8g. Memo
Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force Participation Renewal
COMMISSION AGENDA MEMORANDUM Item No. 8g ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting May 24, 2022 DATE: April 8, 2022 TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director FROM: Mark Thomas, Deputy Chief SUBJECT: Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force Interlocal Agreement Amount of this request: $0 Total estimated project cost: $0 ACTION REQUESTED Request Commission authorization for the Port of Seattle Police Department (POSPD) to renew participation in the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATTF). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This request allows POSPD participation in the amended and restated interlocal cooperative agreement that establishes and maintains a multi-jurisdictional team to effectively investigate and enforce the laws relating to auto theft. The parties to this Agreement are the Washington State Patrol, Pierce County Sheriff's Office, and the Municipalities of Auburn, Bonney Lake, Buckley, Federal Way, Kent, Lakewood, Puyallup, Tacoma, Tukwila, and the Port of Seattle. The Task Force's objective is to provide enhanced and efficient use of personnel, equipment, budgeted funds, and training to investigate and aid in the prosecution of prolific or organized auto theft crimes. The WAPTA grant will fully fund the salary and benefits of the detective assigned to the task force. JUSTIFICATION According to a recent report from Washington Association of Sheriff's and Police Chiefs, autothefts have continued to rise in the State, with an increase of 50% since July of 2021. Washington State ranked #5 nationally in 2020 for auto thefts. Auto theft in the primary service area of the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATTF), King and Pierce County, totaled 12,620 in 2021, with 149 occurring within Port of Seattle jurisdiction. From 2020 to 2021 the Port experienced a 47% increase in auto thefts, mostly from the Rental Car Facility and the Parking Garage. We know that many of the thefts are committed by the same suspects and criminal Template revised January 10, 2019. COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 8g Page 2 of 3 Meeting Date: May 24, 2022 organizations. The PSATTF has the experience and resources to target these groups and has done so successfully in the past. DETAILS The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional team dedicated to investigating and enforcing laws related to auto theft. The task force is funded each year by a grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority which was signed into law by Governor Gregoire in 2007. The PSATTF objective is to provide enhanced and more efficient use of personnel, equipment, budgeted funds, and training to investigate and aid in the prosecution of prolific or organized auto theft crimes. Activities include conducting auto theft emphasis in targeted areas, coordinating statewide law enforcement training, investigating auto theft rings and ongoing crime prevention through public service awareness campaigns. ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED Alternative 1 Do not sign the interlocal agreement and do not participate on the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force. Cost Implications: A savings of $36,000 for 2019 and 2020. Pros: (1) Nothing gained other than a small cost savings. Cons: (1) Loss of the resource of the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force. (2) Increased demand on current POSPD resources. This is not the recommended alternative. Alternative 2 Sign the interlocal agreement and participate on the task force*. Cost Implications: $15,000 annually for non-reimbursed expenditures. No additional funds are being requested. Pros: (1) Leverage resources to reduce auto theft on Port properties. (2) WATPA grant reimburses benefits and salaries. (3) WATPA grant provides work station and overhead costs. Cons: (1) Small annual cost to keep a detective assigned to the task force. *The POSPD will not fill this position until patrol staffing has reached an acceptable level, as determined by the Chief of Police. This is the recommended alternative. Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 8g Page 3 of 3 Meeting Date: May 24, 2022 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The cost of the program to the Port of Seattle for 2022 will be $0. The 2022-2023 salary, overtime and benefits cost for one detective with a begin date of June 1, 2022 is approximately $298,550. Non-payroll expenses for both years are estimated at $36,000. Total cost is forecasted as $334,550. Payroll expenses will be reimbursed from the WATPA grant. Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary Capital Expense Total COST ESTIMATE Original estimate $0 $334,550 $334,550 AUTHORIZATION Previous authorizations 0 $334,550 $334,550 Current request for authorization 0 0 0 Total authorizations, including this request 0 $334,550 $334,550 Remaining amount to be authorized $0 $0 $0 Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds Source of funds is authorized from the general fund and WATPA grant with authorization of the interlocal agreement. Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership) Ongoing net annual cost of approximately $15,000 as long as a detective is assigned to the task force and salaries are reimbursed through the WATPA grant. ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST (1) Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force Interlocal Agreement PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS August 13, 2019 The Commission authorized Port of Seattle Police Department's participation in the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force Interlocal Agreement Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Limitations of Translatable Documents
PDF files are created with text and images are placed at an exact position on a page of a fixed size.
Web pages are fluid in nature, and the exact positioning of PDF text creates presentation problems.
PDFs that are full page graphics, or scanned pages are generally unable to be made accessible, In these cases, viewing whatever plain text could be extracted is the only alternative.