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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-7915 The Parents Police and Preacher Program Sponsored by: Commissioner D. Johnson RESOLUTION NO. 09-7915 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,FLORIDA,EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PARENTS, POLICE AND PREACHER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Parents, Police and Preacher program ("PPP")has approached the City of Opa-locka("City") seeking support for the establishment of a community service program structured as an alternative to incarceration; and WHEREAS, the goal of the program is to assist state and local government in reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities while providing work and skill transfer opportunities for eligible candidates; and WHEREAS, the program will be designed to provide community service work activity for non-violent, county adjudicated offenders; and WHEREAS,Commissioner Dorothy("Dottie")Johnson has proposed that the City support the PPP community service program; and WHEREAS,the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka("City Commission")recognizes the importance of the developing alternative options to incarceration that will help benefit the community and desires to express its support for the establishment of the PPP community service program. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA: Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference. Resolution No. 0 9—7 91 5 Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka hereby expresses its support for the Parents,Police and Preacher("PPP")program and its establishment of a community service program structured as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent, county adjudicated offenders. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 9 day of SEPTEMBER , 2009. Ay_ JO E r H L. ELLEY i AY 1\R Attest: Approved as to form and legal sufficiency: , I ,, ,i Deborah S. Irby Burnadette NoriisAWeeks City Clerk City Attorney Moved by: JOHNSON Seconded by: TAYLOR Commission Vote: 4-0 Commissioner Holmes: OUT OF ROOM Commissioner Johnson: YES Commissioner Tydus: YES Vice-Mayor Taylor: YES Mayor Kelley: YES QP-LOp11'4, 0� f0 .s F.r O n E 92 0 44 Az,o RA T ? Memorandum To: Mayor Joseph L. Kelley Vice Mayor Myra L. Taylor Commissioner Timothy Imes Commissioner Rose dus Commissioner Dori" y"5ottie"Johnson From: Bryan K. Finp' , erim City Manager Date: August t •0' RE: Pa - , s, Poi' e and Preacher Program Description: The above referenced program is seeking a resolution of support from the City of Opa- locka's Commission to establish a community service program structured as an alternative to incarceration. This program will be designed to provide community service work activity for non-violent county adjudicated offenders. The goal is to assist state and local government to reduce overcrowding in our correction facilities while providing work and skill transfer opportunities for eligible candidates. Financial Impact: None Implementation Timeline: To be determined. Legislative History: None Recommendation: Staff recommends approval. Analysis: Miami-Dade County's current jail system is overcrowded. Additionally, many non-violent offenders, especially young men and women (ages 18 — 26), receive no redeeming benefit from incarceration. In many instances, this population group faces the possibility of repeating their offenses due to being victims of their environment. More often than not, prisons are training grounds for career criminals. It is wise public policy to develop alternative options for this non-violent population and intervene early to rehabilitate this population. 1 The Parents, Police and Preacher program not only offers a non-incarceration community service as an alternative to jail but has the potential to provide access to job training and education to eligible participants. Community Service Activities would include but not be limited to the following: • Neighborhood clean-up and beautification (i.e. landscaping, etc.) and foreclosed property maintenance. Staff supports this Resolution supporting a Community Service Program for non-violent offenders as adjudicated by the courts. Our recommendation is based on the following: 1. It is a good public policy to promote community services linked to job training and education as an alternative to incarceration. 2. It is a good public policy to promote community service activities in communities and neighborhoods that will benefit from these activities. 3. It is good public policy to promote strategies that will seek to reduce prison populations thus reducing costs. Thank you. /ar End of Memorandum 2