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R96-016RESOLUTION NO. ~F~'/~ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE CITIZENS ON PATROL PROGRAM; ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach, ~eems it beneficial to the community to establish a program whereby ~itizens can play an active role in patrolling their communities to ~eport and 'deter suspected criminal activity. WHEREAS, the Commission has reviewed and approves the 'uidelines developed by the Police Department for implementation nd management of a program for citizen patrol. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE ~ITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT: Section 1. The City Commission hereby establishes a ~itizens patrol program to be implemented and managed in accordance Tith the guidelines attached hereto as Exhibit "A". Section 2. This Resolution shall become effective immediately [pon its passage and adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ~OYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THIS ~ DaY OF -/~_~//~ 1996. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ~~ ~Mayor ~ ~ f ~ommission~r/ ~ Commissioner IAT~EsT: CLERK I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have approved the fOrm of this RESOLUTION JAMES A. CHEROF CITY ATTORNEY %C/[mh /2/96 00182.88 Page 2 of 2 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM Thomas M. Dettman Chief of Police Ted Padich Deputy Chief January 2, 1996 Citizen Observer Patrol Criteria As per our conversation with the City Manager on 18 December 1995 we have discussed establishing criteria for the implementation or removal of a Citizen Observer Patrol (C.O.P.) Program in the community. We have surveyed both the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office and the Delray Beach Police Department who both have well established successful C.O.P. programs. Neither of these agencies has a codified criteria addressing these issues. We anticipate a lot of interest in our C.O.P. program and we are prepared to expand it, over time, to include as many areas as public interest and our city commission allow. Although we have used the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office and the Delray Beach Police Department's C.O.P. programs as models for our program, we realize that our city is unique in many ways. What works in the county or in the city of Delray Beach may not work in our city and vice versa. A lot of time and effort has gone into the research and preparation of the program. We are anxious that it not become a political football especially considering that this program is in its infancy. All of our cities communities must realize that there is room for expansion and we anticipate ongoing modifications and adjustments as we proceed. As an example, we might find that a community selected is too large for a single C.O.P. vehicle or another too small necessitating modification to the programs' boundaries. We might find that a C.O.P. program doesn't support itself in certain communities due to factors we have not yet anticipated. We believe that flexibility, especially at this point in our program is a necessity. Initially, the communities we have selected must be closely monitored and tracked to gauge the programs impact and success in each established patrol area. The officers charged with the day to day operation of this program are doing so on a part time basis. I believe that the community interest in this program will quickly mm the administration of it into a full time job. There are several criteria that a community might possess that could lead to a formula for success of a C.O.P. prOgram. The most important of all these criteria is citizen participation. All requirements imposed by any agency become moot if the citizens within the community do not actively participate. A community must supply a minimum of 28 volunteers willing to donate 3 hours a week or 12 hours a month. That number of volunteers allows for 14 - 3 hour shifts with two volunteers tiding together. As an approximation, a community should also consist of 250 single family or 500 multi-unit residences. A community that can not meet this requirement cannot in our estimation support a C.O.P. program. A well established Home Owners Association is especially helpful to agencies beginning a program. Active Homeowner Associations usually have a demonstrated community pride, meet on a regular basis, have committed members, and well established lines of communication with the citizens within this community. Additionally, Home Owner Associations have the ability to collect or establish funds for the C.O.P. vehicle maintenance, i.e. gas, oil, and anti-freeze. An active Crime Watch Group within a designated community can also be a positive. A community with an active crime watch has some of the same attributes as mentioned above as well as already established lines of communication with the Police Department. A community with documented crime problems such as vandalism, burglary, purse snatches, and crimes against the elderly could especially benefit from a C.O.P. program. The volunteers patrolling these communities would deter this type of activity as both the Sheriffs Office and the Dekay Beach Police Department have proven. A community with a definable geographical area or natural boundaries help to make the measuring of the programs success as well as its patrol easier. Most of our communities fit some but not all of the categories I've mentioned. As we progress, I'm sure we will redefine our formula for success. Both the Sheriffs Office and the Delray Beach Police Department have communities that meet only some of the mentioned criteria, however their programs are successful. Once established, neither of those agencies have removed a C.O.P. program from a community. They have not needed to. This authority should be designated to the Chief of Police and be based on a written recommendation from the program's facilitator. That recommendation would be due to any number of factors that could include lack of citizen participation, abuse of the C.O.P. vehicle, or failure of the volunteers to follow established guidelineS'Of behavior. This decision would have to be made by the Chief of Police on a case by case basis. Therefore at this time we suggest the following guidelines for establishing a C.O.P. Program in a community: 1. A community that consists of 250 single family or 500 multi-unit residences that can supply a minimum of 28 volunteers. Attendance in training of these volunteers is mandatory. 2. A well established Home Owners Association or active Crime Watch Group. 3. A community with crime problems or concerns. A community that may have high risk victim potential. 4. A community with definable geographical area or natural boundaries. 5. A community that can' commit to the maintenance of the C.O.P. vehicle as prescribed in the C.O.P. roles. I hope that the additional research and thoughts contained here in help to expedite the implementation of this worthwhile program. TJP/sab