Board requests police presentation after questions about CRA-funded community policing unit and donated office space

Board members asked staff to invite the Bradenton Police Department to the next CRA meeting to explain the CRA-funded community policing unit’s activities, vehicle purchases and the recent move of unit offices into donated private space.

Miss Moore said she was surprised the board had not been informed of the unit’s office location and suggested CRA members have a role in oversight when CRA funds are used. "I just... I don't like being surprised if someone comes up and says, 'By the way, your police officers... you don't know,'" Miss Moore said.

Staff said the community policing position is defined by statute and that officers funded through the CRA are permitted to perform standard police functions and community-focused activities such as patrols, neighborhood watch support, and problem-solving projects. "When we hire a community police officer, they're allowed to do just about everything that a police officer can do," staff said. The transcript also records that the CRA funded vehicles for the unit; board members asked whether the CRA had input into vehicle selection and how vehicles are configured for use.

Miss Coker and other members asked for clarification about donated office space at a jewelry-location site; staff said the space was donated and the CRA did not pay rent, and agreed to ask police administration to present procurement and usage details, including how CRA funds are allocated and reported.

Next steps: staff will invite police administration to present at a future board meeting with documentation on the unit’s budget, vehicles purchased with CRA funds, and office arrangements.