Title
a. Adopt a resolution to authorize the Sheriff’s acceptance of $252,756 from the California Department of Justice (DOJ), Tobacco Grant Program (4/5th vote required); and
b. Approve and Authorize the Sheriff or her designee to execute a retroactive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Department of Justice (Agreement DOJ-PROP56-2024-25-1-046) for a Tobacco Law Enforcement Grant in the amount of $252,756 from November 1, 2024, to June 30, 2028.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a resolution to authorize the Sheriff’s acceptance of $252,756 from the California Department of Justice (DOJ), Tobacco Grant Program (4/5th vote required); and
b. Approve and Authorize the Sheriff or her designee to execute a retroactive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Department of Justice (Agreement DOJ-PROP56-2024-25-1-046) for a Tobacco Law Enforcement Grant in the amount of $252,756 from November 1, 2024, to June 30, 2028.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the grant award on October 17, 2024, for a grant period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028.
Monterey County, California, faces a significant public health challenge with high rates of youth tobacco use, driven by a variety of demographic and socioeconomic factors. Recent surveys indicate that a substantial percentage of adolescents in the county are engaging in tobacco use, including traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other vaping products. This trend is particularly pronounced among our population of Hispanic and low-income youth, who are disproportionately targeted by tobacco marketing and have higher rates of usage compared to their peers. Contributing factors include easy access to tobacco products, and lack of robust enforcement of age verification laws. Peer pressure, family influence, and the perception of tobacco as a coping mechanism for stress also play significant roles. Additiona...
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