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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO DETERMINE THE AVAILABILITY, COSTS AND BENEFITS OF USING ARMORED POLICE SURVEILLANCE VEHICLES

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WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County should seek new opportunities to improve the performance and efficiency of the services it provides, especially public safety; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Miami-Dade County can benefit from safer neighborhoods and a reduction in crime; and
WHEREAS, armored police surveillance vehicles have been obtained by law enforcement agencies for surveillance and as a conspicuous crime deterrent in high crime areas in cities throughout the country, including but not limited to:
* Ft. Lauderdale, Florida;
* St. Petersburg, Florida;
* Tampa, Florida;
* Evanston, Illinois;
* St. Louis, Missouri;
* Rome, New York;
* Utica, New York;
* Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
* Racine, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, the law enforcement agencies in the aforementioned cities either purchased used armored vehicles at a steep discount from money transportation companies or obtained the vehicles through donation from the military, and subsequently outfitted the vehicles with modern surveillance equipment; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade Police Department may be able to benefit from the use of technology and a conspicuous crime deterrent in high crime areas to make more efficient use of its resources and to more efficiently allocate its sworn officers,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Directs the Mayor or Mayor�s designee to conduct a feasibility study to determine the financial costs of purchase, implementation, and use of armored police surveillance vehicles for County law enforcement, including, but not limited to, consideration of the following:
1. The efficacy of the use of said vehicles for surveillance of criminal conduct in other jurisdictions, and the success rate of the use of any surveillance evidence in court that derived from said vehicles;
2. The efficacy of said vehicles as a crime deterrent in other jurisdictions as suggested by available statistical data;
3. The availability of any grants or donor programs to provide the armored vehicles, and the costs associated with the purchase of said vehicles;
4. The costs associated with the refurbishing of the armored vehicles to meet the County�s needs, including but not limited to the addition of technology and equipment, and replacement of worn mechanical parts;
5. The costs associated with the implementation, use and maintenance of the armored surveillance vehicles and attendant equipment and technology;
6. The potential manpower savings in terms of sworn law enforcement officers and civilian staff, if any; and
7. Compliance with Constitutional rights and safeguards in conjunction with implementation and use of armored police surveillance vehicles in residential areas and close proximity to homes and other places where people may have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Section 2. Directs the Mayor or Mayor�s designee to provide a report on the feasibility study to this Board for committee review within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution.