Florida Representative Irving Slosberg wants to give police the power to prevent traffic deaths like the one that took his 14-year-old daughter, Dori Slosberg’s life. The Dori Slosberg Safety Belt Law Committee is collecting petitions to save lives through primary enforcement of Florida’s safety belt law. The Committee is seeking to collect 488,000 signed voter petitions for a constitutional amendment on the Florida ballot in November 2004. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is taking an active role in promoting and collecting safety belt petitions.

Primary enforcement of the safety belt law will have several benefits, which include:

• Increased safety belt compliance
• Saved lives
• Prevention of debilitating injuries
• Medical insurance savings
• The possible gain of a $6-$9 million annual stipend for the state of Florida based on compliance under a current bill in Congress

Florida voters can obtain a petition form and more information by going to www.dorislosberg.org or by visiting the FLPD website at http://www.cityfort.com/police/contents.html.

If you would like to submit a petition or if you need more information contact Alesia Russell, Community Support Division at 954-828-6433.

Officer Scott Hickey is Victoria Park’s new community officer. He has been a law enforcement officer for 17 years and a member of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department since 1995. Officer Hickey is a field-training officer and is being transferred from District III Shift III. If you would like to contact Officer Hickey, his phone number is (954) 828-6414.

Once again, the number of residential burglaries decreased in the Lakeridge area. There were only two residential burglaries during the month of October and both occurred in Lakeridge’s west sector. The Burglary Unit is actively working suspects for both burglaries and it appears that someone known to the victims committed them.

There was one auto burglary (the owner left his vehicle unlocked and a CD player was removed) and three stolen vehicles, two of which were taken from the 1000 Block of NE 9 Avenue. A reminder, please be vigilant and keep your vehicles locked. During the homeowners meeting, Officer Martinez provided tips on how to secure property and how to avoid becoming a victim of a crime of opportunity. Statistics for the month of October:

• 7 quality of life arrests
• 12 traffic citations issued
• 4 bicycle citations issued
• 2 bicycles seized
• 3 red tags
• 1 vehicle towed for a code violation
• 2 new trespass affidavits were filed
• 13 field interviews were conducted to document suspicious persons in the area
• 11 proactive investigative stops
• 5 vehicles red tagged
• 10 Beatwatches were distributed.

Officer Martinez assisted Burglary Detective Jack Gee with an undercover sting investigation conducted on various businesses in District I. These businesses were buying stolen property from burglars, which make it easier for burglars to profit from their crimes. The operation resulted in two search warrants and two arrests, as well as gathered intelligence on individuals who were committing the crimes.

Officer Luis Alvarez is Dorsey Riverbend and Sailboat Bend’s new community officer. He has been a law enforcement officer for 9 years and a member of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department since 1997. Officer Alvarez is being transferred from the Street Narcotics Unit aka “Raiders.” If you would like to contact Officer Alvarez, His phone number is (954) 828-6409.

Officers Studders and Scelfo arrested Alex Woody aka “White Boy” in the 1300 Block of North Dixie Highway for possession of marijuana. This arrest was the result of Woody being stopped and questioned regarding a bicycle offense. While being detained, the Officers found 5 zip-lock bags of marijuana in his possession.

Officers Studders and Scelfo also arrested a known juvenile drug dealer at Middle River Terrace Park. The Officers encountered the dealer while investigating him and two other youths lurking in the exercise equipment area after dark. While speaking with the group, the Officers noted crack cocaine in the dealer’s mouth; further investigation resulted in 2 ¼ pieces of crack being recovered and the dealer being charged with possession of cocaine.

On October 9, 2003 Officers Studders and Scelfo observed a Bahamian National, who was wanted for cocaine possession, riding an unregistered bicycle eastbound in the 600 Block of NE 16 Street. The Officers attempted to stop the suspect, which led to the suspect abandoning his bike and fleeing on foot. A perimeter was established with the assistance of District II Patrol and the Officers began a yard-to-yard search for the suspect. During the search, the subject burglarized a residence at 1709 NE 8 Avenue and offered the resident a large sum of money if he did not report him to the police. The resident refused and contacted the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The suspect then fled on foot and was later observed by Officer Scelfo as he was running westbound toward Fort Lauderdale High School. Officer Scelfo chased the subject as he ran onto Fort Lauderdale High’s campus. Once on campus, the suspect continued to flee across the football field where the football team was practicing. After the team realized the suspect was being chased by the police, members of the team apprehended the suspect and detained him until the police were able to take him into custody. The Community Support Division would like to thank the Fort Lauderdale High Football Team for their assistance and commend them for a job well done.

While investigating a domestic battery at 900 NE 16th Street, Officer Studders noticed that the building was illegally converted from a four-unit apartment building to a six-unit apartment building. The interior of the building had common doors that were barricaded shut and only four electric meters. This suspected violation was documented and forwarded to Code Enforcement for follow-up.

Officer Studders applied 5 red tags to derelict vehicles in the area and all of them complied. We continue to have problems with derelict vehicles despite the numerous red tags and tows. If you see a vehicle that appears to be derelict, please call Officer Studders at (954) 828-6405 or email him at cstudders@fortlauderdale.gov

The following information was included in last month’s newsletter, however we want to reiterate the location and times of these events to encourage participation by the residents:

Bicycle Rides are scheduled every Tuesday at 8 pm.

Crime Walks are scheduled every Friday at 7:30 pm.

Participants for both events meet at Middle River Terrace Park, 1400 North Dixie Highway. If you plan to attend the bicycle rides, please bring a legal bicycle. Each bicycle must have a light on the front and a red light on the rear. It also needs to be registered per City Ordinance 26-183. Bicycles can be registered at the Community Support Division, 533 NE 13 Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Your bicycle, one dollar and a legal state identification are required for the registration process.

At the October homeowners meeting, residents reported no new policing concerns. Pedestrian traffic in the northeast quadrant remains steady. Many of the known male prostitutes are serving time in jail or have left the area, and new faces have appeared. Component Two will continue to work with the Special Investigations Division to identify and arrest the new street prostitutes.

Several residents in the Flagler Heights area requested a special meeting with the Police Department to discuss problems in their neighborhood. Developer and neighborhood activist Claire Vickery arranged the meeting, which was attended by Major Bob Montagano, Captain Frank Adderley, Captain Paul Kiley, Officer Hugo Fontalvo and Officer Steve Scelfo. Ms. Vickery was concerned with suspicious activities at Club Vinyl, which recently opened on NE 5 Terrace. Several investigations of the club have already been conducted and there was no evidence of any criminal violations. The Police Department concluded the meeting by reiterating its commitment to utilize every legal means possible to clean up the area.

The Swiss Village action plan was successfully concluded. Pedestrian traffic, loitering, and drug sales are at an all time low. The cooperation of the new property owner has greatly assisted in cleaning up the area. The following statistics reflect the additional enforcement action taken by Officer Scelfo in this area:

• 6 arrests
• 16 traffic citations issued
• 43 investigative stops conducted
• 20 rolls of ecstasy seized
• 20 zanax bars seized
• 3 bicycle citations issued

Officers Brian Kaplan, Steven Scelfo and Sergeant Mark Furdon attended the South Middle River homeowners meeting. Officer Kaplan addressed concerns regarding code violations and criminal activities. The October Crime Walk was canceled due to a lack of participation. The next Crime Walk is scheduled for November 21, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at 501 NW 17 Street.

On October 3, 2003, Officer Kaplan initiated an action plan targeting the 1000 Block of NW 6 Avenue. This action plan addressed criminal and code violations. Since the action plan began, it was discovered that four residences did not have running water. All of the violators have moved. Seven abandoned vehicles were removed; bulk trash was removed from the swales and Officer Kaplan made two arrests, one for occupying a residence without running water and another for possession of marijuana.

While patrolling the South Middle River area on bicycle, Officers Brian Kaplan and Steve Scelfo arrested a known juvenile drug dealer at Warfield Park. The suspect was charged with possession of marijuana, obstruction by disguise, and had six outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants.

Other Enforcement Action:

• 26 arrests
• 50 traffic citations issued

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department recently participated in the Dorsey Riverbend Fall Fest, which was held on October 25th. There to support the community were members of the Mounted Unit, as well as officers and sergeants from the Community Support Division. Child Fingerprint ID Kits were distributed to parents and children were given coloring books, crayons and junior officer stickers. Also available was information regarding training offered by the Community Support Division. Though it rained throughout the day, there was a good turn out and everyone had a good time. Special recognition goes to Andrew and Erpha Thompson of A& E Accommodations who have provided refreshments for this event for the past four years.

FLPD Mobile Command Vehicle at Dorsey Riverbend Fall Fest Andrew and Erpha Thompson of A&E Accommodations providing food and refreshments

Officer Brian Kaplan and Sergeant Mark Furdon at Dorsey Riverbend Fall Fest

District III Captain Tom Harrington and Officer Roz Wilson attended the homeowners meeting. Residents expressed concerns about stop signs violations throughout the Riverside Park area; prostitution activity and illegal drug sales at 1808, 1812 and 1829 SW 11 Street; code issues at the abandoned Amoco Gas Station, 1905 SW 12 Street.

The Motor Unit was notified of the stop sign violations and Acting Sergeant Brian Fitzgerald, advises the Motor Unit will monitor this problem and report their findings in next month’s newsletter.

Officer Wilson contacted the property owners of 1808 SW 11 Street, Terry Tyler and Joseph Daley and they were informed of neighborhood concerns. They signed a trespass affidavit and are now in the process of evicting the tenant. Officer Wilson has been monitoring 1812 SW 11 Street and no illegal activity has been noted. However, 1829 SW 11 Street is a problem. The building has 6 apartments that are being rented to newspaper vendors. Residents at the meeting said that there is a lot of vehicle traffic at the location and the people who frequent the building appear to be drug users and prostitutes. Information was forwarded to the Street Narcotics Unit and Code Enforcement for follow-up. The owners of the property, Glynn Wilcox and Joseph Seassera were notified of the concerns and Component Three and District III Patrol will monitor this location. Since the meeting, several field interviews have been conducted.

Officer Wilson contacted the owner, Mohammed Haroon of the Amoco Gas Station, who also owns the adjacent Speedy Store complex. The neighborhood concerns were brought to Mr. Haroon’s attention and he informed Officer Wilson that he is in the process of replacing both buildings with a large office building.

Officer Michael Dodson is Sunset’s new community officer. He has been a member of the Fort Lauderdale Police department since 2001. Officer Dodson is being transferred from District III Special Problems Unit. If you would like to contact Officer Dodson, his phone number is (954) 828-6403.

US Customs Agent and Officer Madrigal

US Customs Agents and Officer Madrigal at Bayview Elementary

As Bayview Elementary School’s kick off to Red Ribbon week, an A-Star helicopter from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security visited the school. The school's 600+ students were in awe as the helicopter approached from the east. When it arrived at the school, it circled the campus, hovered and then landed in the school's field. Three pilots exited and the students listened to their presentation. The students were able to walk up to the helicopter and be photographed beside it. Bayview Elementary School’s Resource Officer, Duval Madrigal, was on hand to back up the presentation by the special agents and the students then observed a helicopter take off and hover as the agents notified the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport that they were entering their airspace.

Later that week, Officer Madrigal brought one of the Department’s drug detection K-9’s to the school for a demonstration. The goal of these presentations and demonstrations is to make the students aware of the tools the police use to combat drugs and illegal activity.

Westwood Heights Elementary: A special note of appreciation is extended to Officers Nina Justice and Anna Hernandez for taking the time to speak to the first and second grade classes about safety and law enforcement. Other activity: 29 students were counseled for behavior purposes and 9 parent conferences were conducted. The D.A.R.E. Program is almost completed and this year a total of five 5th grade classes participated in the program.

North Fork Elementary: Five students were counseled for behavior purposes which resulted into five parent conferences. Attended a class on campus entitled “A Bridge from me to you.”

Riverland Elementary Activity:

• 2 students received Police intervention counseling.
• Attended the Harvest Day Celebration
• Halloween Safety Presentation – K through second grade students

Stephen Foster Elementary: Patty Bryant of the Media Center coordinated Stephen Foster’s annual Red Ribbon Week Festivities. K-9 Officer Tim Shields conducted a narcotics detection demonstration with his partner “Sparky” for children in pre-kindergarten to second grade as the Street Narcotics Unit “Raiders” also participated in this event. Detective Sergeants Doug MacDougall and Paul Cristofaro and members of their unit provided an insight to the students regarding the daily operations of the unit.

Officer Tim Shields with Stephen Foster Elementary Students

Nothing this month.

Captain Lee Spector
District II Shift I

In response to some of the more persistent Shift One criminal activities in the central and north sectors of District Two, the Shift One Sergeants created an action plan to attempt to deter some of these crimes. As stated in the August Operations Newsletter for D2/S1, vehicle burglaries are one of the primary problems. The loss suffered in these types of crimes is frequently car stereo equipment and/or small portable items that can be easily concealed from view and culprits are often described as young males on bicycles.

One of the action plan’s primary tools is strict bicycle registration enforcement. As you are all aware, City ordinance, states all bikes must have a registration tag. This is an effective tool because it deters thieves from stealing a tagged bike and further aids the Police Department in recovering and returning many stolen bicycles to their owners. As one would expect, criminals do not abide by this ordinance. This allows Officers to confiscate the bike until proof of ownership can be offered. This is of no consequence to these offenders since the bikes they are riding are stolen but not necessarily reported.

During the last six weeks, Shift One Officers have been conducting this operation several nights a week, specifically targeting the neighborhood areas hardest hit by crime and the vicinities surrounding the late night convenience stores. These stores seem to attract unregistered bikes. On the average, Shift One Officers have recovered and/or confiscated approximately 15-20 bikes per night. During the last month, more than 90 bicycles were confiscated and a commensurate number of citations were issued. This action plan has also yielded arrests for outstanding warrants.

As a reminder, the bike ordinance exists for your protection. Visit the CSD building on NE 13 St. and register your bike. The cost is minimal and in the event your bike is stolen, the protection that the registration offers may provide a swift recovery.

Captain Steve Kinsey
DISTRICT 2 / SHIFT 3

Tom Harrington was promoted to the rank of Captain and is now the District 3/Shift 3 Commander. His innovative and creative problem-solving strategies had a dramatic impact in decreasing Part I Crimes in District 2.

We welcome (newly promoted) Sergeant Robert Dietrich to our District. He will supervise the north sector. Sergeant Dietrich was promoted out of the Criminal Investigations Division, specifically the Auto Theft Unit.

I encourage you to call me with any issues/questions or concerns.

Captain Steve Kinsey
District 2/Shift 3
954-828-5703

District III
Major Sharon Andersen

This is just another reminder regarding the Weapons of Mass Destruction exercise next month. The City will be hosting a full-scale WMD incident exercise on December 9th. A full-scale exercise means all participants will respond as they would in an actual incident. There will be multiple locations involved in the exercise including several hospitals in the City and throughout Broward County. This exercise is the culmination of both our participation in the grant and the entire NLD grant program and Fort Lauderdale is the last City to receive funding from the NLD program. As this will be the last exercise attributed to NLD, several high-level political and military officials are expected to be in attendance as observers.

All divisions of the Police Department will participate in the exercise or contribute to its success to some extent. If you are on duty during day shift hours on December 9th, you should have your Personal Protection Equipment on hand and be prepared to respond to a designated assignment. Also, if you have not picked up you Haz-Mat Smart Strip from Property Control, please make sure you get one prior to the exercise.

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 Dube 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 Laura Todaro-Gerity.

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 Laura Todaro-Gerity if you would like to schedule bicycle registrations during a community event.

Retirements	Anniversaries	Transfers
Mike Reed 20 years James Wright 28 years	Cynthia Wilburn 20 years

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.

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 NE 13 Street. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is distributing, at no cost, 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. Please call, 954-828-6400 for further information.

Landlord/Tenant Training, Wednesdays, November 19, 2003, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Community Support Division - 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. 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.

2nd Civilian Canine Academy – Wednesdays, October 22, October 29, November 5 and November 11, 2003, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Holiday Park Police Barn, 1100 G. Harold Martin Drive. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s K-9 Unit will be hosting this canine obedience training course which is open to all community members. This free course consists of 4 two-hour sessions and is open to canines 6 months and older and their owners. Call (954) 828-6428 to register for the class and contact K-9 Sergeant John Eaves at (954) 972-1455 with any questions.

20th Community Police Academy – February 2004. This 14-week program is offered to residents of the City of Fort Lauderdale, civic and government organization 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) 828-6428. You may also download an application from the Fort Lauderdale Police website at: www.flpd.org/cpa.html.

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