The city of Pompano Beach is currently weighing the costs and benefits of continuing its law enforcement services with the Broward Sheriff’s Office or revitalizing its own police force. According to the Sun Sentinel, the city has experienced a noticeable increase in costs over the years, with the price tag for services from the Broward Sheriff’s Office escalating from $53 million in fiscal year 2022 to a projected $72,817,524 for the coming year.
During the recent city commission meeting, Vice Mayor Alison Fournier acknowledged the hefty sum spent on the Sheriff’s Office, expressing a desire for data to support the decision whether to stay or leave the arrangement. Despite her satisfaction with the services rendered, the consistent rise in costs posed a concern. She was quoted in the Sun Sentinel saying, “It’s always good to find out the answer because we do spend a lot of money with BSO.” Reflecting on the need for a cost-benefit analysis, she added, “I’d like to be able to have some data to back that up” if it’s true that staying with the Sheriff’s Office is more expensive in the long run.
Aiming for a comprehensive evaluation, the Pompano Beach commission has tasked the city manager with hiring a consultant. According to Local 10, this consultant will compare the Broward County Sheriff’s Office services with those of other similar municipalities, and present performance metrics along with recommendations on service levels…