TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Chief Darrell Hunter, Police Department
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: September 15, 2025
Title
APPROVAL OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FY 24/25 ONLINE STING OPERATIONS GRANT EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to approve the Florida Department of Law Enforcement FY 24/25 Online Sting Operations Grant extension and amendment in the additional amount not to exceed $100,000.
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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 was 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 the May 20, 2025, Regular City Commission meeting. A second grant amendment, for an additional not-to-exceed $10,000, for an additional cost of the computer workstation that the City was originally having to partially fund, was approved during the June 17, 2025 Regular City Commission meeting.
The FDLE has informed us that a grant extension is necessary to complete reimbursement and also, that additional funding, on first-come, first-serve basis, is still available. The Police Department is planning to again request funding for GreyKey and Cellebrite software licenses. The associated cost for Greykey is $62,215.00 and Cellebrite cost is $21,656.71, making the total request $83,871.71, however up to $100,000 is being requested just in case. The amendment document would be prepared by the FDLE after extension is fully executed, and if the funds are still available at that time.
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.
City Attorney Review:
City Attorney approves the Extension Agreement document as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
If awarded, costs would be budgeted via budget amendment in 001-21-150-521.34-90 (Operations-Other Contractual Services)
Timing of Request:
This grant extension is time sensitive as it is required in order to process reimbursement from last claim. Additionally, the additional available funding is on a first-come, first-serve basis.