WCOM NEWS

9-22-04

Funding sought in Miramar for community policing

MIRAMAR--Miramar commissioners recently applied for funds to further enhance police services to the community.

The city is seeking $29,116 under the 2004 Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program and approved spending $3,235 in state law enforcement forfeiture funds as a required matching grant.

"The funds will be used to enhance the department's community policing efforts and may also be used to support other law enforcement training, equipment or technology enhancements," said Tymira Mack, grant writer for the Police Department. "Ultimately, use of these funds will benefit all residents of our city as it will enable us to meet demands for police services, while pursuing improved methods of enhancing law enforcement, reducing crime and improving overall public safety in our city."

The funds would not be used to hire additional personnel.

Mack said the cash match amount must be about 10 percent of the grant. Forfeiture funds consist of cash seized by officers at crime scenes.

The grant money is expected in November, Mack said.

Police spokesman Bill Robertson said the city's dramatic growth in the past few years has caused a subsequent increase in service needs from various departments.

"I've seen the city grow from 30,000 residents to over 100,000," said Robertson, who started his career in 1974. "With that growth, there are a lot of needs and they are constantly changing. ...

"We feel that any grant awarded to the city of Miramar will greatly enhance our service to the citizens of the city."

(source) Sun Sentinel (Marcia Freidenreich) 9-26-04