HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2228

Title:An act relating to community-oriented policing. 

Brief Description:Implementing local community-oriented policing. 

Sponsors:Representatives Gombosky, Doumit, Blalock, Butler, Cooper, Murray, Kessler, Conway, Constantine, Wood, Dunshee, and Lantz. 

House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:January 23, 1998. 

Prepared By:Mark G. Hamilton, Counsel (786-7310). 

Background:Currently, Washington does not provide funding or other support for local community-oriented policing programs. 

Summary:Section 1. Legislative Findings.  States legislative findings that crime is a very important concern in Washington, that community policing provides long term solutions to problems, that it rebuilds the bonds between citizens and government, and that the public=s interests are served by state support for organization and implementation of community-oriented policing by community groups. 

Section 2.  Adds a new section to chapter 43.63A RCW, with the following provisions. 

Distribution of Grants.  Provides that the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development will distribute grants to eligible community groups to organize and implement local community-oriented policing programs. 

Eligibility.  Community groups that work collaboratively with local law enforcement agencies to identify and address community problems are eligible for the grants. 

Acceptable Purposes.  Grants may be used for staffing site offices, taking resident reports about non-emergencies which require community or law enforcement response, administering crime prevention programs, operating alternative dispute resolution programs for non-emergencies, and other local law enforcement-approved purposes Adesigned to reduce crime through a problem-solving partnership.@

Proposal Evaluation.  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development will utilize a proposal request and evaluation process for the development, administration, and implementation of the programs. 

Definition of Community Group.  Includes private, nonprofit organizations registered with the Secretary of State, as well as city- or county-recognized Acommunity groups.@

Section 3. Acceptance of Private Funding Sources.  Permits the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to accept and use private sources of charitable funding, as long as such funding does not violate RCW 42.17.710. 

Section 4. Appropriation.  $125,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 1998, and $125,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, appropriated from general fund to Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to carry out purposes of the act. 

Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:Requested January 14, 1998. 

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.