Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Phoenix council accepts reallocated homeland security funds after questions on oversight
Summary
Council approved acceptance of reallocated FY22 federal homeland security funds; councilmembers questioned definitions of terrorism‑related risk, the vetting of groups and whether grant activities could trigger work with federal immigration enforcement.
The Phoenix City Council voted to accept reallocated federal fiscal year 2022 homeland security grant funds intended for planning, equipment and training to help prevent, protect against and respond to terrorism‑related and catastrophic incidents.
Councilmembers asked police representatives to clarify how the department defines "terrorism‑related risk," how threats are vetted, and whether grant work could require collaboration with federal immigration authorities. Assistant Chief (Police) said the term is defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and that threat referrals are vetted and assigned to appropriate investigative units; he also said the department focuses on criminal acts and targets rather than ideologies. Staff explained that grant projects are reviewed at the state and federal level and must meet specific program descriptions and eligibility rules.
Councilwoman Hernandez asked whether the department monitors hate groups and whether grant funding might implicitly require cooperation with federal partners such as ICE; staff responded that investigations and enforcement remain within normal jurisdictional boundaries and that Operation Stone Garden (a different, border‑specific program) was not applicable in the city's typical UASI submissions. Staff offered to meet with councilmembers for a deeper briefing on grant scope and oversight.
After discussion, the council approved the grant acceptance on a roll call vote. The motion passed 8–1; Councilwoman Stark voted no and several members requested more detailed briefings on program oversight and criteria for listing groups as threats.
