police Department staff has applied for, and received, approval for an APP grant from the ABC for FY 2023-2024. The grant will allow the Police Department to implement a balanced approach, which will focus on underage drinking, alcohol use/abuse in general, educating the public, and ensuring compliance at ABC licensed establishments. Specifically, grant funds will be used to staff education and enforcement operations on an overtime basis so as not to burden normal staffing and operations.
The educational programs include:
• IMPACT and LEADS training will be used to educate businesses that sell alcohol about related ABC laws in an effort to help reduce alcohol related crime in and around licensed premises.
• Providing all CMPD patrol officers with updated training on ABC related laws and enforcement strategies.
• Using media and social media to educate the public about ABC laws and our enforcement efforts.
The enforcement operations will include minor decoy, shoulder tap, IMPACT, and holiday enforcement operations.
• A minor decoy operation consists of a minor who enters an ABC licensed establishment and attempts to purchase alcohol in order to ensure employees of the business are not furnishing alcohol to minors.
• A shoulder tap operation consists of a minor who solicits a citizen to purchase alcohol near an ABC licensed location.
• A holiday enforcement operation consists of directed enforcement at or near ABC licensed locations on specified holidays.
The CMPD has the following specific project goals for FY 2023-2024:
• Conduct at least two (2) Minor Decoy operations.
• Conduct at least two (2) Shoulder Tap operations.
• Conduct at least three (3) Holiday Enforcement operations.
• Conduct at least three (3) IMPACT education operations.
• Conduct at least twelve (6) briefing trainings.
This grant also provides funding for overtime compensation and travel for one person to attend a one-day training event on October 17, 2023, in Sacramento, California. To receive these grant funds, ABC requires that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City to enter into the grant agreement with the State. The grant agreement provides funds in the amount of $40,000 with a grant period of October 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. ABC will reimburse the City for approved grant expenditures throughout the grant period
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council could decide not to accept the grant; however, this is not recommended as the department would not be able to pursue the specific goals outlined for the grant in FY 2023-2024.
FISCAL REVIEW:
This grant provides for 100% reimbursement for costs incurred. There is no matching requirement. Subject to City Council approval, a budget adjustment will be executed recognizing $40,000 in grant revenue and appropriating $40,000 to the Police Department budget. Funds will be reimbursed on a bi-monthly basis from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this report, the grant agreement, proposed resolution, and approved them as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goal:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Adopt the proposed Resolution No. 2023-XX authorizing the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $40,000 from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in connection with its Alcohol Policing Partnership Program.
2. Approve budget appropriation of $40,000 from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant.