§ 10.5-4. Combat automobile theft program.

(a)

Pursuant to Section 316.008, Florida Statutes, there is hereby created a combat auto theft program in Polk County. The program shall consist of the following:

(1)

A consent form to be signed by motor vehicle owners who wish to enroll their vehicles; and

(2)

A decal indicating the vehicle's enrollment in the program. The decal shall be in a form approved by the sheriff's office in compliance with Florida Department of Law Enforcement guidelines.

(b)

The consent form shall:

(1)

Explain the general operation of the program.

(2)

Provide authorization for a law enforcement officer to stop the vehicle when it is being driven between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., provided the decal referenced above is conspicuously affixed to the bottom left corner of the back window of the vehicle.

(3)

Provide that the owner of the motor vehicle is responsible for removing the decal when terminating participation in the program or when selling or otherwise transferring ownership of the vehicle.

(4)

Provide that the owner of the vehicle is responsible for notifying in writing the sheriff's department of any transfer of ownership.

(5)

Provide that participation in the program is voluntary and may be terminated at the [any] time.

(6)

Provide that no civil liabilities will arise from the actions taken by a law enforcement officer when stopping a vehicle with a decal indicating enrollment in the program when the driver is not enrolled in the program; provided that the stop is made in accordance with the requirements of the program.

(7)

Such other information as the sheriff's office deems necessary and appropriate.

(8)

Each owner of a motor vehicle enrolled in the program shall sign a separate statement which indicates that the consent form has been read and understood in its entirety.

(c)

The program may be implemented upon approval of program materials and procedures, including guidelines and procedures for making a stop of a vehicle bearing a decal, by the sheriff and board of county commissioners. Such program materials and procedures may be subject to periodic review and approval by the sheriff and board of county commissioners.

(Ord. No. 94-31, § 1, 3-22-94)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 94-31, § 1, adopted March 22, 1994, did not specify manner of codification; hence, inclusion as 10.5-4 was at the discretion of the editor.