Item Description:
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Agmts A2311835 and A2311836 with the State of MN, acting through its Commissioner of Commerce accepting grant funding for dedicated auto theft investigators and auto theft prevention efforts, DOE-06/30/26 and DOE-06/30/25, combined recv of $1,052,000; supp app of $67,520 and 1.0 FTE to the 2023 Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office budget
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreements A2311835 and A2311836 with the State of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of Commerce accepting $1,052,000 in grant funding for dedicated auto theft investigators and auto theft prevention efforts in the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office during the period date of execution through June 30, 2026 and date of execution through June 30, 2025, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreements on behalf of the County; and the Controller be authorized to receive and disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office be authorized to increase staffing by 1.0 Full-Time Equivalent for a dedicated auto theft investigator funded by the grant award; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a supplemental appropriation of $67,520 be made to the 2023 Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office budget be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by the county for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
The number of automobile thefts has been increasing in the State of Minnesota. In the Twin Cities, automobile thefts have hit epidemic levels and are believed to be at record high levels since record keeping began to track this data. Criminals are becoming more violent and brazen, which has led to shootings and homicides. After taking vehicles by force, many suspects speed dangerously through neighborhoods at high rates of speed. The thefts are often committed by organized groups and repeat offenders who cross jurisdictional boundaries and frequently use stolen vehicles to facilitate other crimes.
The Criminal Intelligence Division and the Major Crimes Division within the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office are uniquely positioned to contribute significantly to auto theft prevention in Hennepin County. Staff analyze and share criminal information amongst all of the law enforcement agencies in Hennepin County, breaking through jurisdictional barriers and disparate records management systems to efficiently analyze these crimes to identify suspects, high crime areas, and work hand-in-hand with detectives to investigate the most prolific offenders.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce awarded the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office the following two grants to confront the increase in automobile thefts:
• Agreement A2311835 provides $618,000 of grant funding from the date of execution through June 30, 2026 for a dedicated auto theft investigator
• Agreement A2311836 provides $434,000 of grant funding from the date of execution through June 30, 2025 for general auto theft activities, which includes funding for two analysts
This request supports the county’s identified priorities and goals for the disparity reduction Justice domain by focused on providing equal access to justice, supporting community-led early intervention and prevention, and advancing reforms that support the whole person to successfully exit the justice system and move forward with their lives. Efforts must support those who are accused, those who have been harmed, and those who are convicted of an offense.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval