Adopt resolution granting the District Attorney and/or Chief Deputy District Attorney authority to accept, on behalf of Yolo County, $2,012,849 awarded by the California Board of State and Community Corrections for the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant and adopt budget resolution increasing the District Attorney's 2023/24 budget by $361,597. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Reisig)

On July 7th, the Yolo County District Attorney applied for the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant through the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).  We applied for $2,012,849 for a grant period of 10/1/23-6/1/27.

On September 14, 2023, we were notified by the BSCC that we were awarded our full request.

The newly formed retail theft prosecution unit will be a specialized unit within the Yolo County's District Attorney's Office.  They will focus on investigating and prosecuting cases of organized retail theft, ensuring that defendants are held accountable through prosecution or alternative programs.  This unit will specialize in cases involving retail theft, shoplifting, and organized retail crime while establishing a strong working relationship with local retailers, loss prevention personnel, and local law enforcement to assist in sharing information, surveillance footage and evidence gathering to build stronger cases.  By actively prosecuting retail theft cases, this unit will contribute to the prevention and recidivism of theft related crime in the retail sector which protects businesses and provides a better experience for the consumer.

The grant will be funding a limited-term Deputy District Attorney IV, a limited-term DA Investigator II, and a 50% limited-term Crime and Intelligence Analyst. Remaining funds are budgeted for operational expenses and a vehicle for the DA Investigator to travel within Yolo County and to neighboring counties to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies and retailers. Funds are also budgeted for an evaluator and a state required audit.

The District Attorney and the newly created Organized Retail Theft unit will be collaborating with local law enforcement agencies as well as retailers. This list includes Davis PD, Woodland PD, West Sacramento PD, Winters PD, UC Davis PD, Yolo County Sheriff, the California Highway, Raleys, Ikea, Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Nugget, Home Depot and TJ Maxx.  We are expecting additional retailers to join.  We are currently working with AXON and Auror to help create a robust solution and communicating with Sacramento Regional ORCA group and Sacramento District Attorney's Office.

County Counsel has reviewed and signed the board and budget resolution and the Department of Financial Services has approved the budget resolution.

No Competitive Bid