HomeMy WebLinkAbout0147.091,
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February 14, 1991
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, California
Asset S~ure -Expenditure of Funds
Members of the Council:
Report in Brief
Council action is requested to approve an expenditure of $10,000
trom the Asset Seizure Fund to cover c.osts of Police Department
equipment purchases.
Backgr'lund
On January 1, 1989, Assembly Bill 4162 became effective~ This bill
facilitates the effective seizing and forfeiting of property and
money associated with drug trafficKing. The leqislative intent
behind the 1aw is to curtail the drug trade~s profitability by cut
ting into its money and resources. The legislation stipulates that
the seized property and funds are not to be used to defer normal
operating expenses, but utilized fer special purchases and projects
associated with law enforcement activities. Since the law has been
effecti~l"e, the Police Department has received approximately $75~ 000
in forfeited monies.
Monies seized by the Police Department are deposited into a~ Asset
Seizure Fund created by the Finance Department. Subsequent to de
posit, a check drawn on that account is made out to the County
Auditor. The check, toqether with the criminal case, is taken to
the District Attorney's office. The County holds all funds until
the forfeiture adjudication process is completed. The moni~~ are
then returned to the City and released for expenditure purposes.
In August 1990, council approved expenditures of approlCimately
$60,000 in asset seizure funds for equipment, including portable
radios that allow officers mUlti-agency communication capability,
and equipment to enhance the p~ocessing o~ latent fingerprints.
CMR:147:91
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Proposed Equipment Purchase
Usinq recently released as~et seizure funds, the Police Department
staff plans to purchase and operate six cellular phcnes at an
estimated cost of $10.,000. Cellular phones will great.ly improve
communications during emergency situations such as natural
disasters, major crime scene investigations and critical incidents
and provide for improved confidentiality of those communications.
A<Y.1itionally I cellular phones expand communications coverage to
~reas that existing radio channels are unable to reach. officers
will have direct communication access to the public, thereby
increasing responsiveness and reducing third-party calls by
dispatchers.
Recommendation
staff recommends that Council approve the expenditure of $10,000
from the Asset seizure Fund.
~"tfUl
CMR: 147:91
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