Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Finance Forfeiture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oxnard approves allocation of federal and state asset-forfeiture funds for police programs and community microgrants
Summary
The City Council approved budget appropriations for federal and state asset forfeiture funds to the Police Department and confirmed a plan to use a portion of state funds for community microgrants to nonprofits; council discussed civil-forfeiture concerns.
The Oxnard City Council approved March 4 budget appropriations to accept and allocate federal and state asset-forfeiture proceeds for use by the Police Department, and confirmed a program that makes a portion of state forfeiture funds available as microgrants to community organizations.
Council voted to appropriate the requested amounts and to use a set-aside of state forfeiture proceeds (15%) for community grants; the action passed unanimously. The police chief said the city issues a news release each December inviting community organizations to apply for microscale grants; the department then evaluates proposals and awards sums typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.
Why it matters: Asset forfeiture proceeds are derived from criminal investigations and joint law-enforcement actions. The council’s decision funds crime-prevention and department operations; one councilmember used the discussion to flag civil-forfeiture concerns around due process and the difficulty property owners sometimes face in reclaiming seized assets.
What the council approved: Staff requested and the council approved appropriations totaling the amounts listed in the March 4 agenda packet for federal and state forfeiture funds (specific line-item totals were approved by roll call). Police staff said the city has used a public call for applications and awarded microgrants in recent years to local nonprofits and community groups.
Discussion: Councilmember Starr expressed discomfort with civil-forfeiture practice nationally, noting studies that show many cash seizures are small and that property owners sometimes face difficulty recovering assets when no criminal charge follows. The police chief and staff said forfeiture actions typically result from joint investigations with federal partners and that a share of proceeds is allocated according to participating agency agreements.
Next steps: The Police Department will continue the outreach and public-notice process for community microgrants and implement the approved appropriation. The council received the staff report and approved the requested budget amendments.
