The City was notified that it is eligible for an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) continuation grant for 2012 in the amount of $230,650.  This will be sixth year that the City could receive the grant.  This grant financially supports the Billings Police Department and fourteen affiliated agencies in the education, investigation, and prosecution of on-line child exploitation and pornography cases.  This grant is for a twelve (12) month period (July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013) and will provide money for the salary and benefits of the program manager, overtime for the Montana affiliate task force officers, training, equipment, and supplies.  The application must be completed, on line, by April 30, 2012.  City Council is being asked to approve the submittal of the continuation grant application and acceptance of the grant award in the amount of $230,650, and when the award documents are received, to authorize the Mayor to sign.

The City Council may:

• Approve application submittal and finalization of 2012 ICAC Continuation Grant; or
• Do not approve application submittal and finalization of 2012 ICAC Continuation Grant, which would result in less resources to investigate internet based child exploitation and pornography cases.

One officer is assigned to the grant to investigate internet based child exploitation and pornography cases.  This position is already budgeted in the Detectives Division however, overtime and operational costs related to on-going investigations will be reimbursed by the grant.  There will be City dollars spent, but these expenditures will be reimbursed through quarterly draws. 

Staff recommends that City Council approve the submittal of the 2012 ICAC Continuation Grant application and acceptance of the grant award in the amount of $230,650, and when the award documents are received, to authorize the Mayor to sign.