DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — Deerfield Beach and the Broward Sheriff’s Office remained without a deal Tuesday as the city’s public safety contract approached a midnight deadline.
If no agreement is reached, a two-year transition period would automatically begin, giving the city time to consider bringing police and fire services under local control.
Some residents believe Deerfield Beach is ready to go its own way.
“Well, I think the cheapest way to go about it is to get rid of BSO. You see the city already owns all the fire stations, they already own all the fire apparatus” said Joe Cummings, a Deerfield Beach resident.
For now, services will remain in place.
BSO will continue providing police and fire coverage for up to 24 months during the transition period.
City officials will then face the decision of whether to rebuild their own police department — disbanded in 1990 when it merged into BSO — or partner with a neighboring city.
“There’s a lot of ways we can look at what’s going on. What I want is the right thing to happen. To do what’s right for the people, the taxpayers (and) the voters,” Cummings said.
Rebecca Medina Stewart, a spokesperson for the city, said in a statement:
“Tonight begins an exciting new chapter as we consider bringing police and fire services under local leadership,” she said. “Beginning in early November the city will hold a series of meetings to gather community feedback and ensure this path forward reflects the priorities of the people we serve.”
BSO said it is continuing to negotiate in good faith and hopes to maintain its relationship with Deerfield Beach.
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