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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7673 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No.7673 ,..•�,, ',,p�iORT, �o To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 12, 1993 ti u � s X"y Subject: CODE:BLUE - COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM SUMMARY; GRANT AUDITS; PROPOSED USE OF FUND BALANCE In Fiscal Year 1991-92,the City Council approved a budget of$250,000 for Code:Blue Community Grants. These grants were awarded to community-based non-profit organizations and groups of citizens who had innovative crime prevention projects. Ninety-three applications were received and twenty-eight were awarded (one of which was turned back by the grantee). A total of$152,652 was spent. Attached for your review is a report which summarizes the activities of the twenty-seven projects as well as a memorandum from the Internal Auditor summarizing the audit findings. The success of the entire Code:Blue program is seen in the reduction of crime in Fort Worth. Staff believes that the two most successful components of Code:Blue were the additional police officers and the Citizens on Patrol (COP) program. In a cumulative comparison of 1992 to 1991, crime in Fort Worth reflects a 15% reduction. When comparing December 1992 to December 1991,however, there is a 26% reduction. The crimes showing the greatest decreases are the property crimes of Burglary,Theft and Auto Theft and these are the crimes for which the COP program can have the most impact. The growth of the COP program has been far more rapid than anticipated. The Council approved funding from seized assets to expand this program for Fiscal Year 1992-1993 in the amount of$204,828. The COP program had 27 groups and 475 participants in mid-1992;but, as of the beginning of 1993, we will have 41 groups with 793 trained participants. In order to strengthen the Citizens on Patrol program and encourage its growth, it is recommended that the$97,348 remaining in the Code:Blue Community Grants Program be expended for the COP program. The budget for these funds would be: • 30 radios including batteries $60,000 • New uniforms and uniform replacement 20,000 . Printing and binding 3,000 . Training materials for initial and retraining sessions 3,000 Gasoline for COP participants 11,348 $97,348 The addition of these funds will enable the Police Department to more realistically meet the expectations created within our communities and neighborhoods among COP participants. It will also enable us to more rapidly expand the program beyond its current scope. OMCK RECORD City Manag CITY SECRETARY Attachments F 1. WORTH, TEX. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS ► CODZ:BLUE COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM SUMMARY Please find contained in the following narrative description a brief summary of the accomplishments and funding levels of the twenty-seven community grants approved by the City Council on January 28, 1992 and February 25, 1992. It should be noted that twenty-eight grants were originally approved but one grant, Rivertrails Crime Watch, was withdrawn at the request of the submitter after Council approval. 1. Mayor's Anti-Grafffiti Task Force - The task force was awarded $5,695 to clean up, reduce and eliminate graffiti on public and private properties. As of September 30, 1992, 25 projects were completed using Code:Blue funds. Seven of the twenty-five project were murals that required at least two weeks to complete. A majority of the work was accomplished using probationers, some of whom were gang members. This program has gained national attention with cities as far away as New Jersey contacting the Task Force requesting information. 2. Circle T Girl Scouts Council - The Circle T Girl Scouts were awarded $7,500 to fund a 11 Girl Scouts At School" program at Como Elementary. This program was requested by the principal at Como Elementary and targeted young girls, who were experiencing conditions that placed them at extreme risk of involvement with negative groups and situations. The program was able to reach 178 youth in Como with positive Girl Scout activities. This program was so successful that the girls approached the school counselor and requested that the program resume this school year. 3. Youth Sports Council of Fort Worth - Youth Sports Council was awarded $7,500 to fund a summer basketball program for approximately 1000 "at risk" inner city youths at the City's twelve recreational and multipurpose centers. This was the first year that a summer basketball program was offered to inner city youth. Over sixty-seven teams representing an average of 1005 players participated each week in this program. The grant also provided round trip transportation to the playing sites. In addition to the program, the grant assisted in providing two special events: a trip to a Texas Ranger game and attendance at four Brad Davis basketball clinics. The Code:Blue funds were matched with other funding for a total expenditure of $17,298.88 for this program. 4. Southeast Advisory Committee - The Committee was awarded $7,500 to conduct "Project Man to Man" for approximately 100 middle school students in southeast Fort Worth. The project's primary function was to provide group and individual counseling on a regular and systematic basis that was led by adult males and other models and mentors from the community. Nine different programs were coordinated and presented to "at risk youth". These programs included: counseling with students, attendance at Jubilee Theater productions, guided tours of black owned businesses, and a trip to the Johnson Space Center. 1 MCIR RECg,10 "'c ""o C CO SECR]ffV.TT11A"ARY ny SECR T. I EFURTH 5. African-American Men Against Narcotics (AAMAN) - AAMAN was awarded $7,500 to implement an anti-crime program in the Caville Place Apartments and surrounding neighborhoods. Various anti-crime programs were presented over a 4 month period. Programs included: trips for neighborhood youth and seminars for residents. Several programs were presented and related expenses were paid for by Code:Blue funding. 6. YMCA - Camp Carter - The YMCA was awarded $7,500 to provide an At Risk Camping Program for So youth from the following middle schools: Daggett, Dunbar, Elder, Forest Oak, Kirkpatrick, Meacham, Morningside,Riverside, Rosemont and Strippling. Five students from each school were expected to attend 5-day camping sessions during the summer. Approximately 52 students from nine schools attended the camps. The program was an overall success according to the YMCA. 7. McDonald Branch YMCA - Police Athletic League 8. Southwest Branch YMCA - Police Athletic League 9. Eastside Branch YMCA - Police Athletic League All three of these programs were awarded $5, 900 each to provide sports programs for 250 "at risk" youth each during the summer. Off-duty volunteer police officers were to be used to coach each team. The sports programs included: soccer, softball,and basketball were presented for the "at risk" youth. The programs were considered by the YMCA to be successful in improving relations between the Police Department and the Community. 10. The First Texas Council of Camp Fire - The Council was awarded $8,255 to have 160 youths and 10 adults from four recreational sites to attend a Crimebuster program at a Camp Fire 'campsite. The funds were used to pay for all expenses related to the program. Approximately 132 youth and 9 adults participated in the Crimebuster program from the following recreational centers: Diamond Hill, Hillside,Fire Station and Sycamore. 11. Because We Care - Because We Care was awarded $3,000 to conduct comprehensive training for multi-purpose and recreation center personnel to assist them with understanding and assisting the cliental they serve on a daily basis. Approximately 50 participants attended a three day training course with a one-half day follow up session held two weeks after the initial training. City staff knowledge and understanding was increased in the following areas: adolescent drug and alcohol use, suicide, eating disorders and many other topics. OFFICIAL RECORD 2 CITY CIIN SECRUARY T. W LFT. WORTH, TEX. #V"' 12. Longhorn Council of Boy Scouts of America - The Longhorn Council was awarded $7, 500 to conduct a "Dunbar Pyramid Outreach" program for students, who attend one of the seven schools in the stop Six area of Fort Worth. The program would provide Cub scout, Boy Scout, Career Awareness, and Explorer programs in each school for interested at risk youth. The program target was the addition of 110 young people to existing membership. The program was considered a success as measured by an increase of 110 students in membership and by increasing the self-esteem of "at risk" youth. * 13. Women's Haven of Tarrant County - Women's Haven was awarded $7, 142 for a "Batterer Intervention Project" for men identified as batterers or spouse abusers. The project lasted 20 weeks and included: intensive training and counseling sessions. Approximately 463 men participated in the project from January 1992 to November 1992 . 14. Southside Area Ministries (SAM) - SAM was awarded $2,591 to present their "Community Youth Program" at the Fire Station Recreation Center, Daggett Middle School and the Rosemont Middle School. The program included: curriculum modules on self esteem and drug education, a board game of drug-related issues, and expenses for field trips. Two teaching modules were purchased with the funds for use with approximately 58 students. Additionally, the students were taken on an overnight camp out last May. r. * 15. Volunteers of America (VOA) - VOA was awarded $6,616 to fund the Community and Neighborhood Drug Offensive (CAN-DO) program in the Polytechnic Heights neighborhood. Twenty-four CAN-DO drug awareness sessions were presented to 37 youths enrolled in the program. sixteen volunteers provided in excess of 600 hours of service to this program. * 16. Highland Hills Neighborhood Association - The Association was awarded $6,434 to purchase weight training equipment to be placed in the Highland Hills Recreation Center. A weight fitness program was developed and presented for all age groups. Ninety three males and females participated in the fitness program. At the end of the grant period all of the equipment remained in the recreation center and ownership reverted to the City of Fort Worth. 17. Westpoint Neighborhood Association - The Westpoint Neighborhood Association was awarded $1, 073 to conduct crime prevention programs, neighborhood workshops and educational programs aimed at reducing crime in the area. The Association established a Citizen on Patrol program, held a security fair attended by law enforcement personnel and concerned citizens, and published a monthly news letter for approximately 2500 homes in the area on crime awareness and prevention. 3 OFFICIAL RLCC"D CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTO, TEX. 18. W.A. Meacham Middle School - The school was awarded $6,480 to conduct "Project Teen Watch" for approximately 670 students at the school. The project : goals included: developing self-esteem for the students, raising crime awareness, a tee shirt program to advertise Teen Watch and to present a positive model for younger elementary students. The program objectives and goals were met according the school principal. Approximately 60 tee shirt designs were submitted for judging. A Career Day was also held for the student body. * 19. Youth Enrichment Skills (YES) - YES was awarded $7,500 to conduct a martial arts training program at the Como Multi-Purpose Center to assist 50 participants in building self esteem using off -duty police officers. The program is considered to be a success and the staff of YES is continuing the program today in order to keep from losing the interest of the children that participated. * 20. Ryan Place Improvement Assoc. - The Association was awarded $7,500 to assist in the purchase of gates to close off alley ways in order to reduce crime. As a result of the grants funds and matching funds, 38 gates were purchased and installed. The Association was not able to obtain all of the necessary signatures to close all of the program alleys therefore, only 24 alleys were closed. * 21. Boys and Girls Clubs - Eastside Branch * 22. Boys and Girls Clubs - J.A. Caville Branch These two clubs were awarded $6, 079 and $5,086 respectively, to conduct Push For Graduation. This program was to expand the educational and cultural activity base utilizing community volunteers to present educational enhancements and offering alternatives to criminal activity. This was accomplished by providing individual tutorials to 24 students, taking 15 youth on monthly field trips in the city and 30-60 youths to farther destinations. Funds were also expended to purchase library books to assist in improving reading and retention skills. Both programs were deemed to be successful. 23. Arlington Heights East Neighborhood Assoc. - The Association was awarded $588 to purchase "Watch Dog" signs for installation in the yards of each of 30 block captains in the Arlington Heights area. All the signs have been purchased and installed. * 24. Friends of Old Fire Station 10 - The Friends were awarded $9,265 to rehabilitate the station and use it as a base station for Citizen On Patrol for 4 neighborhood associations. Approximately 3000 citizens reside in the area represented by the associations. The renovation has been completed and the results are phenomenal. The Station is not only being used as a base station, but as a meeting place for the associations and by the Fort Worth Police Department to phone in reports. Councilmembers are invited to view the facility at their convenience. It should also be noted that 5000 hours of volunteer help were expended to assist in remodeling the station. EOFFRIN 4 C" MDRETTW 25. East Fort Worth Crime Watch Assoc. - The Association was awarded $4,500 for a program to promote the use and awareness of the East Fort Worth Crime Net. The net is a telephone based Bulletin Board. The funds were budgeted for costs associated with printing materials and mailing out information to the entire city. The program was so successful in that before the mailout, the Board was used approximately 21 minutes a week, after the mailout it increased to 215 minutes a week. 26. Fort Worth Theater - The Theater was awarded $2,900 to produce a play for all middle school students at the Scott Theater . The play was designed to educate middle school students to the dangers of gang activity and alcohol and drug abuse. Additionally, the play was designed to increase the self esteem of the performers from the Metro school. The FWISD considers this program a success. The script was developed by the students and the play was presented at 12 performances to over 3000 students. * 27. Paschal High School PTA - The PTA was awarded $3,850 to reduce crime and dropouts in and around Paschal High School. The program the PTA sponsored had three goals: to increase attendance at the school, to reduce juvenile criminal activity committed by students, and to reduce the rate of drop outs at Paschal. In addition, a Crimestopper TIPS program was established, whereby students could phone in crime tips anonymously. The PTA established a TIPS program, a Neighborhood Support Network, and an education and prevention program aimed at accomplishing the program goals. overall it appears that the community based Code:Blue grant program has met with varying amounts of success. There is $97, 348 in grant funds remaining to be allocated based on City Council direction. * Indicates that these grants have been audited. A report will be furnished to City Council in the near future. OFFICIAL RECORD 5 CITY SECRETARY �' RY FT. WORTH, TEL INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE OW TO Paul Sweitzer DATE January 6, 1993 Code Blue Coordinator DATE FROM Steve Price Assistant City Internal Auditor SUBJECT CODE BLUE AUDITS The Internal Audit Department has reviewed the expenditures and supporting documentation for 17 of the 28 Code Blue programs (which accounted for total expenditures of$101,239.42) and will issue a detailed report in the near future. The Internal Audit Department has concluded that supporting documentation in some programs was less than desirable (i.e. not what would have been expected for a federal or state grant). However, the Internal Audit Department believes there was sufficient evidence for all programs reviewed that Code Blue expenditures were made in amounts equal to or greater than the amounts reported to the City, and that the expenditures made were consistent with the stated goals and objectives of the individual programs. SP:bmf OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY L ff- WORTH, TM