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June 1990
B.L.O.C.: BUSINESS LEADERS AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME
By
Mike King
Administrative Assistant
Weber County, Utah, Attorney's Office
How many times has the lack of funding cut short an
undercover operation for local law enforcement? ``Too often'' is
unfortunately the answer. Most law enforcement budgets can
barely pay reactive costs, let alone proactive ones. However, in
Weber County, Utah, a funding source has been found that has
reaped substantial benefits for both the police department and
the community. That funding source is B.L.O.C.--Business Leaders
Against Organized Crime.
B.L.O.C. is a private corporation formed of businessmen and
community leaders with the goal of promoting a safer, crime-free
community. Organized in June 1987, its original mission was to
provide additional funding and equipment to assist local law
enforcement in completing on-going undercover ``sting''
operations. However, B.L.O.C. also offers assistance for
operations targeted against drug interdictions, property crimes
and white-collar crimes, as well as for specialized training of
police officers.
ORGANIZATION
Law enforcement professionals defined specific goals,
policies and procedures when organizing B.L.O.C. A good
reputation in the community and a sincere commitment to eliminate
the criminal elements were essential criteria for a business to
be admitted into B.L.O.C. Also, B.L.O.C. was structured as a
corporation, with ``articles of incorporation,'' to provide a
protective shield for the corporation's officers.
The corporation's board of directors consists of a
president, first vice president, second vice president, and
corporate accountant, each with respective duties and
responsibilities. The current president is a former police
officer who has an understanding of both law enforcement and
business community needs. As direct liaison between the police
department and the corporate membership, the president receives
all the basic information regarding each operation (type of
offense, necessary property or finances to conclude a successful
operation, possible length of operation, etc.) and then
approaches the membership for approval to disburse funds or
equipment. At no time, however, is any confidential information
about the operation relayed to the president by the law
enforcement agency requesting assistance.
The first vice president is usually an elected public
official. This person acts as a direct liaison with the
corporation's accountant and is responsible for the annual audit
of the program, which reports all findings to the board of
directors. The first vice president also cosigns with the
president and second vice president all disbursements to law
enforcement for individual operations and projects.
The second vice president is generally a private citizen who
is publicly recognized for community service and civic
responsibility. This person maintains membership records,
enlists new members, and cosigns all payouts to law enforcement.
The corporation's accountant is an accredited CPA with over
10 years of major account experience. The accountant maintains
records of all financial transactions and completes all the
necessary tax forms.
From the beginning, B.L.O.C. was incorporated as a nonprofit
organization, which allowed member businesses to deduct their
donations, thereby adding a degree of credibility to the
organization. The local IRS service center furnished the
required forms and guidelines to make application for the tax
exempt status. However, some jurisdictions could employ a local
attorney with the necessary expertise or a district attorney with
extensive civil law experience to process the tax-exempt
application.
FINANCING
Money to fund the operation is collected through yearly
dues, approximately $100 per year, although some of the larger
businesses voluntarily contribute larger amounts. By keeping the
annual fee to a minimum, busineses are more willing to join in
the effort. The funds are invested in high-yield interest
accounts, and the interest is used to finance projects or as
``buy'' money. The initial investment is kept intact to provide
for a continuous source of funding; only the interest is spent.
If the interest is expended, the corporation requests additional
funds from the membership, as needed.
Of course, there is always the possibility the program will
be dissolved. If this does occur, the remaining finances will be
used to purchase equipment for area law enforcement agencies.
One major concern for potential members was the issue of
liability to officers or members of the corporation. However,
members are assured that because they have no control over how a
police operation is conducted, they have no responsibility, and
this is conveyed to both the police and the corporation's
membership.
OPERATIONS
Affording contributors an opportunity to designate how
funds are used is one of B.L.O.C.'s major strengths. However,
most donations are pooled and spent at the discretion of the
board of directors. Members are advised that the monies are
directly used to fight organized criminal activities (but not for
officers' salaries) or to provide specialized training to law
enforcement personnel.
To request assistance, the commanding officer of an
undercover operation contacts the president. In the majority of
cases, the request is usually for extra finances. But requests
have also been made for equipment, vehicles, safe house
locations, or other services that the corporation's membership
can provide. There is no limit to the amount or types of lawful
donations that the membership can provide.
Another important facet of B.L.O.C. is the recognition given
to local law enforcement officers at an annual banquet for
exceptional deeds and accomplishments. Many city, county, State,
and Federal officials attend the awards banquet to honor officers
for their outstanding work. The extensive media coverage
provided these events also garners community support for
B.L.O.C. and law enforcement.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
B.L.O.C. is paying big dividends for law enforcement and the
community. Because of B.L.O.C., many undercover operations that
would have ceased have been allowed to continue, thereby
permitting major organized crime figures to be identified and
charged. Over the past 2 years, B.L.O.C. assisted Weber County
police agencies with undercover operations resulting in over 80
felony arrests, the recovery of over $80,000 in property, and
seizures of over $100,000 worth of illegal drugs. In Weber
County, B.L.O.C. demonstrates that law enforcement and the
private sector can work together to combat the criminal elements
that plague their community.