Item III (B) Approval and Authorization to use forfeiture funds not-to-exceed $4,000 to purchase ten (10) VHF frequency portable radios with chargers }
�
AGENDA 11-15-94
I Item III B
Ocoee
Ocoee • 1, tment
17- 6 : pv-e.144 V E
Os•. 0: D,. 47.1
(407)656-1313
Chief of Police
lt{Of COOO`J
"Service With Honor And Pride"
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of y Commissioners
FROM: Robert E. Mark, Chief Of Police
DATE: November 1, 1994
SUBJECT: USE OF FORFEITURE FUNDS FOR YOUTH CRIME WATCH PROGRAM
STAFF REPORT
ISSUE
Should the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners
authorize the use of Forfeiture money to purchase ten ( 10) VHF
frequency portable radios with chargers to be utilized at the Ocoee
Middle School for the Youth Crime Watch Program.
BACKGROUND
The Youth Crime Watch Program was created in 1979 in Miami as an
outgrowth of Citizen's Crime Watch of Florida. Since 1984 Youth
Crime Watch has been mandated in Dade County Elementary, Middle,
and Senior High Schools; it has also spread to many other cities in
Florida and across the Nation. In Florida, Youth Crime Watch is
endorsed by the office of the Governor, by State Legislatures, and
by the Department of Education, as well as by many county and local
agencies and organizations.
The Ocoee Police Department needs to utilize a portion of the State
Forfeiture money pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act
which states that 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) . "
During 92/93 fiscal year the Ocoee Police Department received
$16,025.43 in forfeiture money. During 93/94 fiscal year the Ocoee
Police Department received $15,513.26 in forfeiture money. The
total amount of forfeiture money received over the two year period
is $31,538.69 of which 15% is $4730.80. We have spent $373.70 on
a safe neighborhood youth dance, leaving $4,357 . 10 which still
needs to be expended.
a'
DISCUSSION
In an effort to become more involved in our schools and the
community, the Ocoee Police Department, with the cooperation of
Principal Kate Clark and the staff of the Ocoee Middle School, will
institute the Youth Crime Watch Program at the Ocoee Middle School.
The Youth Crime Watch Program is designed for youths who are
willing to take on the responsibility and learn techniques to
safeguard and secure their school and environment from crime.
Students volunteer to help school officials by anonymously
reporting potential problems.
Youth Crime Watch goals are intended to provide crime-free and
drug-free environments for themselves and their families in which
to live and learn. The program concentrates on cultivating
positive values, good citizenship, and self-confidence within the
Youth Crime Watch members and also among all those with whom they
go to school and live with. The program will show students how to
become their own resources for preventing drug distribution and
use, gang violence and other crimes, and student dropouts.
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that the Honorable Mayor and Board
of City Commissioners approve this request to utilize forfeiture
funds not to exceed $4,000 to purchase ten ( 10) VHF frequency
portable radios with chargers.