By Dan Moffett
Briny Breezes council members are considering hiring a private security firm to work with police as the town prepares to seek applicants for a new law enforcement contract.
Briny’s contract with Boynton Beach police expires on Oct. 1, and Town Manager Dale Sugerman told the council he hopes to advertise for bidders on a new deal this month.
Alderwoman Kathy Gross said the council should explore hiring private security guards to improve the town’s policing and maybe save money.
“Looking at what we have that happens here in Briny, I don’t see why we actually pay this much money for law enforcement to come around occasionally and not be here all the time,” Gross said. “So they can’t even see the things going on.”
Gross said Briny has problems with nonresidents parking in private driveways and using the swimming pool. Whereas police are reluctant or unable to deal with some of those annoying issues, private security guards might be more effective.
Gross suggested the council look at paying less for police and using some of the town’s security budget to hire private guards.
Sugerman said that the town could hire a private firm, but that wouldn’t substitute for certified police protection.
“The dilemma is private security firms do not have what are called police powers — the ability to arrest,” he said. “That can only come from a law enforcement agency.”
State law limits municipalities to contracting only with contiguous jurisdictions for police service. So for Briny Breezes, the only options are with Boynton Beach, Ocean Ridge and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Council President Sue Thaler suggested the town consider looking at a mix of services, using a private firm to supplement the work of a public agency. Manalapan, Hunter’s Run and the village of Golf are among South Florida municipalities that use some level of private security.
Town Attorney Keith Davis advised the council to go forward with advertising for law enforcement services. Davis said when applicants come forward, the council will have the chance to question them on specifics about their enforcement limits and working with private firms.
In 2016, Briny ended a three-decade relationship with Ocean Ridge’s police when the town signed on with Boynton Beach’s department, agreeing on a three-year contact for $618,792. Boynton’s price was roughly 11 percent lower than what Ocean Ridge proposed for virtually identical services.
Boynton Beach patrols the town six times daily, not including responses to residents’ calls, according to Capt. Chris Yannuzzi. So the department on average sends patrol cars to Briny close to 200 times each month.
Some Ocean Ridge commissioners have expressed regret about losing the Briny contract and support trying to win it back. Boynton Beach has about 155 sworn officers who police roughly 75,000 people; Ocean Ridge has 16 full-time officers who police 1,700.
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