City of Hyattsville Vandalism Prevention Grant Program

The City of Hyattsville Vandalism Prevention Grants Program aims to offer financial relief to small businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within Hyattsville that have been negatively affected by vandalism. This program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and has a total of $15,000 available, split between two grants. The Vandalism Prevention Grant is specifically a reimbursement grant. While a direct "foundation mission alignment" and "theory of change" from the City of Hyattsville are not explicitly stated, the program's existence clearly aligns with a municipal mission to support local economic stability and community safety by mitigating the financial burdens of vandalism on its small business and non-profit sectors. The primary target beneficiaries are small businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations located in Hyattsville. A small business is defined as having fewer than 50 employees, annual revenues between $1,000 and $5 million, being independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field. Franchise owners are eligible, but private residences, landlords, and multifamily residential properties are excluded. The impact goal is to help these entities cover costs associated with eligible repairs and security measures following vandalism incidents, thereby fostering their recovery and enhancing their resilience against future occurrences. The program prioritizes funding for specific eligible security measures. These include security cameras and recording equipment, shatterproof glass and protective films, lock enhancements, exterior lighting enhancements, alarm and monitoring systems, and anti-graffiti films, paints, or coatings. Funds are provided as a reimbursement for these measures acquired between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2024. The focus is clearly on proactive and reactive measures that directly address the physical and financial impacts of vandalism. The expected outcomes include reduced financial strain on affected small businesses and non-profits, improved security infrastructure across the city's commercial and non-profit sectors, and a disincentive for future vandalism through enhanced protective measures. Measurable results would be tracked by the number of grants awarded, the total amount of funds reimbursed, and the types of security measures implemented. While the document does not outline specific metrics like "reduction in vandalism incidents," the direct correlation between funding security enhancements and mitigating vandalism effects implies these as indirect, desired outcomes. The maximum award for the Vandalism Prevention Grant is $2,000 per business or non-profit organization.