Proposed Resolution No. R26-157- Ratifying the submission of an application for the FY26-27 Human Trafficking Grant Program - Law Enforcement Technology through the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking in the amount of $299,109.00 and authorizing the City to accept the grant, if awarded, authorizing the Mayor, City Manager and/or Police Chief to execute all future documents associated with the grant, subject to review by the City Attorney's office.
Staff recommend approval of the proposed Resolution No. R26-157.
The Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking serves as the Direct Support Organization (DSO) to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking (Council). At the direction of the Council, the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking is issuing a grant to support law enforcement agency efforts in fighting human trafficking.
The grant application was submitted on September 16, 2026. If awarded, funds will allow the City of Boynton Beach Police Department (BBPD) to strengthen its ability to investigate human trafficking and exploitation by sustaining critical digital forensic technologies and expanding the investigative and forensic capacity of its Human Exploitation Unit (HEU) and Digital Forensics Unit.
Funding will directly support specialized digital forensic software subscriptions, dedicated forensic processing workstations, secure network storage, remote-access capability, and additional covert investigative equipment. These resources will be integrated into BBPD's existing human trafficking investigative workflow and used to acquire, process, analyze, preserve, securely review, and manage digital evidence developed during legally authorized investigations.
The project addresses two related needs: continuity of essential technology already integrated into BBPD's investigative operations and additional capacity to manage the growing volume and complexity of digital evidence.
The grant will enhance the Boynton Beach Police Department’s existing human trafficking and exploitation investigative services by providing specialized technology and equipment to support the Human Exploitation Unit and Digital Forensics Unit. The funding will improve the Department’s capacity to efficiently acquire, process, analyze, preserve, and securely manage digital evidence associated with legally authorized investigations. The grant will supplement existing City resources and sustain critical forensic capabilities without requiring additional City funding for the supported equipment and software.
If awarded, grant account numbers will be created.
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this request, as the department is applying for grant funding under the FY26-27 Human Trafficking Grant Program. If awarded, the total estimated grant funding of $299,109.00 will be used towards the proposed initiative.