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Escape School Instructor Cheryl Godbout

Alesia Russell and Community Support Division Officers

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department in partnership with the Dignity Memorial Network, Inc hosted Escape School, a child safety and abduction prevention program. Over 120 concerned adults and children attended this free safety seminar on February 27, 2003 at City Hall.

Participants were told to trust their instincts, taught to differentiate between good and bad strangers by their actions, and learned how to get people involved in their rescue. With the help of video and demonstrations, parents and children learned to recognize and prevent dangerous situations. Bob Stuber, a former California police officer, created this national safety program, and it is sponsored by Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes. The next seminar is scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2003. Please call (954) 828-6429 for more information and to register.

City of Fort Lauderdale Haitian Information Manual

In an ongoing effort to continue our partnership with the community, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the Department of Children and Families’ Refugee Program have developed an Informational Manual for the Haitian Community. The manual is designed to provide law enforcement, government and social services contact information to Haitian residents. It reinforces the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s commitment to assist the City’s Haitian Community in utilizing public services that are available to them.

This manual is a valuable resource for new refugees that have chosen Fort Lauderdale as their new home. Additionally, the manual includes school and church locations as well as instructions on how to obtain a driver’s license.

If you have any questions regarding the manual, please contact Junia Jeantilus-Robinson at (954) 828-6441 or Maria Elbresius at (954) 828-6418.

Junia Jeantilus and Code Inspector Supervisor Maurice Murray

Code Enforcement Workshop

The Haitian Community Outreach Program has implemented a series of crime prevention workshops in the Haitian Community. The Haitian Refugee Victimization Grant sponsors the workshops, which provide community members an opportunity to listen to various presenters from the Police and other City Departments. Presenters provide information regarding current neighborhood concerns and discuss techniques that are being used to solve them. Currently, workshops are held at: Fort Lauderdale High School, Northside Elementary School and Devine Mercy Catholic Church. They are held during the day and evening hours depending on meeting schedules. Each workshop has a Creole-speaking staff that serves as translators.

Code Enforcement recently completed workshops at the Devine Mercy Catholic Church and Fort Lauderdale High’s Community School. Both classes were well attended and the attendees raved about them.

For more information regarding the workshops or if you would like to schedule a workshop in your area, please call Junia Jeantilus-Robinson at (954) 828-6441 or Maria Elbresius at (954) 828-6418.

The Community Support Division would like to introduce Maria Elbresius. Maria was hired under the Haitian Refugee Victimization Grant to assists with the Haitian Community Outreach Program. Maria’s major contribution is her ability to speak fluent Creole, French and English. Since September 16, 2002 Maria’s language skills have been utilized throughout the City. In addition to utilizing her interpreting and translating abilities, Maria has taken the lead in many community workshops. Maria aspires to become a Police Officer, but until then, the Community Support Division is proud to have her as a member of our team.

Maria Elbreisus

PERSONNEL

Component One Officers continue to work the 13 Street Action Plan. The following are some of the statistics contributed by Component One: 20 investigative stops, 18 traffic citations, three arrests, 12 bicycles seized, 13 bicycle citations, and three new trespass affidavits were completed.

Component One also red tagged six vehicles and towed four that were previously red tagged. Remember that vehicles with no tags, flat tires, or on concrete blocks are considered derelict and will be red tagged. If you see vehicles in your areas that are derelict, please call Officer Charles Studders at (954) 828-6416.

Fort Lauderdale residents should be aware of City Ordinance 26-183, regarding bicycle registration. The City requires all residents to register their bicycles with the police department. This was done in an effort to minimize the number of bicycle thefts and allows the police department a means of locating the owner when a bicycle is recovered. Component One conducted a bicycle round up on Friday, February 28, targeting the areas of Middle River Terrace, Lake Ridge, Flagler Heights, and Victoria Park. There were 13 non-registered bicycles seized.

Do not be a victim; register your bike. Bring your bike, identification, and one dollar to the Community Support Division, 533 Northeast 13 Street. You must be an adult to register a bicycle.

Component One continues to participate in Middle River Terrace’s weekly crime walks and bicycle rides. As a reminder, the bicycle rides are every Wednesday night at 8pm and the crime walks are every Friday night at 7:30 pm. Participants for both events meet at Middle River Terrace Park.

If you own property in the area and would like to file a trespass affidavit, please contact Officer Charles Studders at (954) 828-6416. Trespass affidavits give police officers the right to ask people to leave your property if they are loitering. If they refuse to comply they are subject to arrest.

Component One assisted the Motor Unit with a driver’s license checkpoint in the 800 block of NE 13 Street. A total of 103 citations were written, most were minor equipment violations.

Officer Martinez has been updating the trespass affidavits in the area and red tagging derelict vehicles in the Lakeridge area. He has been concentrating on the area of the 7-Eleven Store, 1637 East Sunrise Boulevard and Wendy’s Restaurant, 1631 East Sunrise Boulevard. Officer Martinez continues to identify and interview local street level drug dealers and prostitutes that frequent both areas.

Officer Martinez is working with Detective Keith Kotrady and Code Enforcement to have the pay phone in Wendy’s parking lot removed. Many residents have voiced their concerns regarding individuals the phone is attracting.

With the demolition of the Livingston Manors, the area has greatly improved.

Since Officer Glenn Galt’s transfer to Component One, several problems were identified in the Flagler Heights area and necessary actions are being taken to address them.

On February 20, 2003, Officer Galt attended the monthly homeowners’ meeting. City Engineer Hector Castro, Detective Luis Alvarez from the Special Investigations Division and Officer Jeffrey Newman from District II Patrol evening shift were also in attendance. The homeowners’ chief concern was male prostitution in the area of the Cubby Hole, 823 North Federal Highway and the Tropicana Motel, 711 North Federal Highway.

The drug activity in the 600 Block of NE 4 Avenue has somewhat subsided, but street level dealers are still attracted to the area’s prostitution activity. Component One is working closely with the Special Investigations Division to develop a plan of action to solve these problems. District II Patrol has been actively working an action plan in the Flagler Heights area, which address these concerns. During the month of February Component One wrote 12 traffic citations, four bicycle citations, seized four bicycles for non-registration and six vehicles were red tagged. Twenty investigative stops were made and 10 code violations were documented and forwarded to Code Enforcement. Included in the list forwarded to Code are: the vacant lot on the southwest corner of NE 7 Street and NE 3 Avenue and the vacant lot west of 601 NE 3 Avenue.

If you see suspicious activity, please report it. Your information can lead to the successful prosecution of an offender and the resolution of a problem. Officer Galt can be reached at (954) 828-6414. If you have any questions regarding Code issues, please call Community Inspections at (954) 828-5207.

Component One and the Special Investigations Division’s Vice Unit continue to conduct PET Operations. The operations are conducted city wide in an effort to reduce prostitution activity. On February 7, seven arrests were made in different areas of the City. Prostitution laws were enhanced. After three convictions, violators are being charged with a felony.

PERSONNEL

Sergeant Harvey Jacques 828-6412 South Middle River Officer Brian Kaplan 828-6405 Sailboat Bend Officer Jamie Costas 828-6405 Dorsey Riverbend Officer Jamie Costas 828-6405 Durrs Officer Rosalind Wilson 828-6406 PSA Pati Dube 828-6402 Crime Prevention Detective Nate Jackson 828-6422

Before

Officer Jamie Costas attended Sailboat Bend’s February homeowners’ meeting. Residents were pleased with the police presence in their neighborhood. Officer Costas gave a report on two closed action plans that were initiated as a result of January’s meeting. The action plans addressed code issues at 209 SW 7 Street and the abandoned house at 921 West Las Olas Boulevard. Because of the property owners’ cooperation, both action plans were completed less than anticipated.

After

Officer Costas concluded the month with 54 traffic citations and he initiated an action plan at 939 SW 4 Street that address abandoned construction debris.

Officer Brian Kaplan attended South Middle River’s February homeowners’ meeting and he participated in their crime walk on February 28. He is currently working an action plan at 1238 NW 5 Avenue that address code issues and street level narcotics activity. With the property owner’s assistance, a trespass affidavit has been filed, the yard has been cleared of trash and the parking lot was repaved. Officer Kaplan conducted 10 investigative interviews that were forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division for follow-up. The residents in the area were pleased with the action taken and Officer Kaplan will provide a complete report when the plan is concluded.

Officer Rosalind Wilson continues to work an action plan at 1721-1727 NW 6 Place that address code issues. With the assistance of Code Enforcement and District II Patrol there has been an improvement in the area. Officer Wilson will give a complete report when the plan is concluded.

Officer Costas has been assigned to the Dorsey Riverbend area. He attended Mount Herman Baptist Church’s clean-up, which removed over 3,000 lbs. of discarded roadside trash. Officer Costas is in the process of initiating an action plan in the area and will provide an update in next month’s newsletter.

K9 Officer Paul Ostrikis attend Dorsey Riverbend’s February meeting and no police issues were discussed.

On February 13, 2003 PSA Terry Bryant was a guest speaker at the Boys & Girls Club of Fort Lauderdale, 832 NW 2 Street. PSA Bryant spoke to a group of 30 children about bicycle safety, stranger danger, fire prevention and peer pressure. The children asked many questions and they received coloring books, crayons and a lollypop reminding them of the safety lesson.

New recruits PSA Tuchette Bryant and PSA Tamara Saint-Gillis assisted PSA Bryant at this event.

On February 18, 2003 PSA Terry Bryant and PSA Laura Gerity spoke to a Boy Scout Troop and their parents at First Presbyterian Church, 1501 SE 2 Street. PSA Gerity instructed the parents on the use of children identification kits, which were issued free of charge. PSA Bryant discussed several safety issues that helped them complete assignments necessary to earn their merit badges. The Boy Scouts also received coloring books and crayons.

PERSONNEL

Sergeant Mike DiMaggio 828-6430 Patrol Officers Shady Banks River Oaks Edgewood Officer Mike Pasker 828-6409 Sunset Civic Officer Wayne Swenson 828-6409 Riverside Park< Officer Steve Scelfo 828-6409 Riverland Poinciana Park Officer Wayne Swenson 828-6409   PSA Laura Todaro 828-6402   Narcotics K-9 Officer Jon Appel Narcotics K-9 "Iris" 828-6415 Officer Paul Ostrikis Narcotics K-9 "Kelly" 828-6415     Alarm Specialist Evelyn Moran 828-5476

Officer Steve Scelfo utilized his time to familiarize himself with the Riverside Park area. He met with many home and business owners and is in the process of addressing their concerns. Many residents brought to his attention the area of SW 11 Court between SW 16 Avenue and Riverside Drive. Officer Scelfo, with the assistance of local residents, was able to identify a neighborhood drug dealer in the area, and made an arrest for cocaine possession. Through increased patrol and traffic stops, there has been a decrease in the amount of loiterers in the area.

During the month of February there were several robberies along SW 11 Court. Officer Scelfo stopped a juvenile identified as a robbery suspect. Although the robbery victim refused to cooperate, Officer Scelfo arrested the juvenile for felony probation violation and forwarded the information pertaining to this incident to the Violent Crimes Unit.

Patrol was increased in the northern area of Riverside Park to address its current burglary problem. As a result, four arrests were made and 12 traffic citations were issued. Eighty vehicles were red tagged and six of those vehicles were towed for non-compliance. The Traffic Unit spent 23 hours in the Riverside Park area and issued 52 traffic citations.

Officer Pasker also spent the month of February familiarizing himself with the Melrose Manors area. He met with Arthur O’Neal, the Civic Association President, and was informed that residents were concerned about abandoned vehicles parked on City swales in the area. Officer Pasker responded by red tagging derelict vehicles and towing those that were non-compliant.

Officer Swenson trained nine new police officers on problem solving techniques being used in the Community Support Division. Most of his time was dedicated to the Sunset and Riverland areas addressing quality of life issues.

PERSONNEL

Sergeant Anthony Williams 828-6420 Sunrise Middle Officer Robert Bolden 828-6408 Officer Art Jones 828-6408 Dillard High Officer Jeff Alexander 797-4800 Fort Lauderdale High Officer Charles Livingston 765-6921 Stranahan High Officer Dennis Nelson 765-6893 JAM Project Officer Pete Balcunas 847-3434 D.A.R.E. Officer Mary Gillis 828-6408 D.A.R.E. Officer Clay Barrett 828-6408 D.A.R.E. Officer Duval Madrigal 828-6408 D.A.R.E. Officer Rick Temple 828-6408 D.A.R.E. Officer Ivory Nelson 828-6408 Truancy Unit Officer Bill Jacobsen 828-6400 New River Middle Officer Mike Tucker 828-6408

There were no D.A.R.E. or G.R.E.A.T. classes taught during the month of February due to Broward County’s FCAT Test.

Officer Clay Barrett gave-a-way twenty-five bicycles to Riverland Elementary students scoring 4.0 or better on the FCAT Test. The Police Evidence Unit donated the bicycles.

Officer Barrett was also instrumental in coordinating Stephen Foster Elementary’s career day on February 20, 2003. The event was well attended in light of slight rainfall throughout the day. The support of other police units was above and beyond, and was greatly appreciated by the students and school staff. Officers deserving special recognition for the success of this event are: Officer Clay Barrett, Motor Officer Todd Mills, Marine Officers Jeff Brooks and John Lefferts, Narcotics K-9 Officers Paul Ostrikis and Jon Appel, Mounted Officers Gary Michael and John Kane, and Truancy Officer William Jacobson.

Officers Rob Bolden, Ivory Nelson and Mary Gillis participated in a simulated “Freedom March” organized by Northside Elementary School. Florida’s Attorney General Charlie Crist and City Mayor Jim Naugle attended the event along with hundreds of students from various Broward County Schools. The group marched through the area between West Sunrise Boulevard and NW 13 Street, North Andrews Avenue and NW 2 Avenue.

The Youth Services Unit would like to give a special thanks to the Motor Unit for their assistance. The professionalism and efficiency they displayed were outstanding.

If you want a code inspector to investigate an illegal dumping site or a bulk trash violation, please call Community Inspections at 828-5207. To address trash on City property, or to find out what your bulk trash pick up days are, you can call the City of Fort Lauderdale Public Services Department at 828-8000. Please help us to keep Fort Lauderdale clean!

To report a problem area in your neighborhood, send the following info to the Community Support Division. Remember, be specific with the information that you provide so that we may take the appropriate actions. Send info to: Community Support Division, 533 NE 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Or e-mail us with the following information:

Address:
Business Name(& Type):
Problem Observed:
Date:

PSAs Bryant and Todaro-Gerity are assisting Code Enforcement in their efforts to reduce the number of derelict vehicle violations throughout the City. These are quality-of-life issues which devalue the neighborhood as well as present safety hazards.

To report graffiti, contact the graffiti hotline at 828-6402. Or, click here to send an e-mail to PSA Teresa Bryant.

Bicycles can be registered at the following locations:

Community Support Division Center 533 NE 13th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Snyder Park 2800 S.W. 8th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Wednesday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. By appointment only! Please call first 954-828-4585

Contact PSA Bryant if you would like to schedule bicycle registrations during a community event.

Call 463-BIKE for more information.

Demonstration Center
Project Director Alesia Russell (954) 828-6433
Training Coordinator Rosa Vazquez (954) 828-6428
Volunteer Coordinator (954) 828-6432	Records Clerk Treciann Collman (954) 828-6431

The Community Support Center offers various events such as workshops, training classes and community forums. The Center is also available to the community as a meeting place. Some of the courses that are offered to civilians and law enforcement personnel are outlined below.

Community Calendar

License Plate Theft Prevention Program, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., while supplies last, at the Community Support Division, 533 NE 13 Street. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is distributing, free of charge, special screws that are created to prevent the theft of license plates. The screws are affixed with a regular screwdriver, but can only be removed with a special tool held by the Police Department. For information, please call (954) 828-6400.

Landlord/Tenant Training, Wednesday evenings, March 19, April 16, and May 21, 2003. Classes are 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and held at the Community Support Division’s Training Room, 533 NE 13 Street. Topics include keeping illegal activity out of your property, screening applicants, the Federal Fair Housing Act, Section 8 Housing and more. Certificates of attendance will be issued upon completion of the course. The workshop is open to all interested. Fort Lauderdale Police Captain Paul Kiley and Sergeant Greg Kridos teach the classes. For more information and registration please call (954) 828-6428.

19th Community Police Academy, Wednesday evenings, February 19 through May 21, 2003, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This 14-week program is offered to City residents, civic and government organization members. The academy is designed to foster active partnership with the community. Topics include Community Policing, Officer Selection/Recruiting, Drug Enforcement, Special Investigations, Range/Firearms, Detention Tour, Communications and more. In addition to the scheduled classes, an eight-hour “ride along” with Patrol Officers will be made available to the attendees. For more information and applications please call (954) 828-6428. You may also download an application from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s website.

Escape School, With the recent nationally publicized child abductions throughout the United States, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is taking preventative action by providing a free safety education program for parents and children regarding abductions. Escape School is an hour-long presentation that teaches participants to trust their instincts, how to differentiate between good and bad strangers, what to do if confronted with an abductor (e.g. run, scream, disable car), and how to get people involved in their rescue. The program consists of video and role-playing exercises with the instructor, children and parents. Bob Stuber, a former California police officer, created Escape School. Dignity Memorial Funeral Providers provides this free class to the public. The class will be held Thursday, May 22, 2003, at City Hall’s Commission Chambers, 100 North Andrews Avenue, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please call (954) 828-6429 for more information and registration.

K-9 Academy, Wednesdays, April 9, April 16, April 23, and April 30, 2003, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Police Barn in Holiday Park, 1100 G. Harold Martin Drive. This basic canine obedience class consists of 4 (2 hour) sessions and is open to the public. Dogs must be at least six months old. Class is limited to 12 participants and is free of charge. For more information and registration please call Sergeant John Eaves at (954) 972-1455 or the Community Support Division at (954) 828-6428.

Protecting Your Child Online, Thursday, April 10, 2003, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Community Support Division’s Training Room, 533 NE 13 Street. This seminar is being offered to adults only. Learn to limit your child’s access on the Internet to prevent visitation of inappropriate sites and receipt of inappropriate e-mails. Also, learn how to prepare your children against child predators on-line. For more information and registration please call (954) 828-6428.

Hotel/Motel Training, Tuesday, May 6, 2003, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Community Support Division’s Training Room, 533 NE 13 Street. Topics include keeping illegal activities out of public lodging establishments, crisis resolution, city resources, evictions, and more. The workshop is open to all interested. Captain Paul Kiley and Sergeant Greg Kridos will be presenting the class. For more information and registration please call (954) 828-6428.

4th Annual Comedy Night for Charity, Saturday, March 22, 2003, at the Police Officer’s Association Hall, located at 4500 SW 13 Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Show times at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. featuring professional comics who have appeared on numerous television shows. Admission is $30 each, includes one free drink and proceeds benefit the Bryant Peney Scholarship and Concerns of Police Survivors. For tickets call the POA Hall at (954) 587-7560 or Alesia Russell at (954) 828-6433.

Brian Kiley, Patti Ross and Joe Yannetty will amuse you with their engaging personalities and original jokes. Brian Kiley is a 7 time EMMY Nominee who writes for the Conan O’Brien show and has made many appearances on television on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the CBS Morning Program. Patty Ross is a Comedy Award winner who has made appearances on Comics Come Home, Comedy Show Case, and more. Joe Yannetty wrote and appeared in the film “Suckers,” has made several television appearances, and has been seen on the Rosie O’Donnell Show. After an evening at the 4th Annual Comedy Night for Charity, you will feel like you’ve scored the best ticket in Fort Lauderdale.

Special Olympics Torch Run, Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Law enforcement personnel will run throughout Florida while raising funds for Special Olympics. You can help support the Special Olympics in various ways:

• Official Torch Run T-shirt’s are for sale at $12.00 each. Purchase a shirt to show your support of the Special Olympics.
• Harley Davidson Drawing: 100th Year Edition 2003 Softail Fatboy Harley raffle tickets are $20.00 per ticket with only 2000 tickets being sold.
• Adopt-a-Cop: Friends, neighbors, businesses, civic groups, churches can "Adopt a Cop" as their official torch runner. With a minimum of a $50 contribution, the group can sponsor a specific runner.
• Corporate Sponsorship: Local businesses can become an official sponsor of the Torch Run with a minimum contribution of $250.
• Community Support & Contributions: Friends, coworkers, neighbors, club members, etc. can make a donation to Special Olympics.

Donations can be made in cash or check. Checks should be made payable to Special Olympics Broward. For more information you can reach Alesia Russell at (954) 828-6433 or Terry Bryant at (954) 828-6402. Thank you for your support of this annual event and hope to see you at the run!

***ALL WORKSHOPS ARE FREE OF CHARGE***

Briefing Room