The Police Department seeks approval from the City Council to appropriate $10,000.00 from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for donation to the Riviera Beach Education Scholarship Program, and $8,000 to help sponsor the 31st National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community.
In 1998, the Riviera Beach City Council established the City of Riviera Beach Education Scholarship Program to encourage City residents to further their education. The program initially provided ten (10) $500.00 scholarships which were funded out of the Police Department's Law Enforcement Trust Fund. In 2001, the scholarship award was increased from $500.00 to $1,000.00 per recipient.
The Scholarship Program is administered by the City's Education Advisory Committee. Applications are accepted between February and Mid-May each year. The Scholarship Application Review Committee, which begins meeting in mid April, is comprised of the Education Advisory Committee and School District Personnel. Each application is reviewed by three (3) committee members. Qualifying applicants are ranked based upon academic accomplishment, community service, and need.
While most scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen, the Riviera Beach Scholarship Program awards scholarships to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. In order to receive consideration, applicants must be a permanent resident of Riviera Beach, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and enrollment status must be full time. All sections of the applications must be completed in full and all required documents must be attached.
In 2010 and 2011, the City Council had funded a scholarship award for every qualified applicant.
Between 1998 and 2012, the program has awarded scholarships totaling $254,000.00.
In a research brief on “Education and Public Safety” from Justice Policy Institute, researchers have found that increased investments in quality education can have a positive public safety impact. Significant findings include:
1. Graduation rates were associated with positive public safety outcomes.
2. States that had higher levels of educational attainment also had crime rates lower than the national average.
3. States with higher college enrollment rates experienced lower violent crime rates than states with lower college enrollment rates.
4. States that made bigger investments in higher education saw better public safety outcomes.
It is the Police Department’s position that children, who continue their commitment to education, by attending college, will limit the likelihood of their future delinquency and victimization.
Additionally, staff recommends the appropriation of $8,000.00 to co-sponsor the 31st National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community, as well as facilitate the efforts of the Riviera Beach Youth Empowerment Program to allow youth to attend and participate in this three-day event. Funds would be used to help with registration fees, travel costs, hotel expenses for three (3) nights. adult chaperones, and other related expenses.
The 31st National Preventing Crime in the Black Community Conference is a collaborative effort sponsored by Attorney General Pam Bondi to foster communication and action among practitioners through the sharing of innovative ideas and prevention strategies that have been successful in the black community. A major component of the program will be directed toward alternatives to violence among our young people. The agenda is designed to showcase successful programs and promote a positive exchange of ideas on the subject. Over 1300 people attended last year in Jacksonville.
The annual conference hosts concerned citizens (adults and teens) and professionals from law enforcement, juvenile justice, corrections, victim services, educational institutions, local governments.
The expenditure of Law Enforcement Trust Fund dollars is permissible for this effort and consistent with State and Federal Laws. This project can be funded using Law Enforcement Trust Fund dollars. These funds may be expended upon the request of the Chief of Police to the governing body of the municipality, accompanied by a written certification that the request complies with the provisions of Florida State Statute 932.7055.
The Florida State Statute provides that Law Enforcement Trust Funds shall be used for ..."crime prevention, safe neighborhoods...prevention programs or for law enforcement purposes, which include defraying the cost of protracted or complex investigations, (and) providing additional equipment. The proceeds and interest may not be used to meet normal operating expenses of the law enforcement agency."
This item serves as written certification that this request complies with Florida State Statute 932.7055.