BSO Scaling Back Services In Lauderdale Lakes
LAUDERDALE LAKES (CBS4) -- Changes are coming to the way the streets of Lauderdale Lakes are patrolled.
The Broward Sheriff's Office is scaling back services to the city because it is four months behind on paying the agency for police and fire protection, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
In an e-mail to his staff dated November 5th obtained by the Sun Sentinel, Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti wrote, "As a result of this financial burden, we have no choice but to scale back services to the residents of Lauderdale Lakes,"
The city reportedly owes $6 million.
In the e-mail, Sheriff Lamberti says the welfare of the residents of Lauderdale Lakes will not be compromised, but admits he has a duty to the people of Broward County to properly allocate the limited funds they have available.
The city of Lauderdale Lakes is disputing the amount of money, saying they owe BSO substantially less, roughly $2.4 million.
"Revenue reductions and the lack of collection of outstanding receivables have caused a cash-flow issue and precluded the city of Lauderdale Lakes from paying BSO in a timely manner since August 2010," City Spokesperson Monique Armbrister said in the statement. "The city has planned to remit payment and come to a contract agreement with BSO by December 2010."
Lamberti plans to close station 37 and transfer several sergeants, deputies, and Community Service Aides from their current assignments to other jobs within the department. Next week, he is also expected to cut nine law enforcement officer positions to balance shortfall.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
