City of Gainesville - File #: 110122.

• File #: 110122.
• Version: 0
• Name: Accept Funding from Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (B)
• Type: Staff Recommendation
• Status: Passed
• File created: 9/15/2011
• In control: City Manager
• Final action: 9/15/2011
• Title: Accept Funding from Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (B) This is a request for City Commission approval to accept State funds available from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (RDESF) via the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, serving as the fiduciary and fiscal agent for Region III of the RDESF, for reimbursement of overtime costs or costs related to the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to prescribed controlled substances incurred by the Gainesville Police Department Special Investigations Division as part of the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force (B)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/15/2011	0	City Commission	Approved as Recommended	Pass

Title
Accept Funding from Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (B)

This is a request for City Commission approval to accept State funds available from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (RDESF) via the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, serving as the fiduciary and fiscal agent for Region III of the RDESF, for reimbursement of overtime costs or costs related to the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to prescribed controlled substances incurred by the Gainesville Police Department Special Investigations Division as part of the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force (B)


Explanation
On November 1, 2007, the Gainesville Police Department Special Investigations Division (GPD SID) combined with the Alachua County Sheriffs' Office Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit (ASO NOCU), along with the University of Florida Police Department (UPD) to form the Gainesville - Alachua County Drug Task Force (DTF).

Recently two funding sources have been developed by the taskforce to combat abuse of prescription drugs. The 2011 Florida Legislature passed CS/CS/HB 7095 during its regular session in recognition of the public health emergency presented by prescription drug abuse and overdoses and the propensity of some practitioners to dispense unjustifiable amounts of controlled substances to addicts and persons engaged in the illicit sale of prescription controlled substances. The act was signed into law on June 3, 2011 as Chapter 2011-141, Laws of Florida.

Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (RDESF) have been established in all seven regions of Florida covered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to coordinate the identification, investigation, prosecution and dismantling of "pill mill" operations at the local level. $3 million in funds have been allocated for reimbursement of expenses to all Strike Forces.

Investigative targets will be pursue...