Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance provides funds to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization working to fight crime in Columbus neighborhoods. The organization was formed locally in 1977 and provides citizens a means to give information to law enforcement agencies while remaining anonymous. It operates 24-hours a day. This funding is needed to support the administrative duties performed by the assistant coordinator and to accommodate the number of tips being received on an annual basis, going from 1,737 in 2008 to 2,214 in 2010 and leading to over 107 arrests.
Emergency Designation - An emergency designation will ensure timely payments and avoid disruption of Crime Stoppers activities.
FISCAL IMPACT This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $25,500.00 from Public Safety's 2012 operating budget to fund the activities of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers. Central Ohio Crime Stoppers received $20,000 in 2008 from the Safety Initiative Fund, $25,397.00 from the General Fund in 2010 and $25,500.00 in 2011. No operating funds from Public Safety were allocated in 2009.
Title
To authorize and direct the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, to support its operations to provide citizens a means to give information to law enforcement agencies to help fight crime; to authorize the expenditure of $25,500.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization working to help law enforcement agencies in Central Ohio fight crime; and
WHEREAS, the organization operates 24-hours a day and requires funding to accommodate the increasing number of tips being received on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers currently operates with the oversight of a volunteer Executive Director and a volunteer General Board. The office is staffed and directed by a Columbus Division of Police detective functioning as a Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, Council deems it an appropriate use of the Public Safety funds to support the organization's efforts; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to continue funding Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Inc. and encumber funds to ensure timely payments in order not to disrupt the organization's activities, and for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, a non-profit group working to provide citizens a means to give information to law enforcement agencies while remaining anonymous.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $25,500.00, or so much thereof as necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Public Safety General Fund, Department/Division No 30-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 300111.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.