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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.