ITEM 6-C

City Council Meeting 07/13/99
Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Assembly Bill 1415 (Margett) Which Provides Permanent Funding for L.A. IMPACT and L.A. Clearinghouse

This report requests that the City Council approve the attached resolution in support of Assembly Bill 1415 (Margett), which provides permanent funding for L.A. IMPACT and L.A. Clearinghouse.

L.A. IMPACT and L.A. Clearinghouse have been effective resources for regional law enforcement in suppression, evidence analysis and prosecution of illegal narcotics, gangs and other criminal activity. Assembly Bill 1415, which provides permanent State funding for L.A. IMPACT and L.A. Clearinghouse, has the support of the Police Chiefs’ Association of Los Angeles County and member law enforcement agencies.

The accompanying resolution in support of Assembly Bill 1415 has no budget or financial impact on the City of Santa Monica. The bill provides for funding by appropriations from the State general fund to the Board of Corrections for allocation to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is recommended that the accompanying resolution be adopted.

Prepared by: James T. Butts, Jr., Chief of Police

City Council Meeting 07/13/99 Santa Monica, California

RESOLUTION NUMBER_____

(City Council Series)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA IN SUPPORT OF THE PASSAGE OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1415 WHICH PROVIDES PERMANENT FUNDING FOR L.A. IMPACT AND L.A. CLEARINGHOUSE

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1415 will provide 17.4 million dollars to permanently fund and maintain L.A. IMPACT (12.4 million dollars) and L.A. Clearinghouse (5 million dollars), which are two major narcotics enforcement, gang, and crime suppression demonstration projects that have been partially funded by short-term federal grants and individual municipal law enforcement agencies; and

WHEREAS, L.A. IMPACT and L.A. Clearinghouse work together to maintain a strong focus and impact in suppressing illegal narcotics, gangs, and other criminal activity by providing key law enforcement support for more than 50% of California’s population residing in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties; and

WHEREAS, these four counties are ground zero for California’s drug problems and are the manufacturing and distribution point for most drugs in the State; and

WHEREAS, the protection of the public from illegal narcotics, gangs and other criminal activity in individual cities is a high priority for L.A. IMPACT and L.A. Clearinghouse; and

WHEREAS, L.A. IMPACT is a task force of approximately 71 expertly trained officers representing 32 agencies who are properly equipped and coordinated, and has responded to and remains ready to respond to any city in Los Angeles County requesting assistance on crime problems in their community; and

WHEREAS, since 1991, among other efforts, L.A. IMPACT has made 2,225 arrests, seized over 30,000 kilos of cocaine, 3,887 pounds of methamphetamine and recovered 1,174 handguns, rifles and shotguns; and

WHEREAS, L.A. Clearinghouse provides vital long-term crime trend analysis and coordinates information between L.A. IMPACT and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to identify emerging drug threats and activities of drug cartels to facilitate a pro-active law enforcement strategy; and

WHEREAS, L.A. Clearinghouse provides critical protection for front line law enforcement personnel that virtually eliminates officer-on-officer conflicts during undercover narcotics operations; and

WHEREAS, L.A. Clearinghouse provides important post seizure evidence analysis and trial support for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties for complex prosecutions relating to illegal narcotics, gangs, homicides and kidnapping, etc.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica strongly supports and endorses Assembly Bill 1415 (Margett) sponsored by the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association.

SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica hereby directs Staff to contact the appropriate legislators for their support.

SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE

City Attorney