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A Resolution authorizing an expenditure in the amount of $40,000 from Federal Forfeited Asset Fund (F.A.F.) moneys for law enforcement equipment; to supplement the acquisition of a mobile command post vehicle for utilization by the Coral Gables Police Department.
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The Coral Gables Police Department participates with federal law enforcement agencies of the United States Departments of Justice, Treasury and/or Homeland Security in joint law enforcement investigations. The Coral Gables Police Department’s participation in those joint federal - local investigations produces federally seized funds. At the discretion of the United States Attorney General under United States Statute: 18 U.S.C. Section 981 (e)(2), and 21 U.S.C. Section 881 (e)(1)(A) and (e)(3)(b), the Coral Gables Police Department may lawfully receive equitable shares of the federally seized funds at the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
The “Guide to Equitable Sharing for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies” by the United States Department of Justice provides that the equitably shared forfeited asset funds resulting from the participation of a local agency in investigations with Federal law enforcement agencies may be utilized by the participating local agency for law enforcement equipment.
The Coral Gables Police Department has identified a need for additional funding to supplement the acquisition of the mobile command post vehicle, a vehicle that provides a mobile, on-site platform for command, control and communications during terrorist attacks, natural disasters, national events and other similar occurrences. Since the project was first approved in FY19, additional equipment was added to the project through the Invitation for Bid #2020-007 process. These items were verified by Nelson Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Information Technology and Steven Riley, Assistant Director for Fleet Management, as essential equipment for the functionality and operation of the vehicle. As a result, a supplement of $40,000 is requested to finalize the project and move forward with a formal order to purchase under Invitation to Bid #2020-007.
City leadership have reviewed, vetted, and approved the Coral Gables Chief of Police’s request to expend the available forfeited asset funds via memorandum dated July 28, 2020.