Police Vehicle

The City of Florida City is the southernmost municipality in Miami- Dade County and the gateway to the Florida Keys with a population of approximate 12,735. As the Florida City community continues to grow, so too do the demands placed on its law enforcement. Crime rates have risen, leading to a need for updated and reliable police vehicles to keep up with the pace of modern law enforcement. The City of Florida City Police Department has an aging fleet of patrol vehicles, which has limited the Department’s ability to effectively patrol high crime areas in the community and establish a visible presence in the neighborhoods and business areas.  Approximately 30% of the vehicles in the fleet are well over ten years old.  The use of a limited amount of vehicles has resulted in an increase in maintenance costs as patrol cars breakdown due to excessive use.  Adding a new marked cruiser would allow the department to increase its visibility in the community, deter crime and also expand the department’s ability to respond quickly to emergency calls.  

One of the main challenges is cost. Upgrading the current fleet of police vehicles is not a cheap task, and the city's budget is already stretched thin. There is also the issue of finding a vehicle that can meet the specific needs of the police force. Florida City is a diverse community, with urban areas and vast expanses of rural land, which means the vehicles must be able to perform in a variety of environments. They must be fast, maneuverable, and able to handle any weather conditions that might arise.

Another issue is safety. Police officers often need to pursue suspects at high speeds and in dangerous conditions. They must be protected from the risks that come with such pursuits, so the new vehicles must be equipped with the latest safety features and technology to help reduce the risk of accidents.

Furthermore, there is also the issue of reliability. Law enforcement officers cannot afford to have their vehicles break down while they are in pursuit of a criminal or responding to an emergency. They need vehicles that are rugged, dependable, and require minimal maintenance.

Despite these challenges, the need for improved police vehicles in the Florida City community is undeniable. The city's police force must have the tools necessary to effectively protect the community. A new police vehicle is a much needed asset for the Florida City Police Department because it will reduce vehicle maintenance cost and increase the Department’s ability to participate with neighboring police department in joint operations against crimes in the community.  Our community recognizes the importance of keeping our police force equipped with the best possible resources to do their jobs, and with this grant, we can ensure that they have the vehicles they need to keep us all safe. By investing in new police vehicles, we are investing in the future of our city, its residents, and providing the community reassurance of police presence in their neighborhoods.