Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: District Attorney
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): all
Acceptance of $373,847 for the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s 2023 Smart Prosecution-Innovative Prosecution Solutions Program Grant for the District Attorney’s Office to launch a Human Trafficking/Internet Crimes Against Children Investigations Project; no match required
Body
Information Contact: Sherry Boston or Roz Harris
Phone Number: 770-294-0369
PURPOSE:
To consider accepting $373,847 under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Program’s 2023 Smart Prosecution-Innovative Prosecution Solutions Program Grant o the District Attorney’s Office for the grant period of October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2025; and
To consider the creation of a Human Trafficking/Internet Crimes Against Children Investigator position in the District Attorney’s Office, fully funded by the grant for the duration of the grant period: and
To authorize the CEO to execute all necessary documents.
NEED/IMPACT:
The D.A.’s Office was awarded $373,847 over two years to create a Human Trafficking/Internet Crimes Against Children (HT/ICAC) Investigations Project. The Investigator will serve as a liaison, and a central clearinghouse, between the District Attorney, 25 local law enforcement agencies, and multi-disciplinary agencies and task forces, in an effort to identify cases, steer investigations, and remain current on the constantly changing and increasingly more predatory technological trends. This position will allow DeKalb to drill down to the root of its heavily increasing crime problem, specifically trafficking and ICAC, for this proposal, disrupting a complex cycle.
The goal of the project will be to implementing innovative prosecution strategies to ensure public safety, build public trust, and reduce crime. Objectives will be to: 1) expand and enhance the DCDA’s ability to effectively and sustainably prevent and respond to trafficking and internet crimes against children; 2) foster innovative, effective, formalized, and consistent collaborations with DeKalb’s law enforcement departments, other outside agencies, and related task forces; and 3) use technology, intelligence, and data in innovative ways that enables the DCDA to improve its operations and more efficiently and effectively serve victims and hold offenders accountable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No additional or matching funds are required, and no additional funds are needed to develop the initiative; no funds are being requested.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Accept $373,847 under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Program’s 2023 Smart Prosecution-Innovative Prosecution Solutions Program Grant o the District Attorney’s Office for the grant period of October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2025; and create a Human Trafficking/Internet Crimes Against Children Investigator position in the District Attorney’s Office, fully funded by the grant for the duration of the grant period: and authorize the CEO to execute all necessary documents...