13.c.
Commissioners Court Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 10/15/2024
- Title:
- FY 2025 SAVNS Grant Acceptance
- Submitted for:
- Kimberly Bautista
- Submitted By:
- Kimberly Bautista
- Department:
- Water Utilities
Subject:
Discussion and possible action to accept a grant award in the amount of $31,193.82 (OAG Contract No. C-01832) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAVNS) from the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG) for the automated notification of crime victims for a period of Twelve (12) months beginning on September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2025, and authorizing the Webb County Judge to execute all relevant documents; and any other matters incident thereto. There is no cash match, and, thus, there is no impact on the general fund. All required documents were sent for review through the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by the Webb County Sheriff's Office, Fund #2712-3010-443000-035]
Issue: In the past decades, many crime victims, such as victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, were unaware if their respective crime perpetrators were able to post bail and be released from the correction's system. In late 1993, one particular victim who had been raped, assaulted, and stalked in Jefferson County was unaware that her former boyfriend had been released and was subsequently ambushed by him after she left work. She was shot seven (7) times at point-blank range and killed on that day, her 21st birthday.
Solution: As a result of community outrage, an automated telephone notification system for crime victims and other concerned citizens was instituted: Victim Information and Notification Every day (VINE) Service. This nationwide system is funded by Texas counties through the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and is currently utilized by Webb County.
Result: The crime victims of Laredo/Webb County can enroll in this program and will be provided with automated notification upon an offender’s custody status change, such as release, transfer, and/or relevant district court dates.
Issue: In the past decades, many crime victims, such as victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, were unaware if their respective crime perpetrators were able to post bail and be released from the correction's system. In late 1993, one particular victim who had been raped, assaulted, and stalked in Jefferson County was unaware that her former boyfriend had been released and was subsequently ambushed by him after she left work. She was shot seven (7) times at point-blank range and killed on that day, her 21st birthday.
Solution: As a result of community outrage, an automated telephone notification system for crime victims and other concerned citizens was instituted: Victim Information and Notification Every day (VINE) Service. This nationwide system is funded by Texas counties through the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and is currently utilized by Webb County.
Result: The crime victims of Laredo/Webb County can enroll in this program and will be provided with automated notification upon an offender’s custody status change, such as release, transfer, and/or relevant district court dates.
Background:
This crime victim service program is provided in order to remain in compliance with the requirements set by the Texas Constitution Article I Bill of Rights (Section 30 Rights of Crime Victims) and as further outlined by Chapter 56 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Previous Court Action:
The acceptance of the agreement is approved on a yearly basis.
Fiscal Impact
- Budget Account Number:
- 2712
- Funding Source:
- Grant Revenue
- Balance:
- $31,193.82
Financial Impact:
$31,193.82 total grant funding
Therefore, there is no impact on the general fund.
Therefore, there is no impact on the general fund.