THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT AND BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
Article 16 of the Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and the Sheriff of Broward County (BSO) providing for Seaport Security and Law Enforcement Services at Port Everglades approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (Board) on September 10, 2015 (Item No. 32) and expiring September 30, 2020, provides that the County could receive a share of any currency or property seized and subsequently forfeited to BSO based on seizures within Port Everglades or in other locations where BSO personnel assigned to Port Everglades actively participated in the investigation and/or seizure of the property. In 2009, the Port Everglades Port Director authorized BSO to have a deputy assigned to Port Everglades to participate on a regional multi-agency Money Laundering Task Force that investigated money laundering and other related crimes. As a result of that participation, Port Everglades became eligible to receive a share of any funds made available to Task Force participants. On January 11, 2011 (Item No. 2), the Board approved an Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification between Broward County, Broward Sheriff's Office, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Department of Treasury that provided for Port Everglades participation in the Equitable Sharing Program to allow for distribution and retention of LETF funds by the Port. Since the assignment of Port Everglades-based BSO personnel to such activities, Port Everglades has received LETF distributions totaling $587,492, and $267,961 in funds have been expended for the purchases of security equipment to enhance law enforcement capabilities at Port Everglades.
While the funds are provided to the Port, their use is limited to supporting or enhancing port security and law enforcement capabilities within the confines of Port Everglades. The County/BSO Interlocal Agreement also provides the BSO District Captain the ability to request funding as long as the application is in compliance with Florida Statutes, and the Port Director concurs. The BSO District Captain has requested funding to provide equipment to enhance BSO's port security and law enforcement capabilities. The funds will be used to implement BSO's Body Worn Camera Program by outfitting BSO Port Everglades District sworn law enforcement deputies conducting law enforcement activities at the Port with the equipment (see Exhibit 1). Implementing the Body Worn Camera Program will increase BSO capabilities to successfully conduct its assigned functions at Port Everglades.
The Port Everglades Chief Executive/Port Director has reviewed the request and concurs that the equipment requested will enhance the capability of BSO to provide seaport security and law enforcement services at Port Everglades. Staff recommends the funds be transferred from Port Everglades to BSO to facilitate the procurement of this specialized equipment. As provided for in Article 12 of the Interlocal Agreement, equipment purchased by BSO will become the property of the County upon termination of the Interlocal Agreement.
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