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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date:March 22, 2021 Item No.: 7.d Department Approval City Manager Approval Item Description: Approve 2021 Auto Theft Prevention Grant Applications 1 B ACKGROUND 2 Law enforcement agencies across the Twin Cities Metrohave reported dramatic increases in the number of 3 motor vehicle thefts; the City of Roseville experienced a 43% increase from 2019 to 2020. However, most 4 law enforcement agencies, including the Roseville Police Department, are not prepared or staffed to follow 5 up on auto theft related crime as the numbers are overwhelming and investigators prioritize crimes against 6 persons. 7 8 According to statistics compiled by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Roseville 9 reported 170 motor vehicle thefts in 2020. Referring to the FBI’s average valuation of $8,886 per stolen 10 vehicle in 2019, Roseville residents and visitors incurred an estimated $1,510,620 in losses associated with 11 auto theft. In addition, the perception of safety decreases in the community and can discourage residents 12 and visitors from patronizing the commercial district generating further economic damage. While the 13 negative economic impact of auto theft is significant, of even more importance is the perceived risk and 14 associated trauma of victimization in the Roseville community. 15 16 Over the years, the Department has applied a multi-prong approach to addressing automobile theft, 17 obtaining funding through numerous Minnesota Department of Commerce auto theft prevention grants. 18 Past funding successes have included implementing an Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) 19 system; fully outfitting a Bait Car currently in use, officer-lead auto theft IMPACT details, purchasing 20 evidenceequipment to process fingerprints and expanding the job duties and associated salary of RPD’s 21 Investigative Aide to enhance auto theft crime analysis. 22 23 The Department plans to build upon past auto theft prevention grant successes while focusing on new 24 prevention initiatives, seeking funding through two Minnesota Department of Commerce auto theft 25 prevention grants. The Auto Theft Prevention Grant- Dedicated Auto Theft Investigator grant (Attachment 26 A) will allow RPD to assign a full-time detective to the Community Action Team (CAT) to investigate 27 motor vehicle theft crimes. The Auto Theft Prevention Grant- General (Attachment B) will provide 28 specialized equipment to aid in the investigation of auto theft and auto related crimes. 29 30 Grant funding is for a period of one year (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022). There is an opportunity to 31 extend the dedicated detective grant an additional year should the agency see positive results. In order to 32 qualify for funding the agency must have at least 250 combined motor vehicle theft or recoveries of stolen 33 vehicles in the service areas in 2019 or 2020. Roseville meets all grant eligibility requirements with over 34 280 combined auto thefts and recoveries in 2020. 35 36 The grant application deadline is April 8, 2021. Page 1 of 2