July 30, Dear Supervisors:

Transcription

1 The Honorable Board of Supervisors County of Los Angeles 383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, California Dear Supervisors: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SHERIFF TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD FROM THE GOVERNOR S OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING AND TO SERVE AS PROJECT DIRECTOR (ALL DISTRICTS) (3 VOTES) IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD: 1. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment I) authorizing: - the Sheriff to accept a Southern California High Tech Task Force Identity Theft Detail grant award from the Governor s Office of Criminal Justice Planning for Calendar Year 2002, in the total amount of $570,000, and - the Sheriff or his designees, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles, to serve as Project Director of the program and to sign and execute said grant award and to perform all further tasks necessary for completion of the project, including execution of amendments, extensions, contracts, grant renewals and other award documents.

2 Page 2 PURPOSE /JUSTIFICATION OF RECOMMENDED ACTION On June 20, 2002 the Governor s Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) notified the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department of their $570,000 allocation. The OCJP selected the Los Angeles Sheriff s Department (LASD) to be the lead agency for receipt of the OCJP grant award for the Southern California High Tech Task Force Identity Theft Detail (SCHTTFITD). This letter requests authorization to accept the grant funds for the period of January 1, 2002 through December 31, It is important to approve this grant retroactively as the salary portion of the grant, $86,898 can be claimed from January 1, It is necessary to accept this grant now in order to receive funding for this calendar year. The OCJP requires that the attached resolution, which has been approved as to form by County Counsel, be adopted by the Board of Supervisors. It is anticipated that this program will be extended into 2003 so all grant funds can be expended. As a result of the passage of Senate Bill 438 Chapter 906, Statutes of 1997 and included in Penal Code Section et. seq., the Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County enforcement and prosecution agencies have been collaborating with other local and state enforcement agencies in the California Statewide High Technology Crime Apprehension and Prosecution Program. Senate Bill 438 and Penal Code Section also establishes a program of financial and technical assistance in the OCJP which has been designated the HTTAP. The OCJP awarded a High Technology Theft and Apprehension grant to the Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Orange County also known as the Southern California High Tech Task Force, through the LASD, who was designated by your Board, as the Project Director. Now as an additional program under the High Tech Task Force grant the Identity Theft Detail has been created and funded. The SCHTTFITD will provide the highest quality law enforcement investigative and support services in the identity theft field. The detail will support local law enforcement agencies with training, and expertise to assist in investigations and the prosecution of identity theft crimes. The detail will support the people of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties through investigation and prosecution efforts.

3 Page 3 Southern California has been overwhelmed with incidents of identity theft. LASD received 5,652 cases over a 44 month period. In July 1999 the LASD developed the first task force in the nation to combat identity theft crimes. The detail includes participants from the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Eleven investigators and one sergeant make up the detail, which serves more than nine million citizens living in Los Angeles County alone. In the last 21 months the detail has taken a vigorous pro-active approach to fight identity theft. The detail served 132 search warrants, arrested 92 violators, and convicted 126 people. Nearly $700,000 in fraudulently obtained property was recovered. Identity theft crimes are on the rise and continue to be of major concern to our citizens. The LASD will provide grant funded and in-kind support staff for the High Tech Task Force and it s Identity Theft Detail. All participating agencies will donate at least 40 hours per month to assist in Task Force and Identity Theft investigations. Implementation of Strategic Plan Goals The program conforms to the Los Angeles County Strategic Plan Goal No. 1 Service Excellence by providing committed employees to support the High Technology Crime Task Force and Identity Theft Detail in the community. The Task Force will reduce the number of High Tech Crimes and Identity Theft Crimes, and improve the quality of life for citizens in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties. The program also supports Strategy No. 5 by providing for Families Well-being. FISCAL IMPACT/FINANCING This grant award is for the twelve-month period commencing January 1, 2002, and ending December 31, The Grant award of $ 570,000 is for administrative, & investigative positions, operating expenses, and equipment for the detail. A 25 percent in-kind match of $142,500 is required to receive grant funding. The LASD is contributing this match by donating a portion of a Captain, Lieutenant, Bonus II, Bonus I, and Word Processor Sheriff positions from existing budgeted funds. Funding for this program has been included in the Sheriff s Budget.

4 Page 4 From: State of California Office of Criminal Justice Planning $ 570,000 Total $ 570,000 To: Los Angeles County Sheriff $ 570,000 (Position Funding $86,898 Services & Supplies $417,055, Equipment $66,047) Total $ 570,000 FACTS AND PROVISIONS/LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Due to the passage of Senate Bill 438, Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties enforcement and prosecution agencies are involved with Local and State enforcement agencies in the California Statewide High Technology Crime Apprehension and Prosecution Program. This program has become a statewide effort to address the growing rate of high technology crime that is either undetected, unenforced, or unreported to law enforcement. According to the American Electronics Association, high tech crimes in the United States reached a total of $3.5 trillion in The participating agencies of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties are one of the State s Regional Task Forces under this program. The Identity Theft Detail is a major component of the Task Force. Other regional Task Forces currently operational are located in the Sacramento Valley area, Santa Clara County, Marin County and San Diego County. This Board letter has been cleared by County Counsel and other affected departments.

5 Page 5 CONCLUSION Upon the Board s action, the Sheriff s Department Grants Unit needs to obtain four individually certified copies of the Board-adopted letter and three executed Resolutions containing original signatures. The Sheriff s Department contacts for the requested Board action are: Judi E. Thomas, Acting Assistant Director, Fiscal Administration at (323) , or Bob Helmar, Grants Coordinator, at (323) Respectfully submitted, LEROY D. BACA SHERIFF

6 Honorable Board of Supervisors Page 6 LDB:MJD:VCR:PAH:JET:RWH:rwh (Fiscal Administration - Grants Unit) Attachments (1) c: David E. Janssen, Chief Administrative Officer Lloyd W. Pellman, County Counsel Steve Cooley, District Attorney J. Tyler McCauley, Auditor-Controller Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors William T. Stonich, Undersheriff Dennis C. Dahlman, Assistant Sheriff Larry L. Waldie, Assistant Sheriff Michael E. Soderberg, Chief, Detective Division Marvin J. Dixon, Chief, Administrative Services Division Victor C. Rampulla, Assistant Division Director, Administrative Services Division Pat Hawkins, Director, Fiscal Administration Jerome W. Schmiedeke, Commander, Detective Division Robert J. Malone, Captain, Commercial Crimes Bureau Rick Craigo, Lieutenant, Commercial Crimes Bureau Bob Berardi, Sergeant, Commercial Crimes Bureau Grants Unit Chron \\1-shq-01\Shared Files\Grants Unit\Marcelle\IdentyTheft\BL.wpd