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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 152 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-152 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 18, 2022 Page 1 of 3 s o � SUBJECT: ASSET FORFEITURE PROGRAM r rn Yg73 The purpose of this Informal Report is to respond to a request for information about the Fort Worth Police Department's asset forfeiture program. This report supplements information provided in a previous Informal Report issued on January 18, 2022. The below crimes are eligible per state law for Asset Forfeiture: • Burglary 0 Computer Crimes 0 Criminal Trespass 0 Drug Charges • Evading Arrest 0 Felony DUI 0 Identity Theft 0 Money Laundering • Weapons Charges 0 1st/2nd degree felonies Asset Forfeiture Process Under Texas State Law Chapter 59 CCP-Asset Forfeiture • Property Seized • Agency Transfers property to County • 30-days to file suit • Owner agrees/contests • Judgement determines if property was likely used in committing crime • Property retuned or proceeds released to participating agencies Federal Asset Forfeiture • Property Seized • Local Agency transfers property to Federal Agency • Agency submits DAG-71 Equitable Sharing Form • Local Agency tracks forfeiture in e-Share Portal • Federal Agency disburses local share of proceeds The following kinds of items have been seized and forfeited through the program: • Automatic and semi-automatic rifles • High-capacity magazines and ammunition • Felony use narcotics • Vehicles (used in felony) • Cell phones • Felony proceeds ($300+ value) • Currency • Property Past Expenditures During the past three fiscal years, the Police Department has expended asset forfeiture funds for a variety of purposes as indicated in the following table. The most common categories are body armor and shields, grant match, and classified services. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-152 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 18, 2022 �s ° ram Page 2 of 3 SUBJECT: ASSET FORFEITURE PROGRAM "+qrF rn Yg7.3 Expense Total Body Armor.Shields $6,616.04 $41 1,798.50 $418,414.54 Camera Equipment $4,854.25 $4,854.25 Classified Services $57,153.00 $78,366.70 $67,604.00 $203,123.70 Crime Lab Annual Accredidation $20,146.00 $20,146.00 Firearms Optics $6,099.00 $6,099.00 Fitness Equipment $30,720.56 $29,342.30 $23,300.00 $83,362.86 Fusion Center Furniture $18,449.56 $18,449.56 Grant Match $85,163.47 $49,992.54 $79,496.29 $214,652.30 K9 Equipment $7,647.00 $1,966.66 $9,613.66 Narcotics Analyzer $22,540.00 $22,540.00 Network Security $23,434.00 $23,434.00 Training $16,104.19 $27,339.09 $1,350.00 $44,793.28 Uniforms $14,413.35 $5,274.63 1 $19,687.98 Total $269,890.61 $622,529.98 $196,750.54 1 $1,089,171.13 **At the end of FY 2022 we had$307,760 encumbered for rifle vests that are not included in this table. Past Cai2mtal Ex enses Justice Asset Forfeiture State Asset Forfeiture • Panoramic Scan Station Surveillance Cameras Renovation of City-Owned Former KXAS Building SWAT Night Vision Ethics Stud 2016 Motorcycle Safety Equipment Directed Response Vehicle Mounted Patrol Equipment Use of Force Simulator Uninterrupted Power Supply 911 K-9Training Renovations Mounted Patrol Trailer NICE Voice Recorder Warehouse Forklift SWAT Rifles Crime Lab Equipment(FTIR) Crime Lab Equipment(LCMS) Drug Market Intervention AV Equipment and Ballistic Vests Crime Scene Scanner 911 Call Taker Console Records System Upgrade Crime Lab Equipment FTIR Fuming Hood Chamber Lab Auto Pound Cameras ESRI Mapping Licenses Crime Lab Equipment(LCMS) Crime Scene Scanner To facilitate coordination of the Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) budget and the Supplemental Funding (Asset Forfeiture) budget, the Chief of Police has instituted a policy change starting in fiscal year 2023. The Police Department benefits significantly from the assistance that other City departments and community stakeholders provide. As such, Police personnel will facilitate the submission of a needs assessment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-152 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 18, 2022 �s ° ram Page 3 of 3 SUBJECT: ASSET FORFEITURE PROGRAM "+qrF rn Yg7.3 on behalf of these departments and organizations to simplify their inclusion in the budget process. Requests from these external parties will be assessed and prioritized along with all Police priorities. They will also be reported to the City Manager's Office (CMO) with all submitted budgets. The CMO will be informed of the description, outcome, and justification for each non-PD request. Additionally, the Police Department will add a representative from the City's Planning and Data Analytics Department to the internal PD budget committee to advise on assessment and deliberation of needs. The needs assessment process may be accessed by working with Police personnel to submit the required information into the Police portal. The needs assessment system is a priority ranking process facilitated by an online form and accessible to Police personnel. Requests submitted by non-Police personnel will be reviewed through the chain of command before being submitted to the internal PD budget committee for prioritization. Once ranked for priority, submissions are reviewed by senior executive staff and the Chief for final ranking. Departments and agencies should contact FWPD to begin this process. Moving forward, all purchasing requests will be viewed through the lens of making measurable impact to safety, wellness, and resiliency for the department and the community. This transition will align our departmental needs with our current departmental Strategic Plan. Some examples of items being purchased for the department under the lens of safety, wellness, and resiliency could include, but not limited to: • Body armor for officers • Ballistic shields • Fitness Equipment • Mental Health services for officers Some examples of items being purchased for the community under the lens of safety, wellness, and resiliency could include, but not limited to: • Gun Buy Back program • Community engagement programs such as crime fairs or community meetings • Community assistance, such as air conditioners or other items for low income/elderly This change allows all stakeholders, internal and external, additional opportunities through our needs assessment process to leverage asset forfeiture funds so more programs, equipment, or training can be provided to the department and community. For more information, please contact Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge at Zobert.alld red gea-fortworthtexas.gov or 817-392-4131. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS