THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT AND BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
This action supports the Board of County Commissioners' Value of "Ensuring economic opportunities for Broward's diverse population and businesses" and the Goal to "Increase the economic strength and impact of revenue-generating County enterprises balancing economic, environmental, and community needs."
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 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 Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) funds by the Port. Since the assignment of Port Everglades-based BSO personnel to such activities, Port Everglades has received LETF distributions totaling $650,926 as of March 26, 2018; $311,404 of which has 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 Port Everglades District Captain with 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 response capabilities (see Exhibit 1). The funds will be used to purchase approximately 30 Public Access Bleeding Control (B-Con) Stations for deployment throughout public buildings in Port Everglades. This includes all cruise terminals at the port. The equipment will be mounted in these buildings in locations near existing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). BSO Fire/Rescue at Port Everglades has been providing training on the use of B-Con equipment to port users since July 2017, and also provides Rescue Task Force (RTF) training for local emergency responders to supplement the Active Shooter/Assailant awareness training that has been offered by BSO to port users for many years. Adding Public Access B-Con Stations in each cruise terminal and in other public buildings at Port Everglades will allow for an immediate response by responders or the public to an incident or accident that results in bleeding.
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 authorized to facilitate the procurement of this specialized equipment by BSO. 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. While this equipment normally does not require any maintenance, replacement of any equipment used will be funding by Port Everglades.
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