Explanation
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this ordinance is to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Public Safety Initiative subfund for the Columbus Division of Police to establish a victim/witness assistance program pilot.
The victim/witness assistance program pilot will empower constituents to come forward and report criminal acts they witness or are the victim of while reducing the barrier of retaliation fears. Detectives will be authorized to provide small amounts of immediate funding to victims and witnesses to ensure that they can safely report the crime to eliminate a gap in assistance that exists prior to indictment of the suspected offender. Monies will only be used in this pilot for victims/witnesses of shootings, homicides, felony domestic violence and felony stalking, and are to be used for temporary transportation, housing, or other needs. Often there is a delay between suspect identification and the filing of criminal charges as evidence is evaluated, and during this interim period many victims/witnesses face legitimate threats of retaliation. In addition, some suspects are released on bail/bond, but through discovery have full access to the residential information of witnesses against them. Domestic violence and stalking victims are often financially tied to the perpetrator and cannot afford to escape the offender who could threaten their life. This program is intended to prevent serious harm or death by enabling these victims, or potential victims, to escape to safety.
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $50,000.00 within the Public Safety Initiative subfund.
FISCAL IMPACT: Total appropriation is $50,000.00 and is available in the 2020 budget within the Public Safety Initiative subfund, Fund 1000-100016.
Title
To appropriate $50,000.00 within the Public Safety Initiative subfund to the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, to establish a victim/witness assistance program pilot. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the goal of the Columbus Division of Police is to prevent further violence against victims and witnesses of violent crime; and,
WHEREAS, the Division of Police intends to create a pilot program to address this goal; and,
WHEREAS, this pilot program will provide immediate assistance to those residents that witness a crime or are a victim of one, in order to solve violent crimes and prevent future crimes; and,
WHEREAS, $50,000.00 is available in the Public Safety Initiative Fund for appropriation to provide for this need; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council is supportive of this effort to assist these residents and to make our neighborhoods safer; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That $50,000.00 is hereby appropriated within Fund 1000-100016 Public Safety Initiative subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2: That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3: That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.