Crime won't increase if South Florida voters are allowed to okay slot machines at racetracks, a union leader says.
By LUCY MORGAN
Published October 13, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - The police union representing most state law enforcement agencies on Tuesday endorsed a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 2 ballot that could lead to slot machines at parimutuel facilities in South Florida.
The International Union of Police Associations said the amendment could raise up to $500-million a year for education in Florida.
Joe Mosca, vice president of the union, rejected the suggestion that expanded gambling would increase crime. The area already has gambling ship cruises and Indian casinos that are not regulated or taxed by the state.
"I've been in Miami-Dade for more than 23 years and watched gaming expand, and we have yet to see any increase in criminal activity around gaming," said Mosca, a state trooper. "We're enjoying low crime rates - all rates are going down."
Many of the officers in the union work for agencies whose leaders have joined Gov. Jeb Bush in opposing the measure.
If Amendment 4 is approved, voters in Miami-Dade and Broward could vote in another election whether to allow slot machines at dog and horse racing tracks and jai alai frontons. A statewide vote is needed first because the state Constitution now bans gambling except for the lottery.
The proposal allows lawmakers to tax slot machines, but doesn't guarantee it. Any revenue would go to education.
Voters overwhelmingly approved a state lottery in 1986 but have repeatedly rejected casino gambling.
The union represents the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and a handful of other state agencies with law enforcement personnel.
Yes for Local Control, the group raising money for the amendment, already has drawn support from former Education Secretary Jim Horne, who is being paid $100,000 to coordinate the campaign. Horne says he sees it as a way to raise money for education.
