Discussion and possible action to accept a grant award in the amount of $6,984 for a Violent Crimes Against Women Criminal Justice and Training (VAWA) grant as developed, written, and submitted by the Webb County Sheriff's Office to the Office of Governor (OOG) Criminal Justice Division (CJD) for training, equipment, and supplies for investigators 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 Thirty-Five (35%) percent cash match or $3,177, which will be met through the utilization of the Webb County Sheriff's Office forfeiture funds. Thus, this grant will have no impact to the general fund. [Account #2151-9080-001-485005 (Transfer out from State Forfeiture Funds)]
Problem: 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 is 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: Grant application to enhance the tools, techniques, and training to those investigators and patrol officers who initiate contact with these victims, respond to calls for assistance, file incident reports, provide these victims information/ referrals to service providers, investigate cases/incidents, initiate arrests of perpetrators, refer cases for prosecution/follow up cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Result: Enhanced law enforcement services, including patrol response and 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. |