Fiscal Note
The annual cost of the LEAP program is estimated at $57,000. This program will be implemented in June 2013 and continue through 2014 only if additional revenue (e.g., grants or donations) or savings of about $33,250 is identified; no additional appropriation is required. If the program begins in 2013, this resolution states that the 2014 Operating Budget should include funding to continue the program for 2014.
Title
SUBSTITUTE - Funding Law Enforcement Advocate Partnership (LEAP) for 2013.
Body
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence continues to be an issue that affects all residents of Madison and Dane County, including a recent homicide/suicide, and;
WHEREAS, the Madison Police Department (MPD) is often a first responder to domestic violence calls and is frequently engaged in resolving domestic violence situations, and;
WHEREAS, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Inc. (DAIS) is a critical community services agency that provides Madison and Dane County resident education and training, crisis information, emergency shelter, and support groups, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Police Department files over 1,300 criminal charges with the Dane County District Attorney’s Office related to the investigation of domestic violence, and;
WHEREAS, in 2011 through a Justice Accountability Grant (JAG) a pilot project called Law Enforcement Advocate Partnership (LEAP) was created with the Madison Police South District and DAIS designed to support victims of domestic violence by creating a mechanism that Police Officers make a referral to DAIS and a staff member follows-up directly with the victim, and;
WHEREAS, this partnership generated 126 referrals based upon a very specifically designed criteria, which 52 had successful follow-up contacts, and;
WHEREAS, 59% of victims contacted and surveyed reported they were not previously aware of DAIS and its services, and;
WHEREAS, the victims also received additional information about actions the police took, decre...
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