Commission accepts DOJ grant referral, hears crime and budget updates

During new business the commission approved (motion and second) a referral to the city council to accept a U.S. Department of Justice, OJJDP grant of $380,178 for the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and approved forwarding an unsolicited $30 gift card donation to the city council. The motions on both items were made and seconded on the record; the meeting audio recorded "All in favor?" with no roll call detail in the meeting text.

The crime analyst reported year‑to‑date statistics through April showing a 33% drop in calls for service (9,257), a 22% drop in arrests (219 fewer), a small uptick in DWI arrests (29 vs. 28), and declines in offense reports (656 vs. 761) and motor‑vehicle stops (down approximately 38%). The analyst and commissioners linked some declines — particularly in traffic enforcement — to staffing shortages and to an attorney general directive restricting inspection‑sticker enforcement.

Finance reporting indicated the department was about 81% through the fiscal year and tracking at 76% of budget. The speaker reported a FY27 budget submission figure of $16,189,837 and noted significant fourth‑quarter costs ahead (ammunition purchases, equipment and contracted stipends). Commissioners said they continue to wait on federal grant notifications (including JAG funding for a proposed real‑time crime center) and that one project was on an appropriations list submitted by Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office.

Motions at the meeting did not always include named movers or a full roll‑call vote in the meeting text; subsequent minutes or the city‑council referral paperwork will show the formal vote tallies and the lead mover/second if recorded.