Explanation
This ordinance funds 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. Increased staff is needed to accommodate the increasing number of tips being received on an annual basis: going from 843 in 2003 to nearly 2,200 in 2005 which led to 176 felony arrests. Councilmember Andrew Ginther sponsored $34,000 in support to the organization as part of City Council's 2007 budget amendments.
FISCAL IMPACT City Council allocates $34,000 from the Public Safety Initiatives fund to support the organization.
Title
To authorize and direct the appropriation of $34,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund and 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 $34,000, and to declare an emergency ($34,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, City Council has amended the annual budget in each of the last three years to set aside funds in the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to address specific public safety challenges; and
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 additional staff to accommodate the increasing number of tips being received on an annual basis: going from 843 in 2003 to nearly 2,200 in 2005 which led to 176 felony arrests; and
WHEREAS, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers currently operates with the oversight of a volunteer Executive Board and a volunteer General Board. The office is staffed and directed by a Columbus Division of Police detective functioning as Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, Council deems it an appropriate use of the Public Safety Initiatives fund to support the organization's efforts; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City, in that it is immediately necessary to support Central Ohio Crime Stoppers in its efforts to provide a means for citizens to give information to law enforcement agencies while remaining anonymous, and for the immediate 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 City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $34,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, 016, to the Public Safety Director, Department No. 30-01, OL One 03, OL Three 3337, OCA Code 300116.
SECTION 2. 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 3. That for the purpose stated in section 2, the expenditure of $34,000 or so much thereof as necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Safety Initiative fund, 016, Department/Division No 30-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 300116.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
SECTION 5. That for 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves or vetoes the same.