Commissioners Court Meeting

Issue viewing agenda items? Click here to switch to the old format.

Return to the Search Page Return to the Agenda

Meeting Date:	11/14/2022
FY 2023 SAVNS Award Acceptance by Webb Co. Sheriff's Office
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to accept a grant award in the amount of $29.403.16 (OAG Contract No. C-00429) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAVNS) from the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG) for the automated notification of crime victims for a period of Twelve (12) months beginning on September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023, for a total amount of $29.403.16 and authorizing the Webb County Judge to execute all relevant documents; and any other matters incident thereto. There is no cash match; and, thus, there is no impact to the general fund. All required documents were sent for review through the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Sheriff; Fund #2712 (Texas SAVNS Contract)]

Issue: In the past decades, many crime victims, such as victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, were unaware if their respective crime perpetrators were able to post bail and released from the corrections system. In late 1993, one particular victim who had been raped, assaulted, and stalked in Jefferson County was unaware that her former boyfriend had been released and was subsequently ambushed by him after she left work. She was shot Seven (7) times at point blank range and killed on that day, her 21st birthday.

Solution: As a result of community outrage, an automated telephone notification system for crime victims and other concerned citizens was instituted: Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) Service. This nationwide system is funded for Texas counties through the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and is currently utilized by Webb County.

Result: The crime victims of Laredo/Webb County can enroll in this program and will be provided with automated notification upon an offender’s custody status change, such as release, transfer, and/or relevant district court dates.

Background:

This crime victim service program is provided in order to remain in compliance with the requirements set by the Texas Constitution Article I Bill of Rights (Section 30 Rights of Crime Victims) and as further outlined by Chapter 56 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Previous Court Action:

The acceptance of the agreement is approved on a yearly basis.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	2712
Funding Source:	Grant Revenue
Balance:	$29,403.16
Financial Impact:
$29.403.16 total grant funding Therefore, no impact to the general fund.