Title
Federal LECFTF Funding for Seven (7) Undercover Vehicles for the Gainesville Police Department's Special Investigation Division (NB)
Explanation
Currently, the Gainesville Police Department's Special Investigation Division (SID) has 16 vehicles assigned to it, many of which were seized or leased. However, a number of the seized vehicles are inadequate to conduct surveillances and do not meet the rigorous demands of undercover work. While this program has been effective in the short term, the seized vehicles have not been able to withstand the continuous work demanded by our undercover personnel. In addition, the officers assigned to DEA have been using leased vehicles for the past several years, and this program is becoming too costly. Also, only a few of our current vehicles have been cleared by Fleet Management staff to be taken out of town. Our undercover operatives routinely travel out of town on assignments and, where anonymity is desired, the same vehicles seen over and over pose a serious officer safety issue for personnel. On a local level, SID operatives are working with vehicles which have become known and recognizable to the criminal element in Gainesville. From an officer safety perspective, it is necessary to acquire additional vehicles.
The Fleet Manager has agreed that, once these new additions are added to the fleet, he will incorporate a two-year replacement schedule to ensure the timely replacement of covert vehicles. The vehicles will be purchased by the Fleet Manager in accordance with existing fleet bid policies.
In summary, the costs for seven (7) additional vehicles will not exceed $125,000.
Fiscal Note
Funds for this expenditure are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and is allowable per Federal 21 U.S.C.§ 881, found in the U.S. Department of Justice "A Guide to Equitable Sharing of Federally Forfeited Property for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies". The balance of the account is $2,304,584.26, inclusive of items still pending.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed $125,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund for the purchase of seven (7) covert vehicles for Gainesville Police Department's Special Investigations Division.