ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Interim Police Chief with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2021 REVISED ANNUAL BUDGET Relating to the Purchase of a Seized 2017 Dodge RAM 1500 Limited for the Police Special Investigation Division Using the State Asset Forfeiture (STAFOR) Funds, in the Amount of $16,186.22.
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BACKGROUND: Personnel assigned to the Special Investigation Division (SID) typically operate unmarked vehicles designed to blend in with civilian vehicles. SID officers conduct operations including but not limited to undercover drug buys, surveillance of drug complaint houses, open market drug dealing, undercover gun purchases, high risk suspect apprehensions, burglary details, and prostitution details. SID officers are often requested to complete tasks for other units such as Neighborhood Services or for Detectives that cannot be completed utilizing traditional squad cars. SID officers are typically backed up by a marked or semi marked squad cars, but it is essential to use “plain” vehicles to conduct such operations.
The Special Investigations Division is in need of replacing a vehicle that was totaled in an accident last year. A 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 truck was totaled in an accident on 10-02-20 (20-19086). The 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Limited was seized as part of an ongoing drug operation and awarded to the Peoria Police Department. The 2017 Dodge Ram Limited is valued at approximately $33,000 and has 7,459 miles.
Currently, Investigators within SID are utilizing seven vehicles with mileage over 150,000 and vehicles ranging from 1996 to 2009. The vehicle exteriors are deteriorating with multiple cars showing clear coat/paint damage and several with rust issues. The maintenance on these vehicles continues to climb as would be expected given the year and mileage.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The purchase of this vehicle will not utilize any taxpayer dollars and will rely solely on seized funds.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The purchase of this vehicle will not utilize any taxpayer dollars and will rely solely on seized funds.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: This action, if approved, would update the fleet, lower maintenance costs, and allow more flexibility for covert operations.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City garage would continue to see rising maintenance costs, some of the vehicles are likely to be permanently dead lined if not replaced, and surveillance operations on citizen complaint houses are likely to continue to be compromised.
ALTERNATIVES: A cost analysis was done for maintaining a rental fleet. Although there are several benefits to a rental fleet the reoccurring annual costs would be a significant amount and would not likely be sustainable on an annual basis using forfeiture funds.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Safe Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Have an efficient government.
2. Reduce crime.
3. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
DEPARTMENT: Police