Item VII (C) Use of Forfeiture Funds for Police Mountain Bikes and In-Vehicle Reporting Agenda 11-02-99
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Item VII C
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'• Ocoee Police Department . aerl e. a
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of it Commissioners
FROM: Robert E. Mark, Chief Of Police J �1?
DATE: October 25, 1999
SUBJECT: USE OF FORFEITURE FUNDS FOR POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKES AND IN-
VEHICLE REPORTING SYSTEM
STAFF REPORT
ISSUE
Should the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners authorize the use of Forfeiture
money, not to exceed $3,700, to purchase two (2) Police Mountain bicycles and $18,000, to place
towards the in-vehicle reporting system three (3) year plan.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 2 years ago the Police Department started the Bike Unit for use in the Community
Oriented Policing Project. This program was funded through donations of the bicycles from
concerned citizens with the department providing the uniforms for the officers and equipment for the
bike. The bicycles that were donated are of the common variety normally purchased by the
occasional weekend recreational enthusiast and not made for twenty to thirty miles a day(eight hours
each day) of rigorous riding as a police officer will do.
The department and the City's image is enhanced by the officers in the Bike Unit that mainly focus
on public relations, parades, or other public displays. These Officers tend to bond with, as well as
impress, the younger citizens because these children can relate better to these officers generally
because of the bike,they all have something in common.
The department is looking at purchasing the type ofbicycles that are considered full suspension. This
type of bicycle is built with shock absorbers for both the front wheel and the back wheel. The
suspension absorbs road vibration that cause fatigue in the rider.
Due to budget constraints this fiscal year, the department is requesting that Forfeiture money be
utilized to purchase the bicycles and necessary equipment.
POLICE
-.0,411110
Staff Report
October 25, 1999
Page 2
Last year the Police Department applied for and received two grants for starting a pilot program of
an in-vehicle reporting system. The program was presented to the Commission and approved for
a three (3) year project utilizing the grants (Byrne Formula Grant with 25% match and Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant with 10%match),and the use of forfeiture money to fund the project. This
project is innovative and progressive,it has allowed our department to become leaders and one step
ahead of our fellow agencies in the technology war. Because of the ever changing cost of this type
of technology,the original request of$75,000 dollars of forfeiture money needs to be increased an
additional $18,000 dollars which will bring the total amount of forfeiture money to $93,000.
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners approve
the use of the forfeiture monies as follows: (1) $3,700 to purchase two police bicycles and
equipment for them; and (2) $18,000 to place towards the in-vehicle reporting system as part of
the three(3)year plan.