On April 25, 2016, the Riviera Beach Police Department organized a summit in order to introduce an exciting new Crime Prevention Program to a group of community stakeholders. The program entitled, Peacekeepers, is unlike any other program implemented in Riviera Beach, and is aimed at maintaining peace in the community and reducing gun violence. This item seeks approval to utilize Law Enforcement Trust Funds in the amount of $48,906.00 to implement a Riviera Beach Chapter of Peacekeepers.
In order to kick off this crime prevention initiative, and with summer upon us, the Riviera Beach Police Department, in partnership with the Peacekeepers organization, is providing an opportunity for children, on a first-come, first-served basis, to become a Junior Peacekeeper this summer. Members of the Riviera Beach Police Department introduced the Junior Peacekeepers Concept at Inlet Grove Community High School and John F. Kennedy Middle School. The program will consist of the following training: CPR, Conflict Resolution, job training, proper handling of people/beef mediation, and more. Participating children will receive a t-shirt, ID Card, community service hours, and a trip to Tallahassee, Florida, for a tour of the State Capital and of two universities. The program also encompasses the Bridging the Gap Program and the Police Department's School Resource Officers, who will provide instruction and mentoring over the course of the camp and throughout the summer. After the completion of the summer camp, Junior Peacekeepers will remain involved to promote and maintain peace in the community.
Some of the goals of the program include: teaching youth to be good citizens, grow, develop, and improve Police/Community relations, recruit for the Police Explorer Program and for new Police Officers, establish quarterly meetings and planned community events suitable for students community service hours.
The requested budget includes transportation, t-shirts, training, meals, identification cards, camp supplies, travel expenses, and a stipend in the amount of $200.00 to each student who participates in the summer camp and completes the training. The Department can accommodate a maximum of 90 students for the summer camp.
As this new program progresses, it will eventually be introduced to our adult citizenry, where the Department hopes to establish a Chapter of 100 men and women. These men and women will receive Peacekeeper training and will spend one hour per week on the streets of the community using their presence to promote peace. Peacekeepers are identified by orange t-shirts imprinted with "Peacekeepers".
This program can be funded using Law Enforcement Trust Fund dollars. These funds may be expended upon a request by 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.