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Commissioner Brown - Police Department - Appropriation of Funds from the Federal (Treasury/Justice) Drug Asset Forfeiture and Equitable Sharing Program and the Controlled Substance Abuse Tax for the Purpose of Purchasing Department Equipment ($365,000)
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STAFF CONTACT
J. D. Ramey - Gaston County Police Department - 704-866-3321
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
No Additional County Funds.
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The Comprehensive Control Act of 1984 and the Anti-Drug Act of 1986 provide for distribution among participating law enforcement agencies of assets forfeited in connection with drug related arrest and the above laws prohibit the use of such funds to reduce local funds budgeted for law enforcement programs.
The Gaston County Police Department has received funds from the Federal Drug Asset Forfeiture and Equitable Sharing Program and the state Controlled Substance Abuse Tax. Funds are to be allocated from the Drug Asset Fund Balance and the Controlled Substance Abuse Tax Fund Balance (Budget Change Request attached). The Gaston County Police Department requests funds to be appropriated for purchasing the following equipment:
1. Emergency Response Team Equipment Truck - The Emergency Response Team requests a replacement truck for their operations. The current vehicle is a 1997 model truck that has reached the end of life due to age and no longer meeting the needs of the agency. The older truck is larger than needed and not as mobile as the proposed replacement vehicle. The current team has become more mobile and responsive to situations and the smaller vehicle fits those needs better. The department has received a quote for a Ford F550 frame that is four-wheel drive in order to maneuver in the varied environmental conditions of the rural county area. The quote includes vehicle chassis, equipment box and accessories. Total cost for the vehicle is $114,116.90. Costs for up fit of the vehicle and equipment box by Kodiak Upfitters is $14,954.39. Costs for adding emergency lighting, radio and decals (up fit handled by Fleet Maintenance) $7,000. Total cost $136,071.29.
2. Replacement Ballistic Helmets - each sworn member of the department is issued a ballistic rated helmet for use in various situations. These helmets provide NIJ compliant ballistic protection for the officer. Due to the ballistic rating, the helmets have a life span of 60 months and are no longer certified as ballistic rated after that period. Currently, all helmets issued to officers are expired. The attached quote for replacement helmets includes a mesh liner suspension system that makes the helmet sizing universal and does not require the need to order by sizing of individual officers. A quote in the amount of $64,200 from Lawmen’s is attached. This purchase will be under state contract - 680C.
3. Radio Equipment for SRO Grant positions - Gaston County received the COPS Grant for 10 School Resource Officer positions when there was no funding budgeted for equipment associated with those positions. This necessitates the need to purchase scanners, mobile and portable radios for those positions. The radios, software, programing and associated equipment from Motorola is $101,003.90. The scanners are approximately $4,500 including shipping and tax. This purchase will be under state contract - 725G.
4. Additional laptop accessories and air cards are needed to outfit patrol and the SRO positions. Laptops are to be purchased through a grant but the department will be responsible for all accessories needed such as cable, mounts, etc.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Budget Change Request (BCR) and Quotes