File #: ID-479-17    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 12/4/2017 In control: City Council
On agenda: 12/19/2017 Final action:
Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BRIGHTON AND THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY FOR A SHARED VICTIM SERVICES UNIT; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST THERETO; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS AND UNDERTAKE SUCH TASKS AS MAY BE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS OF SAID AGREEMENT
Attachments: 1. Reso Approving Victime Ser IGA mrb draft 12 5 17, 2. 2018 Victim Service IGA 120417

Police Department

Reference:                     City of Brighton and Commerce City Victim Services Unit

 

To:                                                               Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council

Through:                                          Philip Rodriguez, City Manager

Prepared By:                                          Frank Acosta, Police Commander

Date Prepared:                     November 7, 2017

PURPOSE

 

To inform City Council of the ongoing services provided by the Victim Services Unit for the City of Brighton and the City of Commerce City.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Brighton Police Department Victim Services Unit (VSU) has been in existence since the late 1980’s.  In August of 2014 through the current IGA the Brighton and Commerce City Victim Services Units merged with the Brighton Police Department becoming the administrating agency of the unit. Since the merger the unit has increased paid staff from 4 full time advocates (1 VALE granted funded) to 5 full time advocates with an addition of the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Specialist (VAWA funded), 7 volunteers, with the supervision of current Victim Services Manager, Kim Messina.  

Since the units merged in August of 2014 the unit has increased services to both communities by 72%.  In 2016 the unit served 4,149 victims/witness of crime and personal tragedy, opening 2,621 cases and responding on scene 1,021 times as compared to 2013 when each respective units combined served a total of 2,020 victim/witness of crime and personal tragedy, responding on scene 439 times.   Per each department policy police officers call out victim services on all Victim Rights Crimes, such as Domestic Violence, Sexual Assaults and Child Sexual Assault.  By merging the two units, the Brighton and Commerce City Police Departments have increased their ability to provide quality services in both cities. 

 

CONCLUSIONS

 

This increase does not interfere with the City of Brighton’s ability to remain a partner in this project.  The Victim Services IGA allows both cities the ability to provide crime victims with quality service in accordance with the Victim Rights Amendment.  

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT

 

There will be no financial impact on the current 2018 budget. 

OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION

 

1)                     Approve

2)                     Decline

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

 

Approve the IGA in order to provide continued assistance for victims.