Law Enforcement Liaison Team

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

As a result of the collapsed housing market, Hillsborough County faced drastic budget reduction for fiscal year 2009-2010, forced job cuts and slashing the Code Enforcement’s Budget by 25 percent. The department was slated to lose more than 10 positions—a devastating loss in terms of service to citizens. A unique solution was required to procure alternative funding that did not rely on local tax dollars in order to sustain jobs and service. Working as partners, the county’s Criminal Justice Liaison and the Code Enforcement Department Director applied for and received a federal Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant. The grant funded the Code’s new Law Enforcement Liaison Team (LEL) to partner with federal, state and local law enforcement in the fight to reduce and deter crime in Hillsborough County. It is the first such team in the state of Florida. The LEL approach increased benefits to citizens through gang awareness and prevention, graffiti abatement and anti-drug enforcement. The LEL team focuses on correcting code violations in areas determined by law enforcement to be at risk due to neglect and waning property conditions. In areas surrounding schools, playgrounds and other places where children congregate, the team aims to create a safer environment. The LEL saved five positions within the Code Enforcement Department that had been slated for elimination. The stimulus grant enabled the Code Enforcement Department to save jobs while continuing to take steps to prevent crime, especially gang activities, through routine and proactive enforcement of county code ordinances.