Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending March 28, 2014
Mar 31, 2014
The following is an informational update on law enforcement news, events, legislative developments and meetings relating to the Florida Police Chiefs Association community for the week ending March 28, 2014.
Click on the hyperlinks in bold type to access all information.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Florida Police Chiefs Association lobbyists, Colodny Fass& Webb.
NEWS
Emergency Guns Measure Headed to Florida House Floor
A House committee has expanded a National Rifle Association-backed measure that would allow people to carry concealed weapons during emergencies even if they don’t have a license to carry.
Rick Scott Rejects Tying Florida Highway Patrol Bonuses to Number of Tickets Written
Gov. Rick Scott flatly rejected ideas for the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to tie bonuses to police officers based on the number of tickets they write.
Senate Panel Approves “Stand Your Ground” Changes
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee voted unanimously to write some restrictions into Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense law Monday, with bipartisan support of two senators who were on opposite sides when the 2005 statute passed.
House passes “threatened use of force” bill
Don’t call them “warning shots,” bill’s sponsor says of a self-defense measure sent to the Senate.
Senate stalls red light camera ban
The Senate Transportation Committee virtually killed its chairman’s plan to unplug red light cameras Wednesday, but he said he’s not giving up.
Florida Police Won’t Talk About Their Secret Device That Tracks Your Cell Phone
Police agencies are using a device manufactured in Melbourne, Florida, to find suspects using their cell signals without asking a judge for permission.
Pharmacy fraud spreads through Florida, cheating Medicare
Pharmacy fraud has become a rampant problem spreading from Miami across much of Florida, as drug traffickers conspire with doctors and sometimes patients to cheat the Medicare system, a federal investigator told the Senate Committee on Aging.
Apopka rebuffs Florida Department of Transportation, won’t reverse yellow-light changes
Apopka city leaders lengthened by one second the duration of yellow lights at all 10 intersections monitored by red-light cameras, but the State of Florida wants that one second restored immediately, or proof that longer lights are justified.
Tampa Police Chief to stay on after retirement
Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor will remain the city’s top cop for at least one year after her retirement in May.
Miami Crime Stoppers head avoids jail time after eating anonymous tip in court
The head of the Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers program in southern Florida will not serve jail time despite being found in contempt of court last week for eating a piece of paper containing information sought by a circuit judge.
Former High Springs Police Chief Tied Up in Death Investigation
The sparring between High Springs city manager Ed Booth and former police chief Steve Holley took a dark turn this morning after the city alleged to have found missing evidence from a death investigation in Holley’s squad car.
Has Hampton been scared straight?
It’s do-or-die time in a city that has been threatened with extinction.
How Florida’s Driver’s License Suspension Policies Make Poverty Worse
A Republican lawmaker in Florida is setting his sights on reversing a policy that devastates the poor but gets little attention: suspending a person’s driver’s license. In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford gave a brief-but-brilliant master class on what criminal justice reformers call “collateral consequences.”
Florida Highway Patrol in six-state I-75 crackdown
The Florida Highway Patrol is joining law enforcement from five other states along the Interstate 75 corridor this weekend to reduce traffic fatalities.
$15 million retail theft ring in South Florida is busted, Miami-Dade state attorney says
At first glance, the men and women trolling Walgreens, CVS and Publix stores across South Florida appeared to be run-of-the-mill shoplifters.
REPORTS
Kids Doing Time for What’s Not a Crime: The Over-Incarceration of Status Offenders
From the Texas Public Policy Foundation–Status offenses are actions that would not be illegal if committed by an adult, such as running away, violations of curfew, or school truancy. By charging youth with violations of a valid court order, they can be confined for these actions. The authors of this report suggest that handling status offenders in school, in the community, or at home increases the likelihood of the child keeping pace with their studies and not associating with a deviant peer group.
Trends in Substance Use Disorders among Males Aged 18 to 49 on Probation or Parole
From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration–In 2012, an estimated 3.2 million males aged 18 to 49 were on probation, and 900,000 were on parole; the percentage of males aged 18 to 49 who reported being on probation or parole during the past 12 months remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2012 (about 5%). Rates of substance use disorders among males aged 18 to 49 on probation or parole were generally similar to rates in previous years; in 2012, 40.3% of male probationers and 38.3% of male parolees had an alcohol or illicit drug use disorder in the past year. There were few statistically significant changes in need for treatment, receipt of substance use treatment (including receipt of treatment in prison or jail), or unmet treatment need between 2002 and 2012 among male probationers and parolees aged 18 to 49.
Underground Commercial Sex Economy in Eight Major U.S. Cities
From the Urban Institute–The underground commercial sex economy (UCSE) generates millions of dollars annually, yet investigation and data collection remain under resourced. This study aimed to unveil the scale of the UCSE in eight major U.S. cities–Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. Across cities, the UCSE’s worth was estimated between $39.9 and $290 million in 2007, but decreased since 2003 in all but two cities. While almost all types of commercial sex venues-massage parlors, brothels, escort services, and street- and Internet-based prostitution-existed in each city, regional and demographic differences influenced their markets. Interviews with pimps, traffickers, sex workers, child pornographers, and law enforcement revealed the dynamics central to the underground commercial sex trade-and shaped the policy suggestions to combat it. These suggestions included cross-training drug, sex, and weapons trade investigators to better understand circuits and overlaps, offering law enforcement trainings for both victim and offender interview techniques, including identifying signs of psychological manipulation, and increasing awareness among school officials and the general public about the realities of sex trafficking to deter victimization and entry.
Advancing the Quality of Cost-Benefit Analysis for Justice Programs
From the Vera Institute of Justice–The demand for cost-benefit analyses of justice programs keeps growing, but the supply of high-quality studies has not kept pace. Analysts deal with a number of challenges, from acquiring good data to balancing the precision and accuracy of studies with their policy relevance. This white paper was developed to help guide analysts through the methodological challenges of conducting justice-related cost-benefit analyses. The paper also includes a set of principles for conducting justice-related cost-benefit analyses, a review of various evaluation methods, descriptions of the methods used to measure victim costs, and several justice-specific examples and illustrations.
What America’s Users Spend on Illegal Drugs
From the RAND Corporation–Drug users in the U.S. spend on the order of $100 billion annually on cocaine (including crack), heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine (in 2010 dollars). While this total figure has been stable over the decade, there have been important compositional shifts. From 2006 to 2010, the amount of marijuana consumed in the U.S. likely increased more than 30%, while the amount of cocaine consumed decreased by approximately 50%. These figures are consistent with supply-side indicators, such as seizures and production estimates. Methamphetamine consumption rose sharply from 2000 through the middle of the decade, and this was followed by a large decline through 2008. Heroin consumption remained fairly stable throughout the decade, although there is some evidence of an increase in the later years. For all of the drugs, total consumption and expenditures are driven by the minority of users who consume on 21 or more days each month.
From the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice–Delays in the processing of youth through the justice system can have negative results not only for the youth themselves but also for families and communities. Improving the timeliness of the justice process is far more than a technical matter for managers and judges; it is a critical part of policy and practice in ensuring the juvenile justice system fulfills its basic mission. This bulletin reviews a research effort in juvenile case processing that looked at two information sources – a nationwide sample of counties and an in depth investigation of three juvenile justice systems in the Mid-West. The researchers examined case-level data from the National Juvenile Court Data Archive, comparing trends in caseloads and case-processing times from two time periods: 1985-1994 and 1995-2004. The comparison shows that caseloads and case-processing times in juvenile courts increased during the first 10-year period but decreased during the second.
Youth Offenders: What Happens and What Should Happen
From the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice–This bulletin examines policies that affect young offenders who cross over from the juvenile to the criminal justice system. It focuses on adolescence and early adulthood, with a particular emphasis on juvenile delinquents ages 15-17 who are candidates for transitioning into the criminal justice system and young adults ages 18-24 who are already in the criminal justice system. About 200,000 people ages 24 and younger leave juvenile facilities or prisons every year.
Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Court, 2010
From the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention–In 2010, juvenile courts in the United States handled nearly 1.4 million delinquency cases that involved juveniles charged with criminal law violations. From 1985 through 1997, the number of delinquency cases climbed steadily (61%) then fell 27% from 1997 through 2010. Juvenile courts handled 17% more cases in 2010 than in 1985. This overall pattern of increase followed by decline is the result of the trends of various offense categories combined. Public order offense cases increased steadily from 1985 through 2005 (127%) and then declined 21% by 2010. This report is one of two in a series on juvenile court processing. The other report in the series is Delinquency Cases Waived to Criminal Court, 2010.
From the AARP–This report, based on a survey of 11,271 individuals nationally with 926 in Florida, describes 15 factors (behaviors, life experiences, or knowledge) that comprise an “online victim profile.” Among these factors, those most at risk had opened an e-mail from an unknown source, clicked on a pop-up ad, signed up for a free trial offer in the past week, “sometimes or often” felt personally isolated, or lost a job or “experienced a negative change in financial status” in the past two years. According to the survey, 24%, or as many as 2.7 million Florida adults age 18 or older who used the Internet, have demonstrated at least seven key risk factors.
Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009-2012 – Statistical Tables
From the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics–This report presents estimates of nonfatal violent victimization (rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault) against persons age 12 or older with disabilities from 2009 to 2012. This population experienced 1.3 million nonfatal violent crimes in 2012. In 2012, the age-adjusted rate of violent victimization for persons with disabilities (60 per 1,000 persons with disabilities) was nearly three times the rate among persons without disabilities (22 per 1,000 persons without disabilities) and was higher than for those without disabilities for both males and females. For each racial group measured, persons with disabilities had higher age-adjusted violent victimization rates than persons without disabilities in 2012. In 2012, 52% of nonfatal violent crimes against persons with disabilities involved victims who had multiple disability types.
From the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention--Juvenile arrests in 2011 decreased 11% and juvenile violent crime arrests decreased 10% over 2010. Following 10 years of declines between 1994 and 2004, juvenile arrests for Violent Crime Index offenses increased from 2004 to 2006 and then declined each year through 2011. As a result, the number of juvenile violent crime arrests in 2011 was less than any of the previous 32 years and 15% less than the previous low point in 1984.
FINAL ADOPTED RULES
Effective March 5, 2014: 6A-14.099 Failure of Florida College System Administrator or Law Enforcement Agency to Report Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect. Click here to view the complete Rule.
Effective March 5, 2014: 6E-6.001 Failure of Nonpublic College, University or School Administrator or Law Enforcement Agency to Report Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect. Click here to view the complete Rule.
Effective March 16, 2014: 63D-10.006 Termination of (Juvenile) Supervision. To view the complete Rule, click here.
Effective March 16, 2014: 63D-10.002 (Juvenile) Diversion Services. To view the complete Rule, click here.
REGULATORY HEARINGS
April 30
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing Florida Department of Law Enforcement Medical Examiners Commission
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA) announces a telephone conference call to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: April 30, 2012, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. As a part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by calling: (855)237-5206. Telephone comments will be taken by the assessment team and are limited to 10 minutes. The comments must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards.
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is scheduled for an on-site assessment that is administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Dean Register, (850)410-7244 or deanregister@fdle.state.fl.us.
May 8
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Communications
The Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Telecommunications, Standard Operating Procedures and Technical Committees of the Joint Task Force Board announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: May 8, 2012, 8:00 a.m.
PLACE: Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Terry Lee Rhondes Building, Room 242, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: To discuss operational matter to the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Nigel Shepherd, (850)414-5468.
May 9
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing–Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems (CJJIS) Council announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Headquarters, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Various topics related to the criminal justice community. Topics include, but not limited to, the Council’s strategic plan, discussion of the computerized criminal history initiative, biometric identification and other projects occurring with state and national criminal justice agencies.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Rachel Truxell, (850) 410-7116 or racheltruxell@fdle.state.fl.us
RULE DEVELOPMENT
Notice of Development of Rulemaking, Florida Department of Transportation
RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
14-65.0025: Scope, Exceptions, and Definitions
14-65.0035: Temporary Closing of State Roads Other Than Limited Access Facilities
14-65.006: Temporary Closing and Special Use of Interstate and Other Limited Access Facilities
14-65.0065: Procedures for Special Use of State Roads Including Limited Access Facilities
14-65.0075: Special Events and Filming on Limited Access Facilities
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The amendments to this rule are being made to re-organize the chapter and clarify the process for permitting the temporary closure of state roads.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: These amendments address the procedures local governments must follow in order to temporarily close state roads for special events. Filming on state roads is also addressed. A new rule is being promulgated to set forth criteria for filming and special events on limited access facilities.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 334.044(10)(a), 334.048(3), 336.045(1) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 334.044(10)(a), 336.045 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Deanna R. Hurt, Assistant General Counsel and Clerk of Agency Proceedings, Florida Department of Transportation, Office of the General Counsel, 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 58, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0458, deanna.hurt@dot.state.fl.us
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
Sunday, June 29 62nd Annual Summer Training Conference Tentative Conference Agenda Attendee Information Attendee Registration Exhibitor Registration Exhibitor Information Exhibitor Rules Booth Layout
|
|
August 18-22 Advanced Law Enforcement Executives Seminar |
|
September 22-26 Future Law Enforcement Executives Seminar |