Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with the City of San Mateo for firearm relinquishment and enforcement services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with the City of San Mateo to continue providing firearm relinquishment and enforcement services, increasing the amount of the agreement by $600,000 for a new total obligation amount not to exceed $1,300,000 and extending the term by two years for a revised term of November 21, 2022, through November 20, 2026.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 11, 2022, San Mateo County hosted the “Getting Prohibited Guns off the Street: Firearm Relinquishment in San Mateo County” forum, where Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke about the importance of getting prohibited guns off the streets, legislation in place and/or being developed to assist in this effort, efforts already in practice in San Mateo County, and opportunities to further success in these efforts.
Following the forum, the County launched its Gun Violence Prevention Program, which included the creation of the Gun Relinquishment Task Force (GRTF), which prevents violence and improves public safety by removing guns from people who are prohibited from having them, either because of a restraining order or a felony charge.
The District Attorney’s Office partnered with the City of San Mateo and the City of South San Francisco to provide peace officers to staff the GRTF. The initial contract was for two years and was scheduled to expire on November 20, 2024.
Through a partnership with the Superior Court, between October 1, 2022, and October 31, 2024, the program facilitated the relinquishment or seizure of 461 firearms in civil restraining order cases, including 260 pistols, 139 rifles, and 62 shotguns. During the first 13 months of the program, 93 firearms were relinquished by 32 individuals. Most program-funded cases were civil domestic violence restraining orders (68%). Of those that voluntarily relinquished their firearm, 49% relinquished to a licensed gun dealer and 51% relinquished to law enforcement. These numbers are not representative of all the cases reviewed, as they were taken from a Judicial Council Report <https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/lr-2024-allocation-of-funding-FY-2023-24-court-based-firearm-relinquishment-program.pdf> that excluded data based on legislative funding requirements.
DISCUSSION:
The District Attorney’s Office is requesting to amend the agreement with the City of San Mateo to increase funding for the agreement by $600,000 for new total obligation amounts not to exceed $1,300,000 and to extend the term of the contract to November 20, 2026. This amendment will cover the cost to continue providing firearm relinquishment and enforcement services for an additional 24-month term.
The purpose of the Gun Violence Prevention Program (GVPP) and the Gun Relinquishment Task Force (GRTF) is to enhance voluntary compliance of all qualifying restraining orders with firearm prohibitions, and those who are prohibited from possessing firearms in San Mateo County.
Responsibilities of the GRTF will continue to include the intake and review of qualifying orders from Court and triage level of qualifying order and prohibited person(s). When appropriate, the lowest level of voluntary compliance inquiries should be made. When initial attempts at voluntary compliance are not successful, additional research will need to be conducted. The GVPP Detectives will be responsible for coordinating with the venue agency (agency with jurisdiction where the prohibited person resides) and the GVPP Detectives will be responsible for seeking additional court orders as needed (search warrants, anticipatory search warrants, probation, or parole authorization, etc.).
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and the amendment as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Target |
|
Review qualifying orders from the court. |
100% |
EQUITY IMPACT:
By focusing on enforcing firearm relinquishment laws, especially for individuals who pose a threat due to domestic violence or other prohibitions, the program helps safeguard vulnerable populations, such as survivors of domestic violence and individuals at heightened risk of gun violence. The GRTF works to ensure that all communities within San Mateo County-regardless of their location, socioeconomic status, or demographic makeup-benefit from the program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Program will cost $300,000 a year for a total of an additional cost of $600,000 over two years. Adequate funding will be included in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Measure K Budgets.