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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Cover PageAGENDA ITEM COVER PAGE File ID: #3798 Resolution Sponsored by: Commissioner Ken Russell A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT, MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, THE CITY OF MIAMI, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO OPPOSE THE PROVISIONS OF SENATE BILL 7026, THE "MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL PUBLIC SAFETY ACT," AS CURRENTLY DRAFTED, OR ANY SIMILAR LEGISLATION, THAT PROVIDES FOR THE ARMING OF CIVILIANS IN SCHOOLS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, AND EMPLOYEES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN. City of Miami Legislation Resolution Enactment Number: R-18-0084 City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com File Number: 3798 Final Action Date:3/8/2018 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT, MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, THE CITY OF MIAMI, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO OPPOSE THE PROVISIONS OF SENATE BILL 7026, THE "MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL PUBLIC SAFETY ACT," AS CURRENTLY DRAFTED, OR ANY SIMILAR LEGISLATION, THAT PROVIDES FOR THE ARMING OF CIVILIANS IN SCHOOLS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, AND EMPLOYEES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN. WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") recognizes and supports the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement agencies working together to enhance the safety of students and employees in public schools located throughout Miami -Dade County, including those school within the City; and WHEREAS, school violence has become an increasing concern throughout our nation; and WHEREAS, in the past year, numerous states have hastily proposed legislation to arm school personnel allowing them to carry firearms in schools in response to public outcry over the increase of gun violence in schools; and WHEREAS, there are no studies demonstrating that arming civilians in schools will decrease the risk of serious injury or death to students and school employees; and WHEREAS, all sworn law enforcement officers in Florida must take part in continual training to respond to active shooter situations and in the use of firearms in close quarters, which is a perishable skill that is easily lost without annual training of tactics and "shoot or don't shoot" scenario -based training; and WHEREAS, there is a psychological factor involved in responding to active shooter situations that law enforcement officers are vetted for during the pre -hire screening process and took an oath to protect as opposed to civilians who have not been properly vetted to ensure they are ready and mentally capable of dealing with active shooter situations; and WHEREAS, all law enforcement agencies have mandated use of force policies, including deadly force, for law enforcement officers to train, apply the concepts into practice, and be held accountable should an officer's use of force be excessive; and WHEREAS, there is a lack of governance and control measures to address armed civilians who make mistakes that cause death or injury on school grounds as opposed to law enforcement officers who are accountable for every shot fired and are held to state and federal standards; and WHEREAS, arming civilians in schools presents a significant officer safety issue for law enforcement responding to an active shooter situation in differentiating between the "good guys and the bad guys," which adds to the significant issues already inherent in close quarter situations such as "Blue on Blue" and crossfire; and WHEREAS, Congress has allocated 75 million dollars annually to the Comprehensive School Safety Initiative for researchers to examine school safety and every aspect of what might lead people to commit violence against students of all ages; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The City Commission hereby urges Governor Rick Scott, members of the Florida Legislature, the City Manager, the School Board of Miami -Dade County, and the Mayor of Miami -Dade County, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to oppose the provisions of Senate Bill 7026, the "Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act," as currently drafted, or any similar legislation, that provides for the arming of civilians in schools, including but not limited to school administrators, teachers, and employees. Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the officials named herein. Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor.' APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: ndez, City ttor ey 3/7/2018 jV Kria`Ci ndez, City Attor ey ) 4/10/2018 1 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.