Title
Approve and authorize the Sheriff to submit a grant application to the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for Marijuana Suppression Program grant funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2012-13.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended by the Sheriff that the Board of Supervisors approve and authorize the Sheriff to submit a grant application to the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for Marijuana Suppression Program grant funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2012-13.
SUMMARY:
The program began in Monterey County in 1992. The proposed application is for the period of October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013 in the proposed amount of approximately $186,494 and there is no local match required for this program.
DISCUSSION:
The Marijuana Suppression Program began in 1992 and was named County of Monterey Marijuana Eradication Team (COMMET). Two (2) Deputy Sheriffs were assigned to the enforcement operation. Monterey County has been experiencing problems with the illegal cultivation of marijuana. Since the inception of this program the area of focus is to provide law enforcement personnel to patrol heavily wooded and rough terrain in the outlying areas of the County; to investigate, arrest and suppress marijuana activities; to assist prosecutors by improving and enhancing their prosecutorial efforts on marijuana cultivators and traffickers; and to provide public awareness of the dangers of marijuana use. In previous years there has been measurable success in the detection, eradication and prosecution of cultivators and traffickers which has led to continued grant opportunities.
There are two other seasonal programs which focus on the elimination of marijuana in California: the state-coordinated Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) Program through the U.S. Forestry Service and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program (DCE/SP). COMMET task forces conduct joint operations with these agencies during the peak of the outdoor growing season.
The Federal government has allocated funding from the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to BSCC up to $186,494 for County of Monterey. The Sheriff's Office will assure compliance with all legal and programmatic requirements and will be responsible for the achievement of the performance goals described in this application. This is a reimbursement program grant.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administration Office has reviewed the report.
FINANCING:
The current salaries and benefits for this program are estimated at $273,000 and are included in the approved Fiscal Year 2012-13 Sheriff's Budget. The Sheriff's Office is planning to use salary savings for the difference between grant award amount and estimated costs to keep this successful and valuable program for the County.
Prepared by: Deborah Budd, Accounting Clerical Supervisor
Approved by: Scott Miller, Sheriff-Coroner