The Broward Sheriff’s Office will continue providing law enforcement services in Pompano Beach after city commissioners voted to approve a three-year contract extension.
Read more Off-duty deputy charged with battery after instigated fight at bar in New Smyrna Beach
The decision comes amid an ongoing debate over whether the city should eventually establish its own municipal police department.
Residents who attended the commission meeting expressed differing views on the issue.
“The residents have invested too much money to play around with the most important thing in the city is our safety,” one resident said. “We can’t afford to chop that.”
Others argued that Pompano Beach should have greater local control over its law enforcement leadership.
“We want the right to pick our chief,” another resident said. “We don’t want to have to ask the sheriff.”
BSO has been policing Pompano Beach since 1999, and some city leaders believe the partnership should continue.
Commissioner Darlene Smith said the sheriff’s office has consistently delivered quality policing services.
“I feel BSO provides great policing for Pompano Beach,” Smith said. “And the services that we get outside of just our core group here in Pompano Beach is hard to beat.”
According to city officials, Pompano Beach’s current contract with BSO is valued at approximately $64.9 million. The proposed contract for the next fiscal year would increase to about $71 million.
Read more Recognize him? FBI releases robbery suspect photos from Miami Lakes bank
City leaders estimate that launching a new municipal police department would cost roughly $145 million, a factor that continues to weigh heavily in discussions about local control.
Still, some commissioners believe establishing a city-run police force remains a worthwhile long-term goal.
Vice Mayor Allison Fournier pointed to the city’s fire department as an example of successful local management.
“We have our own fire department here, so we have a good example of what it is like to have local control, and we do a fabulous job with that,” Fournier said. “Using that as an example too, we can kind of see a path forward of what it would be like to have our own local police department also.”
The discussion comes as local governments across Florida evaluate future spending priorities amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to reduce property taxes, a move that could affect municipal revenues and funding decisions.
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said BSO would support the city if commissioners ultimately decide to create their own police department.
“If you decide that’s the path you are going to take the city on, you have our support,” Tony said. “We will make sure we do it the right way, and we will provide the transitional services that are needed.”
For now, city officials say any move toward establishing a municipal police department would take time and additional planning. Meanwhile, BSO will continue patrolling Pompano Beach under the extended agreement.
Earlier this year, Deerfield Beach’s commission voted to part ways with BSO.
During the meeting, several residents spoke, many of them opposing a move away from the Broward Sheriff’s Office. With a 4-1 vote, the decision was made to part ways and create their own police and fire departments.
Read more ‘All I wanted was to survive’: Hialeah woman who was stabbed 34 times speaks