HomeMy WebLinkAboutVII (C) Discussion/ Action re: Use of Forfeiture Funds for Community Projects AGENDA 17-02-97
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Ocoee Police Department �u Robert E. Mark
175 N. Bluford Avenue ,lia Ri�'r Chief of Police
Ocoee, Florida 34761 .�11--
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Phone (407) 656-1313 41
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Fax (407) 656-0218 Ana—
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners
FROM: Robert E. Mark, Chief Of Police
DATE: November 19, 1997
SUBJECT : USE OF FORFEITURE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
STAFF REPORT
ISSUE
Should the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners
authorize the use of Forfeiture money, not to exceed $2, 700, to
purchase four (4) hand held radios to be utilized for the Cardinal
Patrol at the Ocoee Middle School; and to purchase bicycle safety
helmets for under privileged children riding bicycles to and from
school .
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, Agencies that
receive at least $15, 000 within a fiscal year must expend or donate
no less than 15% of such proceeds for the support or operation of
any drug treatment, drug abuse education, drug prevention, crime
prevention, safe neighborhood, or school resource officer
program(s) . Fiscal year 1995/1996, the Ocoee Police Department
received approximately $17, 440 . 54 in our forfeiture Fund.
DISCUSSION
As we are all aware, safety of our children is a number one concern
for all in our community. With that in mind the Ocoee Police
Department would like to purchase bicycle safety helmets for those
school age children whom are less fortunate and cannot afford them.
With the enactment of the new bicycle helmet law mandating that
children under the age of 14 shall wear a bicycle safety helmet
while riding their bicycles has placed many of the children and
their families in a hardship because they cannot afford the
helmets . Due to the enormous amount of children in our community
and the fact that Orange County School Board has decided not
provide transportation for them to school if they live less than
two miles from the school, the majority of the children must either
walk or ride their bicycle to school .
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Staff Report
November 19, 1997
Page 2
It is being proposed that the bicycle safety helmet be donated to
the Ocoee Chapter of Rotary Club who present the safety helmets to
children enrolled in the Spring Lake Elementary, Ocoee Elementary
and Ocoee Middle School . This year' s presentations of the safety
helmets to the children will be a combined effort of the Rotary
Club and The Ocoee Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that the Honorable Mayor and Board
of City Commissioners approve the use of the forfeiture monies not
to exceed $2, 700 to purchase four Radios and bicycle safety helmets
for the children in our community.