ORANGE, COUNTY OF, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT (5) - 2013

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ATTACHMENT A 2013 -DJ -BX -1065 City: Buena Park: The City of Buena Park proposes to use the 2013 Justice Assistance Grant funding as follows: Purpose Areas: Law Enforcement ProEram Narrative: Law enforcement agencies, regardless of size, are not immune to rising crime rates, staff shortages and budget restrictions. Rising crime rates can tax the investigative and administrative resources of an agency, More crime may mean that fewer cases are pursued vigorously, fewer opportunities arise for follow -up, or individual caseloads increase from already overworked detectives. It is not uncommon for transfers, retirements or other personnel changes to occur, resulting in lack of follow -up on some cases. The Buena Park Police Department currently has 27 unsolved homicide cases, commonly referred to as "cold cases ", some dating back to the year 1970. The Police Department wants to continue a "cold ease" program, utilizing experienced investigators to pursue leads in these cases and track down possible suspects. The arrest of suspects in one "cold case" may either solve other cases (through new leads and information from suspects) or prevent new cases (by keeping killers from committing other crimes). Today, homicide investigators have at their disposal technology, investigative methods and resources tba t were not available to law enforcement agencies in the past. Ln 2009, the Buena Park Police Department, received approval to use JAG funding for cold case honrrcide investigations. These funds allowed investigators to work with members of the Orange County District Attorney's Office, to solve a homicide that had occurred in 1987. Through hours and hours of thorough interviews and sifting through evidence, investigators were finally able to arrest the suspect in 2013 and he is currently awaiting trial for this crime. This is a success story in every sense of the word. Goals of the proicet: Investigators will review all unsolved "cold case" homicides and prioritize them according to the likelihood of an eventual solution. The highest priority cases are those in which suspects were previously names or identified through forensic methods; an arrest warrant was previously issued (but no arrest has been made), significant physical evidence (such as fingerprints, DNA or shell casings) can be reprocessed with new technology for further evidence; new documented leads have arisen and /or critical witnesses are accessible and willing to cooperate. Stratezies to be used for project: Investigators will review all unsolved "cold case" homicides and prioritize them according to the likelihood of an eventual solution. The highest priority cases are those in which suspects were previously names or identified through forensic methods; an arrest warrant was previously issued (but no arrest has been made), significant physical evidence (such as fingerprints, DNA or shell casings) can be reprocessed with new technology for further evidence; new documented leads have arisen and/or critical witnesses are accessible and willing to cooperate. 2013 -DJ -BX -1065 Page 9 of 29