Discussion and possible action to authorize the acceptance of a Violent Crimes Against Women Criminal Justice and Training (VAWA) grant award as developed, written, presented, and submitted by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) Office of Governor (OOG) in the amount of $7,100 for training and supplies for investigators and patrol officers working at the Webb County Sheriff’s Office serving victims of violent crimes against women and authorizing the County Judge to execute all relevant documents; and any other matters incident thereto. This grant requires a Twenty-Nine (29%) percent cash match, or a $2,900 cash match, which will be met by the Webb County Sheriff's Office forfeiture funds. Thus, this grant will have no impact to the general fund. All required documents were sent to the Economic Development Department and were found in compliance with the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) policy. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff; Account #2151-980-001-485005 (Transfer out from Forfeiture Funds)]
Issue: Violence against women is among the most intractable and deadliest criminal justice problems in the United States, especially domestic violence and in the South Texas area. According to published statistics, the number of American women between 2001-2012 who were murdered by current or ex male partners in the United States was 11,766. That's almost double the amount of casualties lost during wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Women who will be victims of severe violence by an intimate partner in their lifetimes number 1 in 4. (“30 Shocking Domestic Violence Statistics That Remind Us It’s An Epidemic” Vagianos 10/23/2014).
Solution: Grant award to enhance the tools, techniques, and training to those investigators who follow-up to calls for assistance, conduct interviews with these victims, file incident reports, provide these victims information/referrals to service providers, initiate arrests of perpetrators, refer cases for prosecution, and prepare testimony/evidence for trial in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Result: Enhanced law enforcement services, including investigative techniques, to deal with emergent criminal trends, such as cyber stalking, and improved efficacy of the law enforcement response to the needs of victims of violent crime. |