Item #02 Approval to Expend Forfeiture Funds to Purchase Investigative Subscription
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AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: February 16, 2010
Item # 'l-
Contact Name:
Contact Number:
S. Goclon
Reviewed By:
Department Director:
City Manager:
Subject: Approval to Expend Forfeiture Funds to Purchase Investi~ative Subscription
Background Summary:
Per Florida State Statutes 932.7055 "...Such (forfeiture fund) proceeds and interest earned therefrom shall be
used for.. . other law enforcement purposes, which include defraying the cost of protracted or complex
investigations, providing additional equipment or expertise...." Leads Online is a company that compiles data
from second-hand dealers the instant such dealers enter merchandise descriptions and sellers' information into
their system. Subscribing law enforcement agencies may search the system to locate pawned stolen property
nationwide helping to solve cases and recover property much more quickly than through traditional methods.
With Leads Online, information is available to law enforcement almost immediately, as opposed to having to
wait as many as three to four weeks with normal investigative channels. Unlike the current reporting and search
systems already in place, Leads Online catches serial number transcription errors, allows search by customized
engraving, allows search of pawns by city of seller's residence, and monitors eBay auctions and classified ads.
Without Leads Online, the investigation of eBay auctions is difficult and requires the acquisition of subpoenas,
which is costly and time-consuming. Leads Online also tracks scrap metal sellers.
The Leads Online database has over 200 million records. It is used by more than 1,100 law enforcement
agencies across the country, including some in Florida. Investigators get the timely, cross-jurisdictional
information they need to work cases more effectively. Officers spend more time solving crimes and less time
going store-to-store, gathering and searching through analog information. During a brief trial period, Ocoee
police detectives were able to locate leads in five cases, to include locating a gun that was sold in another state.
Leads Online also uses "point of sale" fingerprint and photo identification at some participating businesses
leaving no doubt as to the identity of a seller. This eliminates time-consuming investigative steps for the case
detectives as well as the risk of an employee not being able to identify a seller at a later date.
The police department wishes to expend not more than $6,000 from its Police Forfeiture fund to purchase a one
year subscription. As the service is unique, proprietary, and offered nationwide out of Dallas, Texas and there
are no distributorships, the department wishes a waiver from purchasing requirements that may require
additional pricing quotes. As this is a first year program, forfeiture funds are being used. Should the Ocoee
Police Department wish to continue using it, subsequent years' subscriptions would be funded from the
department's budget. Their web site is www.Leadsonline.com.
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners authorize the Police Department to expend not
more than $6000 from its Forfeiture fund to purchase a one year subscription to Leads Online?
Recommendations
It is recommended that the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners authorize the Police Department
to expend not more than $6000 from its Forfeiture fund to purchase a one year subscription to Leads Online.
Attachments:
None
Financial Impact:
Not more than $6,000 from the Police Forfeiture fund.
Type of Item: (please mark with an "x")
Public Hearing
_ Ordinance First Reading
_ Ordinance Second Reading
Resolution
x Commission Approval
Discussion & Direction
There is approximately $164,785 in this fund.
_ Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
Original Document/Contract Held by Department for Execution
Reviewed by City Attorney
Reviewed by Finance Dept.
Reviewed by 0
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For Clerk's Deaf Use:
_ Consent Agenda
Public Hearing
_ Regular Agenda
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