Resolution 2024-32878 RESOLUTION NO.. 2024-32878
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE
APPROVAL OF A ONE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM, AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION FOR
WOMEN AT ITS JULY 2023 MEETING, FOR THE CITY TO
PURCHASE DRUG DETECTION CARDS, IN THE APPROXIMATE
AMOUNT OF $5,000, TO BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE CITY DURING
HIGH IMPACT PERIODS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND HOTELS.
WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Commission for Women passed a motion at their July 2023
meeting urging the City to purchase and distribute date rape drug detection cards at the City's
discretion; and
• WHEREAS, following the success of the Bar Watch Program in the City of Fort Lauderdale,
the Miami Beach Police Department, along with the City's Parks & Recreation and Tourism &
Culture Departments, have researched the matter and agree that a community awareness initiative
to coincide with Spring Break and/or Memorial Day Weekend activities could yield positive
awareness-raising outcomes among visitors and tourists to the City; and
WHEREAS, persons unknowingly ingesting incapacitating drugs, that have been
surreptitiously slipped into their drinks, are easier targets for predators seeking to commit sexual
and/or economically driven crimes on unsuspecting victims of all ages and sexes which crimes
have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial effects; and
WHEREAS, the City has identified a bulk vendor of customizable drinks coasters and
cards that utilize a technology which, upon contact with a laced beverage, will change color by
detecting the incapacitating drugs Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Ketamine; and
WHEREAS, the City would like to explore engaging and/or partnering with area hospitality
and entertainment businesses to display and/or distribute the cards and/or coasters, over the
course of a year, in a manner like Fort Lauderdale; and
WHEREAS, the City Administration desires to potentially disseminate the cards at large
events and/or high impact periods, such as Spring Break and/or Memorial Day Weekend which
would require the acquisition of approximately 5,000 personalized cards (as is standard for large
scale events) at a discounted price of approximately $5,000; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the recommendation of the Finance and Economic Resiliency
Committee, the cards will contain a disclaimer that their detection capability is limited to GHB and
Ketamine, and that the cards do not test for any other drugs or potentially harmful substances; and
WHEREAS, the City will evaluate the success of the Pilot Program and report back to the
City Commission upon its conclusion.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission
hereby authorize the approval of a one-year Pilot Program, as recommended by the Miami Beach
Commission for Women at its July 2023 meeting, for the City to purchase drug detection cards, in
the approximate amount of $5,000, to be distributed by the City during High Impact Periods and
Special Events, in partnership with local businesses and hotels.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 31 day of :c,it47 , 2024.
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ATTEST: �4_/
FEB o 6 L��'i J Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael ranado, City Clerk �igrl c
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ss
(Sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez) i IN(oAP ORATEa
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine1"<1 1,, ---
• APPROVED AS TO
FORM& LANGUAGES
&FOR EXECUTION
City AttorneyMn f D
Resolutions-C7 H
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: January 31, 2024
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A ONE-
YEAR PILOT PROGRAM, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN AT ITS JULY2023 MEETING, FOR THE CITY
TO PURCHASE DRUG DETECTION CARDS, IN THE
APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $5,000, TO BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE CITY
DURING HIGH IMPACT PERIODS AND SPECIAL EVENTS,
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND HOTELS.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Commissioner Laura Dominguez placed a referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency
Committee (FERC) on the July 26, 2023 City Commission Meeting agenda to discuss the
Miami Beach Commission for Women's motion at their July 14, 2023 meeting regarding the
purchase of date rape drug detection cards and a potential plan for their distribution throughout
the city. The motion is as follows:
In order to help reduce the number of rapes that occur in the City of Miami Beach the
Miami Beach Commission for Women urges the City Commission to direct the City of
Miami Beach to purchase Date Rape Drug Detection cards and distribute them as they
see fit.
Motion Passage: Unanimously(16-0, 2 members absent)
The item was heard by the FERC on October 16, 2023 and was referred'back to commission
with a unanimous positive recommendation to adopt and implement the pilot program for one
year and report back to the Commission.
ANALYSIS
The acquisition of "date rape" drug detection cards for distribution is a community awareness
initiative to provide a mechanism by which unsuspecting victims can determine if their drinks
have been tampered with. The cards or drink coasters utilize a technology that upon
encountering a laced beverage will change color and detect Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
and Ketamine, two drugs often used to incapacitate individuals and commit sexual crimes, such
as date rape.
Page 580 of 2002
While rape due to GHB and Ketamine incapacitation is not particularly widespread within the
City of Miami Beach, drug detection cards could be a valuable tool through which to further
support the prevention efforts by the City and the Miami Beach Police Department(MBPD).
Preliminary research has identified a potential sole source vendor that prices their bulk products
with a 25%discount between$2,250 and $2,400 for 2,000 pieces. (Print material for large scale
events in the City normally begin at 5,000 pieces.)The cards can be personalized with logos
and colors preferences as well as drug disclaimers to meet the needs of the City. Potential
deployment contingent on procurement processes could be slated as part of the Spring Break
and/or Memorial Day Weekend activations by Good Will Ambassadors and the City in
conjunction with entertainment, hotel and business improvement districts and associations.
If adopted, the Parks & Recreation Department is prepared to work with MBPD on identifying
locations and assisting with the distribution of drug detection cards at City parks.
In addition, the Tourism & Culture Department (TCD), regularly communicates with the Special
Events and Hospitality industries and over the course of the year would collaborate with
producers and hotel management to determine feasibility of displaying and/or distributing the
drug detection materials with a goal of reaching as many attendees and hotel guests as
possible.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Approximately$5,000 per large scale event. The Police Department will provide the funding for
the procurement of the cards during the pilot phase.
CONCLUSION
The distribution of drug detection products in the form of cards and/or coasters has as a goal to
raise awareness and decrease victimization of sexual crimes through prevention. While it may
be difficult to measure the number of cases prevented,the cards would not only act as a form of
protection by potential victims, but also as a deterrent to potential predators. This in turn would
reduce opportunities for date rape and other crimes to occur.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item,pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Strategic Connection
Neighborhoods-Work with partners to address regional safety issues.
Legislative Tracking
Police
Page 581 of 2002
Sponsor
Commissioner Dominguez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Resolution - Drug Detection Cards
❑ LTC 319-2023 Motion from the Miami Beach Commission for Women
Page 582 of 2002
RECEIVED
MIA
AA [� C /� JUL 14 2023
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC No._
319-2023 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk 7--Al
DATE: July 14, 2023
SUBJECT: Motion from the Miami Beach Commission for Women
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide you with the motions made at the Miami
Beach Commission for Women meeting held on July 11, 2023. For any questions or
,comments please contact Monica Matteo-Salinas, committee liaison.
Members present: Amani Ayers, Dr. Louise DePodesta, Mirielle Enlow, Faye Goldin, Janis
Good, Francinelee Hand, Barbara Kaufman, Charlotte Libov, Dr. Lynette Long, Liliam Lopez,
Josephine Manning, Elizabeth Resnick, Debra Schwartz, Trisha Sindler, Merle Shama, and
Marjorie York.
Members Absent: Pamela Mayer, Pam Rodgers
Motion Made by Louise De Podesta
Seconded by Jo Manning
The Miami Beach Commission for Women urges the City Commission to support the County's
effort to place Human Trafficking signage which encourages trafficked individuals to call the
National Human Trafficking Hotline. Posters should be placed around the City in locations to
include, but not limited to, libraries, bus stops, parks, and City buildings.
Motion Passage: Unanimously -
Motion Made by Amani Ayers
Seconded by Barbara Kaufman
In order to help reduce the number of rapes that occur in the City of Miami Beach the Miami
Beach Commission for Women urges the City Commission to direct the City of Miami Beach
to purchase Date Rape Drug Detection cards and distribute them as they see fit.
Motion Passage: Unanimously
The Miami Beach Commission for Women urges the Mayor and Commission to support the
above requests.
Page 585 of 2002