California’s Board of State and Community Corrections on Thursday unanimously approved awarding grants to several cities and counties in the state, including more than $4 million for Palm Springs.
In total, nearly $270 million was approved to combat organized retail theft. The funds will support a range of initiatives, including data sharing, surveillance, and license plate trackers, to prevent and address organized retail crime.
Palm Springs was approved for roughly $4.6 million which the department plans to use in its “comprehensive crime prevention model” that targets retail and vehicle theft, including the theft of catalytic converters.
“Our model incorporates a range of activities, services, and interventions aimed at reducing crime and enhancing community safety while not focusing solely on the criminal justice system,” the Palm Springs Police Department wrote in their proposal,
PSPD said the apprehension is just a short-term strategy, and they will tackle crime in the long-term, “through problem-solving and situational crime prevention.”
The majority of the $270 million will fund theft prevention through different programs including data sharing, surveillance, and license plate trackers. Nearly $25 million will establish vertical prosecution teams.
Distribution of the grant money will be carried out over the next three years, beginning on Oct. 1. The program aims to enhance cooperation among law enforcement agencies, retailers, and community organizations to combat organized retail theft.
