CBS4 - March 20, 2008

Miami-Dade Extends Stadium Security Deadline

MIAMI (CBS4) "• Miami Dade County commissioners have extended the deadline to settle a dispute over which police agency will provide security at the new Miami Marlins' stadium.

Both the Miami Dade Police Department and the City of Miami Police Department want the contract which would provide lucrative off-duty pay for officers.

The original deadline to reach a security agreement was Friday, March 21st, but now commissioners have pushed it back an additional 30 days. If no agreement is reached, it could put the entire stadium deal in jeopardy.

Earlier this month, county commissioners voted to require county police officers and firefighters to provide security, police and fire rescue services at the new stadium. The vote was just another step toward a showdown with the Miami Police Department which feels their officers should provide security and fire services since the new stadium sits inside the city's limits. The county counters that while the stadium may sit within city limits, the stadium itself will be owned by the county government.

The unions which represent both city and county officers are preparing for their own battle to secure the police and fire contract rights to the stadium. In an effort to make some sort of concession to their city counterparts, county commissioners have considered giving city police the outside-the-stadium traffic spots, as well as all positions at a new soccer stadium the city has plans to build next door.