title
Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $45,847 in unanticipated grant revenue and $30,922 from the Solano County Narcotic Enforcement Team, Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds for the period of February 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013 (4/5 vote required); and Approve fixed asset purchase of a Firearms Comparison Microscope for the District Attorney's County Forensics Laboratory totaling $76,769
body
Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $45,847 in unanticipated grant revenue from the Solano County Sheriff's Department, Justice Assistance Grant for the period of February 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013 (4/5 vote required); and,
2. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $30,922 in unanticipated revenue from the Solano County Narcotic Enforcement Team, Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds for the period of March 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013 (4/5 vote required); and,
3. Approve fixed asset purchase of a Firearms Comparison Microscope for the District Attorney's Forensics Laboratory totaling $76,769.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Currently the law enforcement agencies in the County obtain ballistic and firearms analysis from the California Department of Justice. Unfortunately, the case load within the Department of Justice (D.O.J.) is large and therefore delays the results. The D.O.J. recently took nine months to complete an analysis for one of the county's local agencies.
The District Attorney's forensic laboratory is in the process of opening ballistic analysis and comparison services to law enforcement customers. Cases involving this type of analysis are generally violent in nature and the timeliness of results is critical to the investigation and prosecution of cases involving firearms. The firearms comparison microscope is an essential part of a ballistics analysis and comparison program in a forensic laboratory and is the primary piece of equipment utilized by examiners. Absent the comparison microscope, the additional analytical benefits of a firearms section will not be possible.
Currently one of the laboratory's Criminalists is attending the prestigious National Firearms Examiner's Academy.
The Sheriff's Office has a grant with the Federal Justice Assistance Grant program. They have received federal approval through a budget modification to redirect $45,847 from the grant to assist the District Attorney with purchasing a firearms comparison microscope.
The Board of the Solano County Narcotics Enforcement Team (Sol-NET), comprised of the Solano County Chiefs of Police, the Sheriff and the District Attorney have approved the transfer and use of Sol-NET Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds in the amount of $30,922 for the firearms comparison microscope. A permissible use approved by the United States Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section in Washington, D.C.
With the approval of the Board of Supervisors the Solano County District Attorney's Office will Purchase one Leeds' LCF3 Firearms Comparison Microscope (LCF3 Microscope) for $76,769.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The District Attorney will receive a total of $76,769, including $45,847 from the Solano County Sheriff and $30,922 the Solano County Narcotic Enforcement for the purchase of a Firearms Comparison Microscope to be used to support the law enforcement agencies of Solano County. These funds have been approved by Federal agencies for the sole purchase of this equipment. There will be no general fund impact.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to approve the purchase. This will prevent the Solano County District Attorney's Forensic Laboratory from offering ballistics analysis and comparison services to the law enforcement agencies in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Sheriff's Office through the Federal Justice Assistance Grant and the Solano County Narcotics Team through the Federal Asset Forfeiture Sharing Program are the source of these funds.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION