SUBJECT
Title
GENERAL SERVICES - APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE OF NEW SPACE FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The District Attorney’s Office (DAO) Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of crimes. One of the teams within the Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is the Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force (CATCH), which is a multi-agency task force formed to apprehend and prosecute criminals who use technology to commit crimes. CATCH combines local, state and federal law enforcement agencies from San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties.
On November 7, 2023 (4), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a plan presented by the DAO for use of Proposition 64 funds to expand consumer protection activities in several areas which would require additional staff. Since its formation in 2000, CATCH has operated out of the DAO’s central office at the Hall of Justice, but they have outgrown the space and there is no room for expansion. The Department of General Services conducted a space validation that supports the need for 13,661 square feet of office space. Today’s request is for the Board to approve, in principle, the lease of space for CATCH. Upon successful negotiation of a lease agreement, staff will return to the Board to request approval of the transaction.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find that the proposed action is not an approval of a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378 (b)(5) of the State CEQA guidelines.
2. Approve in principle the lease of approximately 13,661 square feet of office space for the District Attorney’s Office.
3. Authorize the Director, Department of General Services, to conduct a site search, negotiate a lease, and upon successful negotiations, return to the Board for approval of the lease agreement.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
It is anticipated that the proposed lease for the District Attorney’s Office Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force will contribute positively to the community by limiting threats throughout the county through a multi-agency task force used to combat high-tech crimes.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Implementing effective sustainability objectives is crucial to ensuring safe and healthy communities and contributing to the overall success of the region. The approval in principle of a lease for the San Diego County District Attorney Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force supports the County’s Strategic Initiative of Sustainability to ensure the capability to respond to immediate needs for individuals, families, and the region.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the requested approval in principle of a lease for the District Attorney’s Office (DAO). However, there will be future fiscal impacts and lease costs to be determined during lease negotiations and will be provided when staff return to the Board to request approval of the new lease agreement. The funding source for the lease will be the County Proposition 64 Consumer Fraud Fund and will be included in future operational plans for the DAO. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
The District Attorney’s Office (DAO) Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of crimes, including computer intrusion, identity theft <https://www.sdcda.org/preventing/identity-theft>, investment scams, embezzlements, real estate matters, counterfeit goods, environmental crimes and the theft of public assistance funds. The division also acts to protect consumers and businesses by successfully filing numerous civil cases to prohibit unfair business practices within the marketplace. One of the teams within the Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is the Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force (CATCH), which is a multi-agency task force formed to apprehend and prosecute criminals who use technology to commit crimes. High-tech crime investigation requires information sharing and cooperation among all levels of government across traditional jurisdictional boundaries. Consequently, CATCH was formed combining local, state and federal law enforcement agencies from San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties.
On November 7, 2023 (04), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a strategic plan presented by the DAO to utilize Proposition 64 funds for consumer protection law enforcement including expanded cyber-crimes investigations and forensics. Additional staff and competitive procurements were approved to support these activities. Since its formation in 2000, CATCH has operated out of the DAO’s central office at the Hall of Justice, but they have outgrown the space and there is no room for expansion. Additionally, there are no vacant County-owned or leased facilities that meet the program requirements.
The Department of General Services (DGS) conducted a space validation that supports the need for 13,661 square feet of office space. Today’s request is for the Board to approve, in principle, the lease of space for CATCH and authorize the Director of DGS to conduct a site search and negotiate a lease. Upon successful negotiation of a lease agreement, staff will return to the Board to request approval of the transaction.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ (Board) approval in principle to lease office space for the District Attorney’s Office Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act. The Board’s action does not commit the County to a definite course of action with respect to any project. Once a property is identified for lease, staff will return to the Board with the appropriate environmental finding, as required by law.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action to approve, in principle, the lease of office space for San Diego County District Attorney supports the Community Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by providing services that support safe communities.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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