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Meeting Date:	01/13/2020
MOU-Improving Criminal Justice Responses to DV, SA, and Stalking
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Webb County and Casa Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter that documents and memorializes the coordination, collaboration, and partnership critical to the implementation to the Improving Criminal Justice Response Grant Program. This MOU is a mandatory component required as part of the grant application that was approved on December 9, 2019 (Item No. 9b under Consent Agenda). The aforementioned grant has no cash match and will have no impact on the general fund. The grant is anticipated to start on October 1, 2020 and continue until September 30, 2023. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff]

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 are 1 in 4. ("30 Shocking Domestic Violence Statistics That Remind Us It's An Epidemic" Vagianos 10/23/2014)

Solution: Casa Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter and the Webb County Sheriff's Office seek to continue their coordinated, collaborative efforts to assist victims of domestic violence in the local Laredo/Webb County Community.

Result: Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in the Laredo/Webb County area will continue to receive improved, enhanced services from the Casa Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter and the Webb County Sheriff's Office to assist them with needed recovery, restitution, privacy, justice, and dignity.

Background:

This MOU is a mandatory part of the grant application that was approved on December 9, 2019 (Item No.9b under Consent Agenda).

Previous Court Action:

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is crucial component of the grant application that was approved on December 9, 2019 (Item No. 9b under Consent Agenda).

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	To Be Determined
Funding Source:	Grant Revenue
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
This MOU is required as part of a $500,000.00 estimated grant. Thus, there will be no impact to the general fund