RESOLUTION NO. 050341

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 $60,448.32 for a Victim Assistance Program.

WHEREAS, the State's initial Victim Assistance Program was established by the Missouri General Assembly under the auspices of the Department of Public Safety with the adoption of Section 595.050, RSMo, in 1981. The Services to Victims Fund was established under Section 591.100, RSMo, in 1988 and consists of money collected pursuant to Section 595.045, RSMo; and

WHEREAS, the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund has been established in the Missouri State Treasury and 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 $250,000.00 is allocated to the Crime Laboratories Funds. Fifty percent (50%) of the balance goes into the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, and the other fifty percent (50%) goes to the State Services to Victims Fund; and

WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri, is an "eligible applicant" under the rules and regulations; and

WHEREAS, there is a sufficient number of citizens of Kansas City, Missouri, who are victims of violent crime who could benefit under the provisions of the State Services to Victims Fund; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, there were 3,645 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 its less fortunate citizens who have suffered physical or mental injury through acts which are in violation of criminal law; and

WHEREAS, the Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Program would provide to victims of domestic violence assaults support, encouragement, explanation of court proceedings, and referrals for counseling, shelter, and community resources when their cases appear in Kansas City Municipal Court, and to provide these services to victims at trials de novo, notify victims of court dates, and encourage them to participate in the prosecution process; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor is authorized and requested to submit a grant application with the State of Missouri, Department of Public Safety, under the State Services to Victims Fund, in the amount of $60,448.32, to provide monies for a Victim Assistance Program.

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