R2011-038 - 2011-03-28RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -38
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS, AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE OTHER VICTIM'S
ASSISTANCE GRANT "OVAG THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pearland (hereinafter "City finds it in the
best interest of the citizens of Pearland to participate in the OVAG; and
WHEREAS, the City agrees that the entity will not use the existence of an Office of
the Attorney General grant award to offset or decrease total salaries, expenses, and
allowances that the applicant receives from the governing body at or after the time the
grant is awarded; and
WHEREAS, the City agrees that in the event of Toss or misuse of the Office of the
Attorney General funds, the City assures that the funds will be returned to the Office of the
Attorney General in full; and
WHEREAS, the City designates the City Manager or his designee as the grantee's
authorized official. The authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject,
alter or terminate the grant on behalf of the applicant agency; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the City approves submission of the grant application for the
OVAG to the Office of the Attorney General, Crime Victim Service Division.
RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -38
ATTEST:
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this the 28 day of March, A.D., 2011.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DARRIN M. COKER
CITY ATTORNEY
2 ta,--- h, Orit_____
2
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TOM REID
MAYOR
Crime Victim Services Division OVAGNCLG Application Office of the Attorney General
TAB A-Organization
00101-12-1426
1.ORGANIZATION
Unique Application Number(UAN) " 00101-12-1426
Legal Name of Applicant _ City of Pearland
Name of Agency Contact Joel Hardy-Grants Coordinator
Agency Contact's Telephone Number 281-652-1795
Amount Requested %of Personnel and Fringe Requested
FY 2012 $42,000.00 100%
FY 2013 $42,00000 100%
2:MISSION STATEMENT _• . .` :.-;-
2.1 Provide,the mission statement of•your.organization. '
The mission of the Pearland Police Department is to provide professional service to the community and develop citizen
partnerships to work together to enforce laws,reduce fear and positively impact the quality of life in Pearland.
3:1,Give a description of the history of your organization including the purpose for which it was'created. •.
Settlement of the City of Pearland sprang from railroad development in 1892.First known as Mark Belt,the town was soon
platted and renamed to reflect the abundance of pear orchards in the vicinity.Such famous names as Cabeza de Vaca,La Salle,
and Stephen F.Austin leap out from this tumultuous chapter of Texas'colorful history that traces the area's development to
present-day Pearland.In 1959 an election was held for the position for city marshal. Mr.Jack Miller was elected and became the
first"lawman"of Pearland. His time in office was short as a new city council and mayor were elected.In Feburary 1960 Pearland
City Council adopted Ordinance No.10 Code 2-2. The ordinance called to dispense of the office of City Marshal and at the same
time confer the duties of the office to a city police officer. The ordinance set an effective date of April 6th,1960 for the Pearland
Police Department.The Pearland Police Department celebrated its 50th anniversary serving the citizens and community of
Pearland this past year.The purpose of the Pearland Police Department is to provide the equitable,fair and impratial application
of laws and ordinances without regard to race,color,creed,sex or station in life;treating all individuals with tolerance,
compassion and dignity.
3.2 Give a description•of how the organization anization has evolved to'its current structure,this may include the scope of service,
geographic areas covered,staff heirarchy,legal organization,etc.
From 1993 to 2002,the Pearland Police Department handled victim assistance services through the assignment of duties to an
existing investigator/detective.In addition to the normal duties associated with investigating crimes,this person also handled the
act of providing victim assistance services to local citizens.As population and geographic growth increased,crime increased and
the complexity of the impact on victims. Population dynamics have resulted in the need for more types of support/services.
Increased family violence and assault in Pearland has resulted in the need for more accompaniments and crisis counseling
support for victims.A westward expansion of the City's boundaries through annexation,as well as new residents and commercial
growth,resulted in the need for more dedicated services.2010 Census calculations indicate that Pearland has experienced a
massive 142%growth since 2000.It is imperative,based on the City's growth,that additional staff resources be incorporated into
the Police Investigations Division's Victim Assistance Program.The City itself is operated and managed under the direct
leadership of a City Manager.Elected officials,in the form of a City Council and Mayor,provide governance over the City's
operations.Department directors appropriate duties in the various sectors of municipal operations required to meet the needs of
our citizens.The Police Department,as such,has an appointed Chief of Police and the standard hierarchy of officers assigned to
distribute required law enforcement duties throughout the public safety organization.
4 VICTIM SERVICES EXPERIENCE. YEARS.
4.1 How many,years:has the organization been providing victim-related services or assistance?_ 19
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Crime Victim Services Division OVAGNCLG Application Office of the Attorney General
TAB A-Organization
00101-12-1426
5:VICTIM SERVICES WORK, - • . . - - -
Provide a description of the work.the organization-is doing on behalf of Victims of Crime. '
The goal of the Victim Assistance Program is to assist victims of crime,protect and advocate the rights of victims,provide
necessary information,and prevent further victimization.Crime victims who make a police report are subsequently contacted by
phone,mail or in person.The liaison informs victims about police procedures,community resources,and available programs that
will assist victims during the aftermath of a crime.The liaison is also on call to respond to after-hour emergencies,and to provide
assistance.The program provides updates on case status,information about the criminal justice system,court and hospital
accompaniment,and emergency transportation to women shelters for victims that seek support from the Crime Victim Assistance
Program.Depending on the type of crime that has occurred,victims can receive information on shelters,counseling services or
referrals to support and social service agencies.The program can also assist with information about parole notification,and assist
with a parole protest.Crime victims are contacted to determine their eligibility for financial assistance when they have exhausted
their own financial resources.The Crime Victims'Compensation Fund-paid out of court costs generated by criminal convictions-
provides for medical bills,counseling,lost wages,funeral expenses and other crime related expenses without any cost to
taxpayers.
5.2 How doekthis work fit into the organization's overall goals and objectives? _
Providing Pearland citizens with victims'assistance services has been part of the work of the Pearland Police Department for
almost two decades now.Dedicating professional and effective staff roles to the effort to improve the support that crime victims
receive in their efforts to seek justice and experience restoration has been a significant priority over the past ten years.For nine of
those,one staff person has handled the duties of administering such services.However,Pearland has experienced tremendous
population and geographic growth during that time span.In fact,being one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in the State of
Texas,it is incumbent upon the City to vastly increase the capacity for attending to the needs of local crime victims.According to
the Pearland FY11 Citizens Survey,the Police Department rates as having the highest percentage of contact with local
households.Therefore,it is critical that the supportive and community-based services provided for crime victims be of the highest
caliber and have positive outcomes.One of three objectives for the Police Investigations Division of the Pearland Police
Department is to secure funding for a second position in the victim assistance program to enhance communication between
victims of crime and the Police Department.
6.1 Does the currently have a volunteer prograrn;'or plan'to'implernent one thieqrant term? Yes
6,2 How:manV,volunteerewere-active within the last year?-- . 2
6.3 Describe how the ordanizitiori-uttlizee"or plans to utilize volunteers to support the orgahizatiOn'e'MiOion;including any
specific victim related services.' - ' . • -
The Police Crime Victim Assistance Program utilizes two volunteers that support the efforts to provide victim-related services to
Pearland crime victims.One intern and one community volunteer assist with administrative and programmatic duties of grant-
funded aspects of the Victim Assistance Program.They perform some duties involving information distribution and referrals.
6.4 Describe training for volunteers including both training required prior to providing services and ongoing training conducted
throughout the'volunteer's service. - , -
Volunteers are trained to provide administrative and introductory level crime victim assistance services.They assist with grant
reporting,data collection and management,as well as coordination of materials distributed for information and referral purposes.
Two volunteers participate in this training as part of the requirement for being selected for their assistive duties.
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Crime Victim Services Division OVAGNCLG Application Office of the Attorney General
TAB A-Organization
00101-12-1426
6.5 Describe how the organization recruits and retains volunteers or plans to-do so.
The Police Crime Victim Assistance Program partners with various organizations throughout the community and distributes
information about volunteer opportunities throughout the community of stakeholders that it works with on a regular basis.The
program also recruits a volunteer intern from the University of Houston-Clear Lake's Pearland campus each year.
7.COLLABORATIONS,
realized by victims of crime as a result.7�1`Descritie the benefits rea of your organizatron's collaboration(s)with other organizations(if
your organization collaborates)or through your organization alone(if your organization does not collaborate).
Victims benefit greatly from the collaborative efforts of the Pearland Police Crime Victim Assistance Program.They are able to
receive quality crisis counseling services,referrals to shelters and legal advocacy resources,and support for their efforts to
remove themselves from environments containing family violence or abuse.
7.2 If your organization collaborates provide a list of the organizations,including the organization type(law enforcement agency,
advocacy center;hospital;task force,etc.)the_ applicant collaborates with to serve victims of crime for the purpose of supporting
or;assisting in victim"recovery.
The Pearland Police Department's Crime Victim Assistance Program works closely with local community-based organizations,
Brazoria County,Pearland's Municipal Court,Brazoria County Women's Center,local hospitals,and has a Working Agreement
with the Texas Department of Public Safety.The program works well with external partners,however our community does
struggle with a low number of options for victims where seeking assistance from Pearland-based community organizations.
Referrals that can assist a victim facing economic hardships may be referred to the Adult Reading Center for participation in adult
literacy and workforce development programs,as well as to the Pearland Neighborhood Center for emergency utility and/or rental
assistance if they are low-moderate income persons or families.These kinds of partnerships will be improved and solidified in the
coming months.
8.STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS EXPERIENCE YEARS.
8.1 How many years ofexpenende does'the organization have in•managing state or federal grant funds?" 13+
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