Title
Authorize the Sheriff's Office to apply for the Marijuana Suppression Program (MSP) grant application in the amount of $179,873 with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to continue funding for the County of Monterey Marijuana Eradication Team (COMMET) Program for the period of October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors authorize the Sheriff's Office to apply for the Marijuana Suppression Program (MSP) grant application in the amount of $179,873 with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to continue funding for the County of Monterey Marijuana Eradication Team (COMMET) Program for the period of October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.
SUMMARY:
The program began in Monterey County in 1992. The proposed application is for the period of October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 in the proposed amount of approximately $179,873 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 are 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 $179,873 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 $283,000 and are included in the approved Fiscal Year 2013-14 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: Nora Cervantes, Accounting Technician
Approved by: Scott Miller, Sheriff-Coroner
Attachments:
COMMET Resolution