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Consideration Items
Item No. 1.
| MEETING DATE: 08/07/2023 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Adam Foster, Chief of Police |
| SUBJECT: | CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO THE REWARD FUND PROGRAM BY ELIMINATING THE ESTABLISHED BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO A NEW STREAMLINED PROCESS TO FACILITATE A QUICKER RESPONSE TO SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS OR PROPERTY
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
A. Consider and approve staff recommendations for improvements to the Reward Fund Program; and
B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ____ ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, DISBANDING THE LA HABRA REWARD FUND COMMITTEE AND ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR THE CITY OF LA HABRA TO PROVIDE REWARDS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO FELONY ARRESTS.
A. Consider and approve staff recommendations for improvements to the Reward Fund Program; and
B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ____ ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, DISBANDING THE LA HABRA REWARD FUND COMMITTEE AND ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR THE CITY OF LA HABRA TO PROVIDE REWARDS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO FELONY ARRESTS.
DISCUSSION:
In June 1995, the City Council approved the formation of a Reward Fund Program governed by a Board of Directors. At that time, the Reward Fund Program allowed the Board of Directors to offer a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a wanted person, or persons. Since established in 1995, the Reward Fund Program has operated under the following guidelines:
- Reward fund shall be up to, but not exceed, $50,000
- The reward fund shall be governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of:
- (2) members of the City Council
- (2) members of the public, appointed by the City Council
- (1) member of staff who serves as a Department Head or Assistant Department head, appointed by the City Manager
- The Board of Directors shall establish the protocol for the selection of major felony cases, establish rewards and amounts, review applications for rewards (upon arrest and conviction), announce and publicize the reward, and coordinate with police or fire personnel to operate the program.
Since 1995, the Reward Fund Program has operated under the guidelines outlined above, governed by the Board of Directors. Understandably, in the 30 years since its inception, the Board of Directors has changed and several community members have honorably donated their time. To date, there have been several unsolved criminal cases that have been presented to the Board of Directors, but there have been no rewards awarded for the arrest and conviction of a wanted person or persons.
More recently, however, staff reviewed the City’s Reward Fund Program, along with those of other agencies located in Orange and Los Angeles counties, to determine whether the program operates efficiently to best serve the community and to provide a necessary tool in solving crime. Coupled with significant changes in technology over the past 30 years, staff concluded that improvements to the program can be made, and recommends a streamlined approach for offering a reward. If approved, the new process will eliminate the current Board of Directors and enable investigators to gather “real time” information in the field and expedite the process to offer a monetary reward for valuable information as a case evolves. The speed of information sharing via Social Media and online news reporting has made gathering information a time sensitive mission. Critical leads such as locations, phone numbers, and involved vehicles can change instantaneously.
To facilitate a more streamlined and expedited process, staff recommends the following process:
More recently, however, staff reviewed the City’s Reward Fund Program, along with those of other agencies located in Orange and Los Angeles counties, to determine whether the program operates efficiently to best serve the community and to provide a necessary tool in solving crime. Coupled with significant changes in technology over the past 30 years, staff concluded that improvements to the program can be made, and recommends a streamlined approach for offering a reward. If approved, the new process will eliminate the current Board of Directors and enable investigators to gather “real time” information in the field and expedite the process to offer a monetary reward for valuable information as a case evolves. The speed of information sharing via Social Media and online news reporting has made gathering information a time sensitive mission. Critical leads such as locations, phone numbers, and involved vehicles can change instantaneously.
To facilitate a more streamlined and expedited process, staff recommends the following process:
- A formal written request from the Chief of Police to the City Manager. The formal request must, at a minimum, identify the nature of the crime, date of occurrence, and the proposed reward amount.
- The City Manager may authorize a reward amount up to, but not to exceed, $25,000.
- Information must be received by the La Habra Police Department within 90 days of the reward offer, unless otherwise extended by the City Council.
- The reward will only be paid upon the verified information resulting in an arrest and conviction.
- No claim for a reward shall be awarded until the City investigates and verifies the accuracy of the claim and determines that the requirements have been satisfied.
The recommended modifications to the Reward Fund Program will allow for an expedited process to offer a monetary reward for valuable information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of a wanted person, or persons. The City Council will be notified of any and all reward funds, and will authorize budget modifications. If approved, the current Reward Fund Program and Board of Directors will be dissolved and replaced with an updated Reward Fund Program that allows the Chief of Police and City Manager to more efficiently offer and pay rewards. Therefore, it is recommended that the Reward Fund Program established in 1995 be dissolved and replaced with an updated Reward Fund Program to facilitate an expedited response to serious crimes against person(s) or property.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
There is no fiscal impact at this time as there is no general fund money allocated for the program. Additionally, there is no current request for a reward.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE/CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
P.S. 1. Responsive and efficient police and law enforcement services that protect and provide for a safe and secure community.
Goal 1. Public Safety
Goal 1. Public Safety