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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.4, FeasibilityOfEstablishing PAL C X DpB`fy ~ 19, ~ ,82 ~AGENDA STATEMENT `J PARKS ANll COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION IrMEETING DATP:: January 22, 2008 SUBJECI': Feasibility of Establishing a Police Activities League (YAL) Repor[ by Paul McCreai y, Parks ancl Conznaunity Services Manager A'I'"TACIIMENTS: None RECOMMENDATION: Receive report and provide input FINANCIAL S'I'A'I'GM1;N'1': None llI;SCRIPI'ION: The City Council established a medium priority objcctive to cYplore the feasibility of establishing a Police Activities League (PAL) program in Dublin. Members of thc Parks and Community Scivices and Police Scrvices Departments have conducted an analysis and revicw of U1e California YAL organization and the requirements for establishing a chapter in Dublin. I3ased on the analysis it would be feasiblc to establish a 1'AL program, however additional staffing resolirccs would bc required in both departments. Additionally, the level of community support for a PAL program in Dublin is uncertain. Pollowing is an overview of the findings of Staff. YAL OVERVIF,W The Yolice Activitics League (PAL) is one of the oldest citizen-building youth programs in the nation. PAL began in 1914 with the vision of building a bond between cops and Icids by creating safe commuuities aizd em-iching young lives. California PAL is the statewide branch of the national PAL organiz.ation. Their mission is to unitc law enforcemcnt olficers and communities by providing youth prograins that devclop discipline, positive self-image, mutual trust and respect. Throughout thc ycar, California P!\L sponsors a wide rangc of atlile[ic, educational and youth Icadership evcnts for participation by the PAL chapters. I'hcse events include sporiing tournaments for soltball, basl<etball, soccer, martial arts and boxing to name a few. A variety of excursions arc also planned to places such as the snow and amusement parl<s. PAL youth are given the opportunity to experience new things and to travel to various locations throughout the state. Typically a majority oi'the costs such as transpartation and lodging are covered by California PAL, while the local chapter is responsible for covering the other costs tlirough fundraising and subsidi•r_ed user registration fecs. This provides the opportunity far youth at all economic levels to participate in PAL events. In addition to bcing able to participate in California PAL events, local chapters are also able to offer thcir own programs, events and tournaments. Many cominunitics use the YAL chaptcr as a vehicle ior sccuring COPIES 'FO: Youth Advisory Commitlee I"I'EM NO.: 8.4 G:APARI<S COMMISSION\AGNDS'I'M112008\I-22 PAL Program 1'casibility.duc donations to hclp subsidize the costs of after school programs, sporis leagues and teen special events. This is especially valuable to communities with limited financial resources, but a significant need to implement low-cost programs that help to keep youth occupied and reduce crime. RI;QUIRF.MP;NTS FOR FORMING LOCAL CIIAPTrR Based on the requirements of California PAL, the City would need to talce the lead in forming a non-profit organization with 50 1 c3 status with the State. The Dublin PAL chapter would also need a local I3oard of Directors, which would be responsible for conducting fundraising and providing input to the City on the types of programs and services to offer with the PAL funds. Typically the Board is comprised of community stakeholders such as business leaders, faith-based leaders, elected officials, retailers, coaches, school district personnel, and adult and youth members at large. In addition the Board would include representatives from the Police Services and Parks and Community Services Departments. Initially, Staff would need to establish articles of incorporation and bylaws, establish bank accounts and financial procedures, recruit interested board members, conduct a I3oard orientation and goal setting retreat, and conduct elections for officers. Once the organization is established, Staff from both Departments would need to continue to provide staff support to the organization and the monthly Board meetings. This would require the same amount of time that it tal<es to provide Staff support to an Advisory Committee ar Commission. PROGRAM NEI:D IN llUBLIN Three needs were identi6ed as part of the study that could possibly be met by forming a local PAL chapter. The tirst two needs were identilied as part of survey conducted by the Tri-Valley Adolesccnt I Iealth Initiative. The first is the need for more recreational programs to serve as preventative measures to support the physical and mental health of youth. The second was the need to provide low-cost and afiordable recreational programs. It should be noted that the City has been proactive in providing affordable inclusionary housing, which may increase the need for affordable recreation programs. 'The third program need is related to juvenile crime. With the increase oP population in Dublin and the 1'ri-Valley, there has been a surge in juvenile related crimes. Most oP the crimes committed by juveniles are relatively minor in nature and include ofPenses such as vandalism, trespassing, school disciplinary issues, curfew violations, and disorderly conduct. Other more serious offenses that are common relate to tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. With this increase there are more demands placed on police, school administration, juvenile probation and local social service agencies. Table 1 below is a summary of juvenilc crime data for Dublin. Table 1- Juvenile Crime Dafa for Dublin Year Student Population Juvenile Arrests: Felonv Misdemeanor 2003 4,327 28 43 2006 5,233 38 90 I)uring this time period the student population grew 21 while juvcnile Pelony arrests increased 27% and misdemeanor arrests by 53%. Studies have shown that recreation programs can have a positive impact on the community by reducing crime. Por example, Kansas City, Missouri, reported a 25% decrease in the rate of juvenilc apprehensions compared to the previous year in the arcas abutting recreation centers in which Midnight F3as1<etball programs were added. In Port Warth, "I'exas, crime statistics supplied by the Po(ice Department indicated in a one mile radius of the community centers where late night sports programs werc provided, crime dropped 28%. At fve other community centers where these programs did not exist, crime rose an averagc of 39%. 2of5 Providing recreation, education or other activities is traditionally not a function of the Police Services llepartment. However, the Department has already taken many steps to address this issue including partnering with the Dublin Unified School District to provide two school resource officers and conduct c(assroom saPety training lor teachers; adding a Youth Officer to assist with the increased number of juvenile cases, as well as gang prevention and intervention; conducting DiJI awareness and education prograins; and, providing a varicty of community special evcnts such as bike rodeos, excursions and the National Night Out. "l,he Parks and Community Services Depariment has also bcen addressing these needs and responding to the findings of the 'I'ri-Valley Adolescent IIealth Initiative. Currently thc Department conducts after school recreation and homeworl< assistance programs at both middle school campuscs. The Departmcnt conducts monthly tecn special events, and a variety of special interest classes that appeal to tecns. This year thc City has added several new low-cost teen sports events in flag football, kick ball, and dodge ball. ln addition there will be an inter-generational golf tournament that will serve as a Fuudraiser lor fLiture youth rccreation scholarship programs. P'or the mental health needs, the City has also created thc www.DubT'ownTecns.com wcbsite that provides local youth with resources and linl<s to these types of service providers. OP"I'ION 1- FORM A PAL CIIAPTER Although the City is already offering a variety of teen recreation programs, therc appears to be a need lo provide a means for further expanding the availability of low-cost teen activities as a way to support the health and wellness of Dublin tecns and dccrease juvenile crime. Porming a Dublin PAL chapter is one ol' the possible methods to meet this need. The goals lor the tirst ycar would primarily focus on cstablishing thc I3oard, organizational goals and objectivcs, and begin fundraising. StafF from both Departments would begin meeting with a varicty of commuiiity slal<eholders to garncr input on the organizational goals and objectives. Al-ter the Board begins fwnctioning, the Police Services Department would begin introducing intake programs for at-ris]< youth that would provide a preventative lin]< between the youth and availlble rccreation and diversion programs. In addition during the first two years, the organization would start to tal<c advantagc of thc existing PAL sports tow•naments and excursions, providing ncw and alfordable cxpericnces for Dublin youth. Additionally the program would tocus on establishing a scholarship program to subsidize registration fees ior recreation programs for youth who arc disadvantaged. In future years Staff envisions utilizing the PAL chapter to expand the number ol' City sponsored teen programs and cvents, as well as continuing to take advantage of the tournaments and exctirsions oflered by California PAL. Depending on the level of support and interest irom the I3oard and community, the PAL chapter could become integral to fundraising for long-term capital nceds such as mobile rccrcation programs, recreational Iacilities on school campuses and necds identiiied by thc "I'ri-Valley Adolescent Health lnitiative. In arder to establish a viable PAL chapter in Dublin, additional staffing would be needed foi' the Police P thc lead on program administration and matching at-risk youth with the program's resources. The I'arks and Commuility Services Departinent would take the lead in planniilg and conducting the various recreational programs, events and excursions offered by the PAL chapter. The Board would take the lcad in Fundraising. For the Poliec Services Department, this would require a full-tiine, sworn Youlh Services OCficer, who would have the following responsibilities: 3 of 5 ¦ F3e the primary City liaison to the PAL I3oard. ¦ Provide a preventative linl< between the youth and available services and programs. ¦ Work a 40 hour work week, with a flexible schedule to allow for attendance at school functions and recreation programs. ¦ Conduct intake assessment meetings with parents and juveniles. ¦ Attend youth support groups and generate discussion among youth. ¦ Attend parent education training programs. ¦ I3ecome aware of potential incidents at the schools before they escalate and intervene appropriately. ¦ Work with Parks and Community Services staff in implementation of all youth related programs. ¦ Recommend programs and services that would serve the needs of youth especially those designed to prevent delinquent or criminal behavior. ¦ Make contact and develop relationships with youth who meet the at-risk criteria. ¦ Become familiar with available resource agencies, both public and private, which serve the needs and interests of youth. ¦ Maintain contact with public and private youth service providers and facilitate collaboration. ¦ Assist in coordination oF joint training between Police staff and Parks and Community Services staff to better inform beat officers and site recreation staff on the preventativc nature of recreation programs and the intervention aspect of police work. ¦ I'erform as thc liaison between Dublin Police Services and the Tri-Valley Youth Court. Por the Parl<s and Community Services Department, forming a PAL chapter would require increasing the Recreation Technician for teen probrams from '/4-time to full-time status, as well as increasing clerical support related to the I3oard. "fhis would provide the necessary time to: ¦ Coordinate participation in California PAL events and excursions. ¦Expand teen recreation programs and events sponsored by the Dublin PAL chapter. ¦ Assist the Board with fundraising events. ¦ I'repare for monthly Board meetings and prepare minutes. Adding the necessary Staffing in both departments to support a full-fledged PAL chapter could potentially increase the City's annual staPfing costs by over $160,000 per year. Due to the uncertainty of the community's support for a local PAL chapter, it is lilcely the City may not recoup much of the stafFing costs from the PAL chapter. OP1'ION 2- I31;CIN FUNDRAISING FOR CITY FEI: ASSISTANCE PROGI2AM FOR YOUTII A second option would be to start smaller by focusing on fundraising for a City operated youth fee assistance program, and improving collaboration between Police and Parl<s and Community Services. Por this option the City would not form a PAL chapter. The Administrative Services Department has indicated that the IRS considers charitable donations to a municipality as tax deductible (as long as no service or product is received in exchange). Therefore the City could accomplish many of the objectives of a PAL program without having to form a chapter and non-profit board. IIowever the City could not participate in tournaments and excursions sponsored by California PAL. Imnlementing an annnal Piindraising campaign and imnlementing ayouth _fee assistance plogram would require increasing the Recreation Technician for teen programs from '/4-time to full-time status. This would provide the necessary time to: ¦ Partner with the Police Services Department and coordinate an annual Ruidraising campaign for donations from local individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. ¦ Coordinate an annual fundraising event and apply for grants. ¦ Coordinate the youth fee assistance program. 4of5 This approach would better leverage existing City resources and the strengths of each Department, and would be less staff intensive. It would expand access lo existing youth services and provide a means for Police Services to refer at-ris(c youth of all economic abilities to existing Parks and Community Services programs as a crime prevention tool. It would also help determine the (evel of community interest and support for youth crime prevention programs. Il'there was considerable support and thc annual amount of funding exceeded the demands of the fee assistance program, then the City could utilize the exccss donations to hirc more part-tiine staff and independent contractors to cxpand youth and teen programs. Adding the necessary StalTing to support this option could potentially increase the City's annual staffing costs by approximately $20,000 pcr year. SUMMARY "I'his analysis has demonstrated the need to inercase the collaboration between the Police Scrvices and Narks and Community Services Departmcnts to address the wcllness of Dublin youth and prcvent juvenile crime. It shows that a PAL program could be feasible, however the creation of a non-prolit organization and the amount of time necessary to support the Board would be significant, and beyond the current staffing resources of both Departments. 13ascd on the cuirent economic conditions in the State and the potential for a rcduced amount of gcneral i'unds availablc to thc City in the next few years, Staff does not recommend moving forward with a PAL chaptcr at this time. Additionally since there is not documented support foc such a program, StaPf docs ilot rcconvnend that level of 1-unding at this time. However, if the Commission and CoLmcil support Option 2, tlien StaPP would determine if funding wouid be available when preparing the Piscal Year 2008- 2009 Yarlcs and Community Services Departmenl budget. IZegardless if funding is available, it is recommended that the I'olice and Parlcs and Community Scrvices Departmcnts continue to increase collaboration on the planning, promotion and implementation of existing programs and services, as well as conduct quarterly meetings to faci(itate better communication bctwecn ofllcers in the field and recreation program staff. RECOMMLNllA'I'ION: Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Seivices Commission reccive the report and providc input. 5 of 5