TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Chief Russ Mager, Police Department
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: June 17, 2025
Title
APPROVAL OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FY 24/25 ONLINE STING OPERATIONS GRANT AMENDMENT
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to approve the Florida Department of Law Enforcement FY 24/25 Online Sting Operations Grant amendment in the additional amount not to exceed $10,000.
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Background:
The city approved the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) FY 24/25 Online Sting Operations Grant program application and award during November 19, 2024, Regular City Commission meeting. The awarded grant amount was $61,525.11, for equipment and software costs. A grant amendment for additional funds, up to $30,000, that will be used to support the purchase and installation of an expandable data storage server, battery backup, memory drives, a secure housing cage for the server, and other supporting hardware was approved during May 20, 2025, Regular City Commission meeting. Since then, the FDLE has informed us that they also approved an additional $7,133.75 toward our computer workstation that the City was originally having to partially fund, therefore another Commission approval is required, for additional up to $8,000, for a total grant amount not to exceed $100,000.
The Online Sting Operations Grant program provides funding to local law enforcement agencies to support the creation of sting operations to target individuals who are soliciting children online. Applicants must be a signed affiliate with its regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Award funds must be used to support the creation or execution of online sting operations to target individuals soliciting children online and may be used to reimburse expenses related to computers, electronics, software, and other related necessary supplies.
The Delray Beach Police Department is actively engaged in investigating ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children), child sexual abuse, and related offenses. These cases are often complex and require the extraction of digital evidence from cellular devices, computers, cloud services, and other electronic storage platforms.
As technology advances, the storage capacity of these devices continues to grow, resulting in a greater volume of data that must be analyzed and securely retained. To effectively conduct online sting operations and other investigations involving crimes against children, it has become critical to expand our secured digital storage capabilities. There is no change in scope with this last amendment, the additional funding will be used to cover the cost of the computer workstation in full.
City Attorney Review:
City Attorney recommends approval.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
If awarded, costs would be budgeted via budget amendment in 001-21-150-521.34-90 (Operations-Other Contractual Services) and 001-21-150-521.51-20 (Office Equipment) accounts.
Timing of Request:
This grant amendment is time sensitive as it is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and the grant project period ends June 31, 2025. The FDLE requires signed documents by June 25, 2025.