Latest news with #policeDepartment
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Pompano Beach considers breaking away from BSO to form own police department
After 26 years of law enforcement provided by the Broward Sheriff's Office, the City of Pompano Beach is considering whether to reestablish its own police department. The city is launching a feasibility study to determine if forming a local police force would better serve its needs, as costs for BSO services continue to rise. "It builds strong relationships" Tundra King, a longtime resident and business owner in Pompano Beach, supports the idea of returning to a city-run police department. "I'm definitely for going for an independent study to take a look at perhaps going back to Pompano Police Department," King said. She recalls a time when local officers knew the neighborhoods and the people in them. "I remember all the police officers that used to work for the city of Pompano and that was paramount as it relate to when things occurred in our community. I always knew I had an officer that I can call, provide information to," she said. Costs continue to climb Mayor Rex Hardin acknowledged the good work BSO is doing but said the cost has become a major concern. "BSO, they're doing a great job for us, but it's a hefty price tag," he said. City records show Pompano Beach paid $53 million to BSO for police services in 2022. That number rose to $57.5 million in 2025. The proposal for 2026 climbs to $72.8 million, which includes 28 new positions. "Public safety, it takes well over 50% of the taxes that come in every, every year, so it's important that we look at this occasionally and make sure that we're getting the bang for the buck that we really need for our residents and getting the outcomes that we really need," Hardin said. A neighboring city's experience Pembroke Park broke away from BSO and formed its own police department in 2022. Mayor Geoffrey Jacobs said while the process was far from simple, it has paid off. "Go to Costco, buy the biggest size palette of red tape you can find, and start there. It is not a simple process," Jacobs said. He said local control has made a difference in community relations and emergency response. "It was a mammoth project to build our own department. In the end, it is the best thing our city has is our own police department." According to Jacobs, the 22 officers in Pembroke Park are now well known by residents, and response times have improved significantly. Next steps BSO declined to comment, citing the early stage of the city's process. The next step will be for a committee to select a firm to conduct the feasibility study. Final approval will rest with the city commission.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- CTV News
Man arrested in wooded area of Papineau-Cameron Twp.
A man prohibited from having guns is in police custody after several firearms were seized from a home in Mattawa.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Menomonee Falls board in favor of moving funds from library to police
The Brief The Menomonee Falls Village Board passed a resolution that will allocate $300,000 from the library tax levy to the police department in 2026. It was approved unanimously. After public comment, the decision left some Menomonee Falls residents heated. MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. - Funding for the library or the police department? On Monday, May 19, the Menomonee Falls Board of Trustees passed a resolution that changes where your tax dollars go. What we know The Menomonee Falls Village Board passed a resolution that will allocate $300,000 from the library tax levy to the police department in 2026. It was approved unanimously. Last month, police chief Mark Waters told the board they are short-staffed but saw an 18% increase in serious crime compared to last year. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android That, plus the board said the library will still have a buffer when it comes to the budget. Local perspective After public comment, the decision left some Menomonee Falls residents heated. Five people spoke during the public comment, urging the board to reconsider it. But the village board said it is putting public safety first. "It's a valuable resource in this town. I can't imagine you know the budget and who is going to lose their jobs. Librarians, what services we can't offer," resident Andrew Guss said. "There is a lot of people that this library effects." The backstory It's not the first time library funding has come up at a board meeting. Back in 2023, there were rumors the library was in danger of closing after an email circulated saying the village was already planning on not funding the library in the future. Village board members at the time said that wasn't true. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "We have standards the county sets for the library and currently we are $600,000 above that minimum standards," Village President Jeremy Walz said. What's next The village president said now the library board will make its budget based on the new allocations – so it's not yet clear how the library will be impacted. The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
