HomeMy WebLinkAboutIII (C) Approval and Authorization for Use of Forfeiture Funds for Purchase of Bicycle Safety Helmets for Ocoee Children in not to exceed amount of $2400 Agenda 7-06-99
Item III C
Ocoee Police Department
175 N. Rluford Avenue •Ocoee, FI. 34761 • (407) 656-1518 • Fax (407)656-0218
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of �ity Commissioners
FROM: Robert E. Mark, Chief Of Police i �./
DATE: June 16, 1999
SUBJECT: USE OF FORFEITURE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
STAFF REPORT
ISSUF
Should the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners authorize the use of Forfeiture money, not to
exceed $2,400, to purchase bicycle safety helmets for under privileged children riding bicycles to and from
school.
BACKGROIIND
Pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, Agencies that receive at least S 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 1998/1999, the Ocoee Police Department received approximately S15,751.29 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 places 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 to 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.
It is being proposed that the bicycle safety helmets he donated to 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.
RFCOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners approve the use
of the forfeiture monies not to exceed $2,400 to purchase bicycle safety helmets for the children in our
community.
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