Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies
(a) The office of policy and management may allow up to a maximum of $40,000 per full-time office per full year for base salary, fringe benefits and standard issue equipment (except vehicles). Any costs above $40,000 for these items, or other officer-related costs such as recruiting and testing costs associated with hiring new police officers and overtime, are the responsibility of the municipality. No funds from this program may be used to purchase or lease vehicles of any kind. Personnel costs (as above) for officers hired under this program while undergoing recruit training may be paid from the grant. Municipalities shall either assign the newly hired officers within the safe neighborhoods project area or, as an alternative, use existing experienced officers for their safe neighborhoods project, and deploy the newly hired officers as replacements for those officers at their regular assignments on a one-to-one basis (backfilling).
(b) Basic recruit training for officers hired under this program shall be provided at no cost to the municipalities by the municipal police training council. Municipalities may elect to provide basic training for their new officers by other means: however, no additional allowance shall be made for officers who receive their recruit training other than through the municipal police training council. No in-service training may be covered by this program.
(c) State bond funds may be authorized to permit the establishment of police substations. The office of policy and management shall make recommendations to the state bond commission for funding under this component. Authorization of these funds is at the discretion of the state bond commission. The funds may be used to purchase a suitable building in the safe neighborhood area, or to pay for necessary renovations and equipment for a municipally-owned or leased facility to make it suitable for use as a police sub-station. State bond funds cannot be used for lease payments (rent). Renovations or improvements should be major, and intended to make the property suitable for sub-station use for at least ten years. Equipment, unless incidental to a major renovation or improvement, should have an expected ten year life. There is a 10 year recapture rule which requires that the property bought, renovated, or improved, and any equipment paid for under this program shall be used for grant purposes for the life of the grant, and then used for a public purpose (not necessarily grant related) to a total of ten years. Failure to comply with this requirement shall require repayment of a pro rata share of the state bond funds involved.
(d) Safe neighborhood crime prevention projects include such activities as crime watches, recreational programs, neighborhood clean-ups, senior citizen programs and positive youth development programs. At least 75% of grant funds in this category shall go to, or be spent on behalf of, neighborhood organizations. The remainder may be used by the municipality to support neighborhood organization activities with services or equipment.
(e) State bond funds may be available to municipalities to enable them to offer security enhancement programs for residents and businesses in the safe neighborhoods project areas. The office of policy and management shall make recommendations to the state bond commission for funding under this component. Authorization of these funds is at the discretion of the state bond commission. Small grants (a match requirement may be included if desired) may be made by municipalities for physical improvements to homes, businesses and public spaces to increase public and private security. These improvements could include such items as fencing, lighting or alarm systems. The security enhancements funded should be substantial and intended to last ten years. Since these grants may be made to the owners of private property and may be "environmental" rather than structural in nature, there shall be no recapture provision. Municipalities shall develop and document a recipient selection process which is impartial and will ensure the most favorable impact on their safe neighborhoods project areas. The following grant limits shall apply for state bond funds:
(1) residential buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500 per dwelling unit;
(2) commercial/industrial buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000 per company or business; and
(3) public property (except housing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$200,000 per city.
The total grant amounts may be higher if matching funds or other contributions are included.
(f) Police overtime funds may be used to improve public safety in neighborhoods where there has been a high incidence of crimes committed with firearms, through projects which increase police presence during times when it is most needed to deter and control illegal use of firearms. The neighborhood(s) selected for this program are not required to be the same as or within the safe neighborhood project area, and may be citywide.
(Adopted effective January 31, 1994; Amended April 18, 1996)