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Council reviews MOU with BSO to boost sworn‑officer coverage at parks and sports events
Summary
Parks staff and BSO representatives discussed a memorandum of understanding to ensure more consistent sworn‑officer presence at youth athletic activities and special events, citing past difficulty filling voluntary details and limits of private security; the proposal aims to provide proactive on‑site prevention rather than reactive response.
Parks staff and the Broward Sheriff's Office appeared before the commission to discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding that would improve law‑enforcement coverage at youth athletic events and special events.
Vince Mullen, assistant director of parks and human services, said the city previously relied on private security and the county’s detail office but that those options proved insufficient because private guards often had to call BSO and the detail office sometimes lacked enough officers. "We found that they were more or less... limited to the duties they could do," Mullen said of private security, adding the MOU would allow BSO to staff events in a way that provides preventive coverage.
Captain Phillips, the district commander, told commissioners the city’s athletic activities occur during some of the county’s highest call‑volume periods, and having sworn officers on site yields faster, on‑scene response and deterrence. Commissioners generally supported the concept and asked staff and BSO to refine rate and staffing details; staff said they will meet with the finance director and the captain to finalize cost and operational arrangements.
