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Commissioners approve six-month downtown police detail; debate grows over extending pilot to Beachside and other CRA zones
Summary
The Daytona Beach CRA approved a $36,400, six-month downtown police special-detail pilot on Nov. 19, but commissioners and residents sparred over whether similar coverage should be extended to Beachside and other CRA areas; staff scheduled a Dec. 9 workshop to develop a broader approach.
DAYTONA BEACH — The Daytona Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on Nov. 19 voted to fund a six-month Daytona Beach Police Department special-detail for downtown, authorizing $36,400 in tax-increment funds to test whether a dedicated detail increases safety and foot traffic.
The vote was unanimous, but the item prompted extended debate over program design and geography. Staff described the pilot as a downtown-focused, six-month special detail; Commissioner Perez (as referenced by staff during the meeting) and others expressed interest in running similar pilots in Beachside and Main Street CRA zones. Staff told commissioners a workshop is scheduled for Dec. 9 to examine a holistic approach and present options for multiple CRAs.
Speakers from the Beachside area urged faster action. One resident said, "Beachside needs a lot of help...we need more parking," and asked the commission to coordinate with the county to address long-standing infrastructure and business-support issues. Commissioners agreed to discuss the matter at the upcoming workshop and to consider a vote on broader coverage at a subsequent meeting.
Commissioners noted lessons from previous security pilots: a downtown security officer on foot often had to call police for incidents with slow response times, which supported the rationale for a dedicated police detail stationed in the area. Staff said the pilot's outcomes and a workshop report will inform whether additional funds or programs are needed and whether pilots should be adapted for each CRA's differing needs.
What’s next: The CRA authorized execution of documents for the downtown pilot and directed staff and police to present results and options at the Dec. 9 workshop; commissioners indicated they could take further votes in December if they choose to expand coverage.
