Commerce, Science, Justice (Page 1)

Proposed Recipient:              The ARISE Foundation

 

Amount of Request:               $1,000,000.00

Total Project Cost:                 $1,000,000.00

 

The ARISE Intervention-Re-entry program provides Florida Juvenile Justice Staff on a state wide basis with in depth training and specialized ARISE Life Management Skills lessons to conduct guided group discussions with incarcerated high-risk youth. Topics include anger and conflict management, how to get a job and keep it, why violence, substance abuse and gangs will wreck their lives and other vital subjects. The ARISE program has been developed so it is easily absorbed and understood by youth reading at very low levels often suffering from trauma and emotional problems.

 

As a result of the comprehensive training, correctional staff who have never had to "stand and deliver" in front of a group often become more interested and motivated to take an active role in guiding these troubled youth away from a life of crime. The staff then conducts interactive ARISE groups with the youth in their charge. When the youth learn positive life and social skills, this information enables them to make better life choices, reduces the rate of recidivism, and decreases the rate of juvenile crime.

 

 

The ARISE Intervention-Re-entry program provides Florida Juvenile Justice Staff on a statewide basis with in depth training and specialized Life Management Skills lessons to conduct guided group discussions with incarcerated high-risk youth.

 

In addition, due to the inherent problems juvenile justice staff have in dealing with often resentful and violent juvenile offenders held under lock and key, ARISE has designed five additional days of training focused on those who work in this crisis environment, managing difficult juvenile populations. The ARISE -CHOICES training reduces stress by providing tools needed to defuse violence, conflict and angry outbursts in a peaceful manner.

 

Mounting evidence suggests that sustained participation in structured, group activities is key to healthy development and positive outcomes for troubled youth.

 

A recent study by Professor Mark A. Cohen, Vanderbilt University, December 2007, demonstrates why it is so important to target high-risk youth. “Year by Year Costs Imposed by High Risk Offenders” Cohen shows that the cost of one offender with at least six police contacts from childhood to age 32 totals $3,172,998 in 2007 dollars, In other words, saving one child saves taxpayers more than 3 million. By comparison, the ARISE program costs $1.70 per hour per youth. Stopping the cycle of crime and gang violence by helping this population learn the skills necessary to succeed in life is an investment in our children and in our communities, with the potential to save millions of dollars tomorrow.

 

Since 1986, ARISE has trained over 5, 800 certified Life Skills instructors who have gone on to teach over 4 million documented hours of evidenced –based life skills lessons.

 

Proposed Recipient:             City of Doral, FL

 

Amount of Request:              $1,000,000.00

Total Project Cost:                $2,000,000.00

 

The City of Doral is seeking $1,000,000 in federal funding to be used for the creation of a city-wide public safety & surveillance system, to be managed and monitored by the City’s Police Department. 

 

The City of Doral Police Department serves the public safety and traffic needs of the rapidly-growing population and vibrant community. With the City’s current population nearing 40,000 residents (and quickly growing), City of Doral public officials created a police department in 2008 to deal with the traffic influx and public safety concerns that come with any burgeoning city. It is anticipated that the City’s current 71% growth rate will increase the population to 65,000 residents by the year 2012. 

 

Because of the significant business presence in the City, commercial theft is a concern for the Police Department. The City seeks to install a closed circuit video system throughout the area in order to monitor areas of high commercial theft, as well as everyday street activity. The City of Doral Police Department aims to provide the highest quality of service and protection, as well as the highest level of safety.

 

 

The goal of this system is to provide added protection against commercial theft and increased security for all of Doral’s residents and visitors. This project is estimated to create six new jobs in the City of Doral.

 

Proposed Recipient:              City of Hialeah, FL

 

Amount of Request:               $1,000,000.00

Total Project Cost:                 $7,000,000.00

 

The City of Hialeah police department’s current radio system does not allow for radio interoperability among other law enforcement agencies, especially important during times of statewide response to natural disasters, domestic security incidents or multi-agency jurisdictional public safety efforts. The XPS radio system would bridge the current gap and achieve interoperability with the State of Florida by replacing and upgrading fixed end, portable and mobile radio communication equipment.

 

 

This federal funding for the City of Hialeah would allow for radio interoperability among other law enforcement agencies, especially important during times of statewide response to natural disasters, domestic security incidents or multi-agency jurisdictional public safety efforts.

 

Proposed Recipient:              City of Homestead, FL

 

Amount of Request:               $500,000.00

Total Project Cost:                 $2,000,000.00

 

Homestead is requesting funding to install a city-wide Wi-Fi network that would enhance the City’s public safety and emergency services communications. The City proposes to install 24 to 40 access points per mile throughout the 14 square miles of the City, which would serve as a supplement to Homestead’s existing wired network, and would greatly enhance the City’s ability to provide more efficient and cost effective services.

 

The City anticipates the total cost of this project to be approximately $2 million. However the project could be implemented in phases, with the first phase costing approximately $500,000 and would create approximately 10 jobs in the local economy.

 

 

This project will result in increased efficiency in public service and reduce response times to emergencies by providing easy access and communication to multiple agencies and response teams simultaneously. The use of wireless technology will also minimize exposure to dangerous weather during storm events and minimize the likelihood of loss of service during and after storm events.

 

In addition to investment in public safety preparedness, deployment of city-wide Wi-Fi technology would spur economic development and e-commerce by aiding businesses and citizens by providing low cost internet access and services, which would also serve as a key component in bridging the digital divide for those citizens and businesses which lack internet access.

 

Proposed Recipient:              Collier County, FL

 

Amount of Request:               $1,500,000.00

Total Project Cost:                 $10,000,000.00          

 

Collier County requests Department of Justice Appropriations funding to support the acquisition of public safety equipment for the County’s new Emergency Services Center.

 

Outdated public safety technology equipment is hindering the ability of local law public safety officials to work effectively. Funds are needed to support the acquisition of public safety technology equipment for the Collier County Emergency Services Center (ESC), which is being constructed on a 20-acre site on Lely Cultural Parkway. The ESC will be approximately 130,000 square feet, four stories and includes a communications tower. Occupants will include the Emergency Management staff, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Information Technology, Sheriff’s Substation and 911 Center, and Clerk of Courts. Technology needs include GIS and improved interoperable communications.

 

 

The new equipment in the ESC will allow the law enforcement and emergency services personnel in the County to adequately respond in the event of an emergency.

 

Proposed Recipient:              Miami-Dade County, FL

 

Amount of Request:               $1,000,000.00

Total Project Cost:                 $5,000,000.00

 

The funding for this project would be used for the creation of a mortgage fraud task force national model to train law enforcement individuals in those identified communities which represent the ten (10) highest concentrated areas affected by mortgage fraud. The Miami-Dade County MFTF will serve as a national model based on its proven performance. The national model will be coordinated by Miami-Dade County and administered by the United States Department of Justice.

 

 

The anticipated benefits include a more effective process of dealing with and prosecuting mortgage fraud in Miami-Dade County and nationwide, and eventually, a decrease in the occurrence of mortgage fraud.

This project has the support of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, and the Director of the County’s Police Department (MDPD).