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The grand opening for the new Community Support Division building located at 533 Northeast 13th Street was held on September 26th. The opening was attended by all components within CSD as well as Chief of Police Bruce Roberts, City Manager Floyd Johnson, Mayor Jim Naugle, and City Commissioner Tim Smith. We appreciate all the community members that attended and made this event successful.

Police Honor Guard


COPs at Police and Fire Apprec Day

On September 14, 2002, the City of Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Associations hosted Police and Fire Appreciation Day at Holiday Park. The event was scheduled from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Opening ceremonies had the Honor Guard present the colors and Alesia Russell sang the National Anthem. Awards were presented by the different Homeowners and Civic Associations to various Officers for the work they have done in the different neighborhoods.

The Fire Department demonstrated various rescue efforts involving High Rise rescue using the Quint or Ladder truck, a fully involved house fire, as well as, a demonstration with a Hurst tool operation. The Police Department’s SWAT team demonstrated a hostage rescue effort and the K-9 unit demonstrated a K-9 criminal apprehension. Other events included a show of equipment and manpower in the Dive Rescue Team, Bomb Squad, Mobil Command Center, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Haz-Mat Team (FLFD), FLPD Motor, Mounted Unit, Marine Units, Citizens on Patrol (COP) members, Florida Highway Patrol Rollover Simulator, and a Coca-Cola Karaoke booth. All who attended had a great time.

License plate screws are truly effective. A community member recently stopped in to have a Community Support Division Officer assist her with the removal of the specialty license plate screws. These screws are offered here at CSD. They are meant to protect the community from license plate theft. The community member went on to explain that one morning she awoke to find someone trying to steal her license plate, however because of the special screws she had received from the police department the would be thief left empty handed.

PERSONNEL

On September 7, 2002, Public Safety Aide Laura Todaro and Officer Willie Hernandez attended a bicycle registration at Pan American Mobil Home Park, 150 Northwest 68th Street. This event was a big success and resulted in 68 bicycles being registered within the park. This event was scheduled from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

On the same day Citizen on Patrol members Theresa Davenport and Ron Laffey (pictured) attended a bicycle registration at the Ness Mobil Home Park, 3301 S Andrews Ave. This event yielded a total of 13 bicycles registered.

On September 28, 2002, PSAs Laura Todaro and Leslie Fass attended a Child Safety Day at Office Depot/Toys R Us at 1600 North Federal Highway. This event was well received with over 200 people in attendance.

PSAs Todaro and Fass handed out safety activity books and child safety print kits for parents to take home.

The event was held from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. For further information on how you can host a safety day or if you would like information on child safety print kits please contact the Fort Lauderdale Community Support Division at 954-828-6400.

Component I Officers, along with District II Patrol and the Special Investigations Division continue to work the 13th Street Action Plan. The following are some of the statistics contributed by Component I Officers: 16 traffic citations, nine bicycle citations, five bicycles seized, six arrests, 15 investigative stops, five trespass affidavits were updated and seven vehicles were red tagged.

Remember if a vehicle cannot legally be on a public road, it is considered derelict and is subject to be red tagged and towed. Some examples are vehicles with no tags, flat tires, or vehicles on concrete blocks. If you see vehicles in your area that are derelict, please call Officer Hector Martinez at (954) 828-6416.

Officer Martinez received several complaints of drug activity at 1128 Northeast 5th Avenue. The owner of the property was contacted and he is cooperating with our efforts. He signed a trespass affidavit and is in the process of evicting the problem tenants. The local drug dealers have been using the road closure at Northeast 5th Avenue as an escape route from officers. Officers patrolling the area have been issuing bicycle and traffic citations to deter this activity.

A traffic stop conducted by Officer Feldewert and Officer Martinez in the 700 block of Northeast 13th Court resulted with an arrest for possession of GHB and MDA, which are commonly known as “club drugs”. These drugs are not normally seen in the area.

Officer Martinez has been in contact with Gerard Theophian’s probation officer, and has learned that Gerard violated his probation after another arrest and will be going back to jail. Gerard has been a problem in the area for a long time. Jeffrey Filsaine is back in the area. Jeffrey was in jail for robbing of a cab driver, at gunpoint and is back on the streets. Officer Martinez will continue to monitor the area and keep an eye out for these repeated offenders.

Component I Officers participated in six community related events in the Middle River Terrace area. These events are the weekly bicycle rides on Wednesday nights and the weekly crime walks on Friday nights. Both events begin at the Middle River Terrace Park. The bike ride starts at 8:00 p.m. and the walks at 7:30 p.m. It would be nice to see some new faces at the events, so come out and join your neighbors. For more information contact Cindy Smith at (954) 728-9290.

Component I Officers also participated in Toys “R” Us and Office Depot “Child Safety Awareness Day” on Saturday September 28th. The officers provided parents with Child ID kits, which include areas for pictures, fingerprints and DNA. They also interacted with the children by answering questions, handing out safety coloring books, free 7-Eleven Slurpee tickets, and tours of the interior of police vehicles. The day was a complete success.

Officer Martinez would like to thank the citizens of Middle River Terrace for the appreciation plaque he received at the Police/Fire Appreciation Day. Thank you for recognizing our efforts in the area.

Component I Officers along with the Special Investigations Division conducted a Prostitution Enforcement Operation on the evening of September 19th. The main target areas were Holiday Park, Lakeridge and Flagler Heights. During the course of the night officers arrested a total of nine people for prostitution. The high point was no arrests were made in the Lakeridge area. Lakeridge has seen a dramatic decrease of both male and female prostitutes. Knowing that some still work in the area, the officers will be vigilant in their efforts to take enforcement action to deter this activity.

Sergeant Johnston and Officer Feldewert would like to thank the members of the Lakeridge Civic Association for the appreciation plaques they received. Thank you for recognizing our efforts.

While on patrol in the area of Bank of America, Officer Feldewert observed a male sitting inside the enclosure where the bank keeps its trash dumpster smoking crack cocaine from a 12-ounce beer can. The subject was placed under arrest and charged with possession. It was later revealed that the man was on probation for grand theft. Officer Feldewert followed-up by contacting the subject’s probation officer and was advised the subject’s probation will be violated. Officer Feldewert is pleased to say that we will not see this person again until October 4, 2004.

Component I Officers along with the Special Investigations Division’s Vice Unit conducted a prostitution enforcement operation targeting prostitutes in the Flagler Heights Area. A total of nine prostitutes were arrested during the night, with six of those nine were in the 600 – 900 blocks of Northeast 5th Terrace. These operations will continue.

Members of the civic association had been complaining to Officer Fontalvo of suspected drug activity at a residence located on the corner of Northeast 5th Avenue and 7th Street. Officer Fontalvo contacted Detective Fuller of the Street Narcotics Unit and an investigation was initiated. The landlord was notified of this investigation and the tenant was issued an eviction notice.

Component I Officers have been meeting with District II zone officers to discuss the problems in the area. Together, with the assistance of the Raiders, several drug houses were located and the illegal activities were ceased.

Citizens on Patrol have been patrolling this area during the evening shift spending a total of 14 ½ hours dedicated to 101 Zone. PSA Terry Bryant attended the monthly COP meeting and reminded them of our Victoria Park action plan.

The Motor Unit conducted two enforcement operations in the Victoria Park Area and wrote 135 citations. In addition, Motor Officers Sam House, Todd Mills, and Brian Fitzgerald continue to address the area of Northeast 15th Avenue between Northeast 6th Street and Northeast 9th Street yielding 50 citations.

The Special Investigations Division’s, Vice Unit, along with Component I Officers, conducted a Prostitution Operation on August 15, and six arrests were made in the area of Northeast 5th Terrace and Northeast 8th Street. Although this is not part of Victoria Park, the prostitutes are undoubtedly affecting the Victoria Park Area.

Sergeant Sebragandio informed us that the Raiders didn’t have much activity in the Victoria Park Area; however, the Raiders made two arrests, along with handling nine narcotic complaints.

Mounted Officer McGrath spent a total of 24 hours in the area during the month of September.

The action plan for this area is coming to an end. The number of residential burglaries has decreased 28% this month alone. Component I Officers will continue to monitor the activity along Federal Highway in an effort to prevent undesirables from coming into the neighborhood.

PERSONNEL

Sergeant Anthony Williams 828-6420 South Middle River Officer Rosalind Wilson 828-6406 Officer Brian Kaplan 828-6404 Sailboat Bend Officer Rick Temple 828-6405 Dorsey Riverbend Officer Jeff Alexander 828-6405 Durrs Vacant 828-6409

Component II Officers are currently assigned to the District II Robbery Action Plan.

PERSONNEL

Sergeant Mike O'Connor 828-6430 Patrol Officers Shady Banks River Oaks Edgewood Officer Wayne Swenson 828-6407 Sunset Civic Melrose Manors Officer Darren Ogden 828-6403 Riverside Park Croissant Park Officer Darren Ogden 828-6409 Riverland Poinciana Park Officer Sal Vasi 828-6409       Crime Prevention Det. Nate Jackson 828-6422 Det. Caryn Cleary-Robitaille 828-6419   Code Team Det. Estelle Abrams 828-6535 Det. Keith Kotrady 828-6551 Det. Paul Allen 761-5147 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

The City has replaced the road closures at the intersection Southwest 18th Avenue and Southwest 11th Court. The permanent barricades and planters have been put in place with the hopes of finally closing the road to vehicular traffic. We would like to thank John McDowell, Public Services, for his attentiveness to this problem as well as the Fire Department and all other City Officials who made this project a success. Additionally, the assistance of Tom Andrews and other Riverside Park residents, that voiced their concerns on issues relating to this closure. Their commitments also made this project a success.

With the closure completed, attention has been brought to the lot adjacent to the intersection. The property has become an eyesore. It has overgrown shrubs, butchered trees, and an unkept swimming pool. Members of the Code Team have been working on bringing the property owner to compliance. The owner was cited for the pool, shrubs, and trees that were cut against City Code. Some steps have been taken by the owner in reference to the removal of the debris and the cleaning of the swimming pool. However, there are still violations that are in existence. The property owner has fines running on a continuous basis for these violations.

There were fifteen vehicles red tagged for various code violations in the Riverside Park Area during September and all became compliant.

In reference to the vacant lot in the 3000 block of West Broward Boulevard, we discussed last month, the sofas and chairs have been removed. Trespass Affidavits have been posted on the property. Component III Officers have issued verbal warnings to violators as well as informing the labor pool that arrests will be made. These efforts were the initial steps to notify the workers that the property is no longer a place to congregate. As a result, arrests will now be made on the property for future violators. The property was chained off to prevent motor vehicles from entering as well and someone removed it. Contact was made with the property owner and he advised he would replace the chain.

We continue to work with the City to make the vacant lot on the Northeast corner of Davie Boulevard and State Road 441 a No Parking/Tow Away Zone, which we feel will resolve the problem with unauthorized vehicles being parked on the property.

We have responded to a resident’s complaint of homeless congregating on City property located on the Southeast corner of Davie Boulevard and State Road 441. We learned that the newspaper vendors that work the intersection have set up areas on the property and congregate there after they complete their workday. Their violations include open alcohol containers, and urinating in the public. The areas the vendors are congregating have milk crates, tires, and trash cans. Trespass Affidavits and placing on the property. City Work Crews have been asked to assist in the removal of the listed items.

There were 18 vehicles red tagged in the Sunset Area for various code violations during September and all the vehicles became compliant.

We have received several complaints of to prostitution activity in the area of South Federal Highway between Davie Boulevard and Southeast 17th Street. The reportees informed us that the most active hours are during the late afternoon. Patrol in unmarked units were directed towards this area during this time frame with negative results. We forwarded this information to the Special Investigations Division for their next Prostitution Enforcement Team Operation and we will continue to monitor this area.

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale

Chief Bruce Roberts, Assistant Chief Chuck Drago,
Officer Sal Vasi, and Captain Frank Adderley


District 3 Police Officers and PSAs
enjoying welcome festivities

On September 21, 2002, the City of Fort Lauderdale held an event to welcome Melrose Park and Riverland residents. These two areas were officially incorporated into the City on September 15, 2002.

The Stranahan High School Marching Band opened the ceremony at 2:00 pm and the Fort Lauderdale Police Honor Guard presented the colors as Sergeant John Labandera played the National Anthem on the trumpet.

The Police, Fire, City Parks, Code Enforcement, as well as other Departments within the City were on hand to provide information and handouts for new residents. Bicycles were registered and Steering wheel locks were given away by the Auto Theft Department.

PERSONNEL

Sergeant Harvey Jacques 828-6412 Sunrise Middle Officer Robert Bolden 828-6408 Dillard High Officer Art Jones 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 Ernie Pagan 828-6408 D.A.R.E. Officer Ivory Nelson 828-6408 Truancy Unit Officer Bill Jacobsen 828-6400

Officer Duval Madrigal

Officer Duval Madrigal

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department Youth Services Division is having a bicycle give away contest. This contest is open to the youth in Fort Lauderdale. This program offers a free bicycle from The FLPD Evidence Unit to youth who can collect 12 of the School Resource Officers trading cards. The essence of the program is to allow children the opportunity to meet the Officers that serve the various schools. The program has gained popularity, with the Community Support Division receiving daily visitors requesting officer trading cards.

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 Blackmon 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 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 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 Cappuzzello (954) 828-6433
Training Coordinator Rosa Vazquez (954) 828-6428	Community Information Specialist Blanca Alvarez (954) 828-6429
Volunteer Coordinator Omayra Tavarez (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 Fort Lauderdale Police Department Community Support Division, 533 N.E. 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL. 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, call 954-828-6400.

Landlord/Tenant Training, Wednesday November 20, 2002, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, 1300 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL. 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. Captain Kiley and Sergeant Kridos of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department will be presenting the class. Call (954) 828-6428 for more information and to register.

18th Community Police Academy, Wednesdays, August 21 – November 20, 2002, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This 14-week program is offered to residents of the City of Fort Lauderdale, civic and government organizations members. The academy is designed to foster active partnership with the community. Topics addressed 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 for applications please call (954) 828-6432. You may also download an application from the Fort Lauderdale Police website at: http://www.ci.ftlaud.fl.us/police/cpa.html.

Escape School, November 4, 2002, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at City Hall, Commission Chambers, 100 North Andrews Avenue. With the recent widely publicized child abductions, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is taking preventative action and 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 (ex: 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 class as a public service free of charge. For more information on Escape School and abduction prevention, please visit Escape School’s website at: http://www.escapeschool.com/abduction/. To place your name on a waiting list for the next class, or for more information please call the Community Support Division. To register for the class, or for more information please call the Community Support Division at (954) 828-6429.

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

Briefing Room