Title
Law Enforcement Digital Surveillance Equipment from Federal Law Enforcement Forfeiture Funds (NB)
Explanation
The Gainesville Police Department's Special Investigations Division is involved in many protracted investigations that require accurate, detailed presentation of the criminal case in court and state attorney hearings. The equipment proposed for purchase is designed for the Division's use during both covert surveillance and long term investigations involving electronic monitoring. The digital covert surveillance equipment with accompanying hardware and software, will increase the successful prosecution and outcome of the criminal investigations, while reducing otherwise high personnel costs involved in the case investigation. Due to the confidential nature of the Special Investigations Division, the information regarding the equipment is intentionally vague.
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. ยง 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 in the account is $2,391,138.42. Balance is adjusted to account for pending items.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed $70,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Trust Fund for purchase of digital covert surveillance equipment for the Gainesville Police Department's Special Investigations Division.