Commission approves BSO amendment to add school‑zone enforcement and shift staffing model

The commission unanimously approved a first amendment to the city's law‑enforcement services agreement with the Broward Sheriff's Office to add formal authority for speed detection enforcement in school zones and to reconfigure staffing so that each patrol shift has two sergeants.

Tanya Sterling, assistant to the city manager, described the amendment and Captain Franks of BSO explained the staffing rationale: converting six Community Service Aide (CSA) positions into two sergeant slots will increase street supervision for 14‑deputy shifts and create more on‑the‑road oversight; the reallocation is projected to save roughly $115,000 in contract costs.

Commissioner Crystal Patterson praised the review and said the change should increase visible patrols and supervision. Vice Mayor Bolton and other commissioners asked operational questions about CSAs and visibility; BSO commanded that the adjustment would not reduce frontline patrol deputies and that some CSAs perform administrative desk duties.

The amendment also includes a provision to allow BSO to review and issue citations for school‑zone speed violations; those services will be provided with existing staff under the amended scope. The measure passed 5–0.