Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance and Execution of a Grant Award Contract Administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) in Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
End
From: Darin Lenyi, Chief of Police
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Karla Santillan, Business Services Manager
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the acceptance and execution of a grant award agreement administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) under the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP); and
B. Approve the Agreement with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) under the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) in the amount of $256,185 and authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute the same; and
C. Amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted budget by designating grant funds in the amount of $256,185 in the Intergovernmental - State Other revenue account and increasing the budgeted expenditures in the amount of $256,185 in the BSCC SCIP designated fund account for overtime, supplies, and safety equipment.
end
BACKGROUND
The Westminster Police Department has been awarded a $256,185 grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) under the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP).
The Byrne SCIP grant is a federally funded initiative administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to support state and local efforts in reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety. The program focuses on evidence-based strategies that prevent individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms from accessing them, while also improving law enforcement response to high-risk situations.
The awarded funds will be used to support a multi-faceted, three-tiered approach to firearm-related risk mitigation and officer safety. These efforts will ensure the City’s compliance with Assembly Bill 732 (AB 732) and contribute to the reduction of illegal gun ownership throughout the City of Westminster. Without this funding, the City would face significant challenges in meeting statewide compliance standards, and officers would be left without the essential resources and training needed to serve the community effectively.
The grant will fund the following key components:
1. Robust, Secure Database System
Development and implementation of a secure, cross-referenced database designed to identify and track individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms. This system will enhance inter-agency coordination and improve the accuracy of firearm possession enforcement.
The Westminster Police Department’s Crime Analyst will play a key role in building and maintaining this firearm relinquishment database and conducting ongoing data analysis to assess program impact and guide enforcement priorities. Staff time associated with these efforts will be supported by the grant.
2. Safety Equipment
Acquisition of modern safety equipment to protect personnel during high-risk operations involving potentially armed individuals. This includes body armor, communication tools, and other tactical gear. Staff time related to equipment deployment, training, and operational planning will also be supported through the grant.
3. Specialized Training
Delivery of comprehensive training programs for law enforcement and relevant staff. The training includes:
a. Current state firearm laws and legal updates.
b. Safety protocols and situational awareness.
c. De-escalation techniques.
d. Best practices for handling high-risk encounters involving armed individuals.
Staff time for participation in training sessions and coordination of training logistics will be funded through the grant.
In addition, the Westminster Police Department will work in close coordination with key partners, including the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Justice, and neighboring local law enforcement agencies. These partnerships will be critical in supporting data-sharing, warrant execution, and cross-jurisdictional investigations involving individuals prohibited from possessing firearms.
Acceptance of the Byrne SCIP grant will significantly enhance the City’s ability to prevent firearm-related incidents, improve officer safety, and ensure compliance with state firearm laws, including AB 732. These three-tiered efforts are essential to reducing illegal gun ownership and maintaining public safety. Without this funding, the city would face substantial challenges in meeting compliance standards and equipping officers with the training and tools necessary to serve the community effectively.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the Grant Award for the 2025-2026 Byrne SCIP grant in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 will require an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget and reflected as follows:
|
Account No. |
Description |
Totals |
|
Fund 259 39254 |
Grant Revenue |
$256,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
34294 |
Intergovernmental - State Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
39254 |
Expenditures |
$256,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
40001 |
Overtime |
$166,000 |
|
44000 |
Supplies |
$ 2,185 |
|
44042 |
Safety Equipment |
$ 88,000 |
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
For staff to commence operations, the grant must be accepted by the City Council by adopting the resolution (Attachment 1), executing the agreement (Attachment 2), and amending the adopted budget as proposed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution
2. Resolution Exhibit A - Agreement with the Board of State and Community Corrections for the 2025-2026 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Grant.
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager