Resolution 2025-33902 2025-33902
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY
AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALJTYOF LIFE COMMITTEE,AT ITS JUNE 9,2025 MEETING,
DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO DISCUSS EXPANDING THE MIAMI BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT K9 UNIT TO INCLUDE DRUG DETECTION DOGS.
WHEREAS,at the May 21,2025, City Commission Meeting, the Mayorand City Commission
approved a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC")
to discuss expanding the Miami Beach Police Department K9 Unit to include drug detection dogs;
and
WHEREAS, the item was subsequently heard at the July 9, 2025 PSNQLC meeting and
moved to the full Commission with a favorable recommendation to expand on the proactive unit that
can serve dual purpose without a budget impact; and
WHEREAS, the City's status as a host for numerous world-renown events ensures that
demand for K9 Explosive Ordnance Detection ("EOD"),which refers to the identification, location,
and disposal of explosive devices, sweeps remain at an all-time high; and
WHEREAS,the Miami Beach Police Department's("MBPD")K9 Unit consists of one(1)drug
detection dog, one (1) therapy dog, and seven (7) active dual-certified teams certified in both
apprehension and EOD; and
WHEREAS, it would be optimal to assign passive-alert narcotics detection dogs to a unit
within the Criminal Investigations Division ("CID")such as the Strategic Enforcement Team ("SET")
or Strategic Investigation Squad ("SIS") rather than assign them to the Patrol K9 Unit itself due to
passive-alert narcotics detection dogs' ability to function safely near civilians unlike their
apprehension-trained counterparts; and
WHEREAS,while the K9s themselves do not incur costs if donated by the Miami Beach K9
Knights, the total approximate cost for Year One to certify and maintain each K9 is$82,698; and
WHEREAS, these costs are not currently funded within the DepartmenYs budget.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,FLORIDA,accepting the recommendation of the Public Safeiy
and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee,at its Jufy 9, 2025 meeting, discussing the expansion
of the Miami Beach Police Department K9 Unit to include drug detection dogs.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 3 day of . , 2025. �
ATTEST:
����-- , Steven Meiner, Mayor
, � ;<<a.
Rafa I E. Granado, City Clerk
S onsored b Ma or Steven Meiner ���;�,�„���,,, APPROVED AS TO
p Y Y FORM & LANGUAGE
_���"..........:4�;,,,,,
�� �f ���'�--,, FOR EXECUTION
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez :' ::^�� . . 1
iucoa� oRarE�.` '�" �� � Z-�" Z{
,"�2%�� �L' .;^�= � / :)
.��
'�-���.-�• ••;���= City Attorney Dote
C'�...2�^'
Resolutions - R7 X
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE: September 3, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS
JUNE 9, 2025 MEETING, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO DISCUSS
EXPANDING THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT K9 UNIT TO INCLUDE
DRUG DETECTION DOGS.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission accept the recommendation of
the Public Safety and Neighborhood �uality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) and the acquisition of
a K-9 specifically trained for passive-alert drug detection be considered for the benefit of the Miami
Beach Police Department, City residents, and visitors.
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
At the May 21, 2025 City Commission Meeting, at the request of Mayor Steven Meiner, the Mayor
and City Commission approved a referral (C4 U)to the PSNQLC to discuss expanding the Miami
Beach Police Department K9 Unit to include drug detection dogs.
The item was heard at the July 9, 2025 PSNQLC meeting and moved to ihe full Commission with
a favorable recommendation to expand on the proactive unit that can serve dual purpose without
a budget impact for the acquisition of the K9.
ANALYSIS
The Miami Beach Police Department's (MBPD) K9 Unit currently consists of one (1) drug
detection dog, one (1) therapy dog, and seven (7) active dual-certified teams certified in both
apprehension and Explosive OrdnancP Detection (EOD)which refers to the identification, location
and disposal of explosive devices. Each dual-certified team is composed of one handler officer
and one trained K9.
The City's status as a host for numerous world-renown events to include the South Beach Wine
8 Food Festival, A�t Week and Art Basel, the Air & Sea and boat shows, antique and jewelry
shows, F1 events, High Holy Days, select marathons, and Secret Service dignitary visits as well
as local government meetings ensure that demand for K9 EOD sweeps remains at an all-time
high.
Narcotics-trained K9s have historically been utilized by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID)
for targeted narcotics investigations. These K9 teams, however, ideally aim to use what are known
as passive-alert dogs which refers to dogs that have not been certified in patrol or apprehension
1402 of 1750
work. The role of the passive-alert dogs is to detect and help locate narcotics, not actively engage
resisting subjects. Therefore, if passive-alert narcotics detection dogs are acquired, rather than
assign them to the Patrol K9 Unit itself, it would be optimal to assign the dogs to a unit within CID,
such as the Strategic Enforcement Team (SET) or Strategic Investigation Squad (SIS), due to
their ability to function safely near civilians, unlike their apprehension-trained counterparts.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The passive-alert narcotics K9s do not train alongside the patrol-certified teams. While the K9s
themselves do not incur costs if donated by the Miami Beach K9 Knights, if a decision is made to
ce�tify a K9 team in narcotics detection, additional expenses will be incurred. These would include
at a minimum:
• The purchase of training aids and equipment used to hide the aids (to ensure separation
from current EOD materials):
� Narcotics school: $5,000
� Training narcotics: $600
U Narcotics safe: $800
�; Equipment needed: $300
• Medical care: (Additional costs may be required in case of injury or illness}
o Introductory vet bills and vaccines: $700
■ Annual wellness visit and vaccinations total: $512
• Feeding and home care:
o Home kennel: $4,500
o Annual dog food: $1,600
• K9 (if not provided by Miami Beach K9 Knights): $15,000
• K9 retrofitted police vehicle: $69,198
Total approximate costs for Year One for at least one K9: $82,698
• (If K9 is acquired by MBPD: $97,698)
These additional costs are not currently funded wittiin the DepartmenYs budget.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission accept the
recommendation of the PSNQLC to consider augmenting the Police DepartmenYs Patrol K9s with
passive-alert drug detection dogs. Through this potential acquisition, the Police Department will
be able to expand dedicated narcotics enforcement efforts while not diminishing its ability to
conduct vital EOD detection and subject apprehensions. The funding for the additional costs
would have to be identified during a future budget discussion.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Proiect?
No No
1403 of 1750
Was this Aqenda Item initiallv requested bv a lobbvist which as defined in Code Sec 2-481
includes a principal enqaqed in lobbvinq? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Deaartment
Police
Sponsor(s)
Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsor(s1
Condensed Title
Expand MBPD K9 Unit to Inc�ude Drug Detection Dogs. (Meiner) PD
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
1404 of 1750
Committee Referrals - C4 {{item.numbe�}}
�/IIA�/11 BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorabie Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Mayor Steven Meiner
DATE: May 21, 2025
TITLE: REFERRAL TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE
COMMITTEE — DISCUSSION REGARDING EXPANDING THE MIAMI BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT K9 UNIT TO INCLUDE DRUG DETECTION DOGS.
RECOMMENDATION
Please place on the May 21, 2025 agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood
Quality of Life Committee to discuss the potential expansion of the Miami Beach Police
Department's (MBPD) K9 Unit to include dogs trained in drug detection.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
The Miami Beach Police Department currently maintains a K9 Unit that primarily focuses on bomb
detection and criminal apprehension. Through an existing partnership with Miami Beach K9
Knights, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the MBPD by providing trained police
dogs, the Ciry has successfully deployed K9s in high-risk and high-visibility scenarios.
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and address narcotics-related concerns
throughout the city, I would like the Committee to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of
expanding the K9 Unit to include dogs specifically trained for drug detection. This would
complement MBPD's broader enforcement and prevention strategies, particularly in high-tra�c
public areas and during large-scale events.
The discussion should include an overview of current K9 operations, training protocols, legal
considerations for drug detection deployments, potential funding sources (including support from
Miami Beach K9 Knights), and the operational impact on MBPD's ability to proactively address
narcotics-related issues.
ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
To be determined.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE� was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.qov/city-hall/city�lerk/meeting-notices/
1405 of 1750
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
The Administration and MBPD should be prepared to provide a report on the current status of the
K9 Unit, its capabilities, and recommendations on the possible integration of drug-detection dogs.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to Citv Code Section 2-17? Project?
No No
Was this Aqenda Item initially requested by a lobbvist which, as de�ned in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal enqaged in lobbvinq? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
O�ce of Mayor Steven Meiner
Sponsor(s)
Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Ref: PSNQLC - Expand MBPD K9 Unit to Include Drug Detection Dogs. (Meiner)
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
1406 of 1750