Tulsa County District Attorney

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Tulsa County District Attorney (TCDA) is seeking $417,627.91 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for technological needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to modernize the agency?s technological infrastructure to improve public services. Funds for this project will be used to purchase technology and technology services that enable teleworking, improve public and law enforcement accessibility to TCDA information, and facilitate contactless communication. All purchases are one-time requests that do not obligate the State of Oklahoma to cover future expenses. The proposed budget is divided into three sections that target similar areas of technological need within the TCDA. The first section, upgrades to digitization capabilities, includes making traditionally paper-only documents digitally available. The second section of the budget, upgrades to evidence presentation, includes two ways to digitally present evidence during court proceedings. The third section of the budget, upgrades to communication capabilities, addresses the ability of office personnel, law enforcement, and the public to communicate effectively at a distance. The TCDA needs ARPA funding to transition to a contactless office in order to meet the demand for digital services created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to prepare personnel for future remote work needs.

EVIDENCE

The need for the proposed items was developed with guidance published by the World Economic Forum, the Partnership for Public Service, and other national and international organizations funding research into the long-term effects of the pandemic on government operations and the need for modernization to meet demands created by the pandemic. The public health benefits of the proposed actions are supported by CDC recommendations for reducing the transmission of the virus in common spaces, among other best practices.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The technology requested in this proposal will update the Tulsa County District Attorney, which handles about 14,000 law enforcement referrals for major and minor crimes in Tulsa County annually. Tulsa County has a population of 651,552 and, from 2015-2019, included 61 high-poverty areas out of 176 total census tracts. Individuals in these impoverished areas are disproportionately affected by crime (HUD) and the pandemic (Brookings Institute). A Tulsa World investigation found that the pandemic has had a ?disproportionate impact on minority communities? in Tulsa. One study out of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa found that ?nearly half of responding parents lost their job or had hours cut, and 60% reported a decrease in household income.? The TCDA?s mission is to provide efficient, effective prosecution services that reduce crime. With outdated technology, TCDA cannot meet the demands for service that would directly benefit this population.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Funding for this proposal will be spent on physical items and digital licenses. Recordkeeping for purchases will be conducted by the Grants Specialist, Sara Ramey. Purchase orders will be submitted for approved items by the Office Manager, Anna Manner. Financial approval and check issuance will be completed by the Finance Director, Robert Harmon. All project data and reporting will by completed by the Grants Specialist, who will also be the first Point of Contact for communications needs. Records will be stored physically and electronically in the secure TCDA system and office and will include copies of receipts, POs, and checks.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma