RESOLUTION NO. 040376
Authorizing and requesting
the Mayor to submit a grant application under the State Services to Victims
Fund to the State of Missouri in the amount of $66,697.60 for a
Victim-Assistance Program.
WHEREAS, the
State's initial Victim Assistance Program was established by the Missouri's
General Assembly under the auspices of the Department of Public Safety in
1981. The Services to Victims Fund was established under Section 595.100,
RSMo, in 1988 and consists of money collected pursuant to Section 595.045,
RSMo; and
WHEREAS, the
Missouri Department of Public Safety administers the funds at the State level
solely for the administration of contracts for services to victims of crime
pursuant to Sections 595.050, 595.055 and 595. 105, RSMo; and
WHEREAS, a fee of
five dollars ($5.00) is assessed as costs in each court proceeding filed in any
court in the state for violation of a criminal law of the state, including an
infraction and violation of a municipal or county ordinance; and
WHEREAS, each
year the sum of $250,000.00 is allocated to the Crime Laboratories Funds.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the balance goes into the Crime Victims'
Compensation Fund. The remaining twenty-five percent ( 25%) goes to the State
Services to Victims Fund; and
WHEREAS, the
Department of Public Safety will have funds available in the State Services for
Victims Fund for fiscal year available for award on July 1, 2004, and Kansas
City, Missouri, is an "eligible applicant" under the rules and
regulations of the Program; and
WHEREAS, in 2003,
there were nearly 4,000 arrests and victims in Kansas City for domestic
violence assault; it is in the best interests of Kansas City, Missouri, and its
citizens to apply for a grant from the State of Missouri, Department of Public
Safety, to secure assistance for citizens who have suffered physical or mental
injury and abuse through these criminal acts; and
WHEREAS, the
Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Program provides to victims of domestic
violence much needed support, encouragement and explanation of court
proceedings, it assists prosecutors in case preparation at the Municipal Court
level and trial de novo level, as well as notify victims and witnesses of
continued court dates, encourage participation in prosecution and make
appropriate court and social service referrals; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor is
authorized and requested to submit a grant application in the amount of
$66,697.60 to the State of Missouri, Department of Public Safety, under the
State Services to Victims Fund, to provide funds for a Victim-Assistance
Program.
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