HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-16 City Council (2)TO:
FROM:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
7
DATE:JULY 16, 2001 CMR:301:01
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURE OF ASSET SEIZURE FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $36,500
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve expenditures in the amount of $36,500 from the Asset
Seizure Fund to cover costs for a crime scene/accident measuring device, identity theft software
and training, and replacement furniture for the Watch Commander’s, Technical Services
Coordinator’s and Police Administrator’s offices.
BACKGROUND
The California Health and Safety Code governs the seizure and forfeiture of property associated
with drug trafficking. Seizure typically occurs during arrest or search warrant service related
to the sales of narcotics, when Palo Alto officers, as well as representatives of other multi-
agency task forces, may seize these illegal funds as evidence. In Santa Clara County, a Deputy
District Attorney is specifically assigned to handle asset forfeiture cases and to help local
agencies properly process their cases. Monies seized by law enforcement agencies are held by
the District Attorney’s Office in a special account until the related case(s) are adjudicated. The
process of seizing funds is a civil proceeding, wholly independent of any criminal filing or
conviction and requires strict procedural adherence. At the conclusion of the Superior Court
proceedings, funds are returned to the law enforcement agencies. Legislation mandates that
seized funds are not to be used to defer normal operating expenses or supplement the General
Fund, but should be used for special purchases and projects associated with law enforcement
activities. For the City of Palo Alto, these funds are deposited into an Asset Seizure Fund
created by the City’s Administrative Services Dep~rtment, and, with City Council approval, .
released for expenditure purposes.
CMR:301:01 Page 1 of 3
DISCUSSION
Currently, the Asset Seizure Fund totals approximately $52,600. The Police Department
proposes spending $36,500 in Asset Seizure funds in the following mariner:
Sokkia Series 100 Total Station ($15,000) - The need for exact, detailed diagramming of major
injury accidents and complex criminal investigations has increased over the past few years.
Each of these accident/crime scenes requires extensive measurements taken by a number of
officers. This is not only very labor intensive, but also very costly due to the number of hours
required to complete the measurements. An example of this is the major injury accident that
occurred at San Antonio Road and Leghorn, where a bicyclist was dragged under a vehicle for
over one-half mile. It took 12 police officers, the entire Specialized Traffic Accident
Reconstruction (STAR) team, and additional assistance from Mountain View community
service officers to process the extensive accident scene. The time required to process this
accident scene and the number of personnel required could have been drastically reduced if this
piece of equipment had been available. This device allows for exact measuring from many
angles, and considerably reduces the amount of time required for processing. This piece of
equipment would pay for itself in a very short time, by reducing the number of officers required
to complete these types of investigations.
Identity theft hardware, software and training ($15,000) - With the increase in high-tech crime
and Intemet identity theft cases, the Department has assigned an investigator to specifically
handle the high volume of crimes. These crimes are always complicated and require significant
. tracking and computer forensics. In order to provide a basic level of service in this area, these
funds would allow for the initial purchase of the necessary computer.hardware and software and
provide associated training. Ongoing costs will be absorbed in the Department’s operating
budget.
Furniture ($6,500) - Due to space limitations, the Watch Commander’s office must be
reconfigured to accommodate additional staff sharing the same office. The current furniture is
not functional for two or more people working in the office at the same time. To meet the
challenge of space constraints, offices for the Technical Services Coordinator and Police
Administrator had to be relocated to different parts of the Police building. Both offices are
currently set up with recycled furniture that is not functional and is in need of replacement.
RESOURCE IMPACT
CMR:301:01 Page 2 of 3
In compliance with State requirements, the City has an established Asset Seizure Fund in which
monies are deposited. If the staff recommendation is approved, a $16,133 balance will remain.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation does not represent any change to existing City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PREPARED BY:
LESLIE JENNINGS
Police Administrator
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
PATRICK
Chief of Police
EMILY hARRIS-~N
Assistant City Manager
CMR:301:01 Page 3 of 3