Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Inc. is seeking nominations for its 2004 Awards Gala, which will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2004 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale at 5:30 p.m.

There are four award categories named to recognize and honor past and present Broward County civil and human rights pioneers: The Eula Johnson Pioneer Award, The Dr. James A. Sistrunk Humanitarian Award, The Atty. W. George Allen Education Award, and The Rev. George E. Weaver Faith/Spiritual Award.

Nominations should include a brief description of why the nominees should be considered for the award and submitted to Maureen LeBert at mlebert@mlkcc.org, or fax to 954-583-1366.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2004 Awards Gala will feature a VIP reception, musical concert and awards tribute. For ticket information, contact the MLK office at 954-660-7603.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Inc. is a Florida non-profit organization whose mission is to continue the legacy of Dr. King by “Continuing the Vision through Celebration, Education and Advocacy.” Its primary purpose is to host the annual MLK Parade and Festival on January 19, the Awards Gala on January 25 and essay contests in Broward County.

For more information, please call the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Inc. at (954) 660-7603 or via email at info@mklcc.org

During the month of November, the Lakeridge area experienced, an increase in burglaries. On November 26, 2003, Officer Martinez assisted District I Patrol units as they responded to a burglary in progress at 1216 NE 11 Avenue. Witnesses informed the officers that they observed a Black male inside the house, however the suspect was gone when the officers arrived. The officers then observed two Black male juveniles on NE 11 Avenue north of NE 13 Street; they attempted to stop the juveniles and this lead to a foot chase. A perimeter was established, the suspects were apprehended and items taken from the residence were recovered prior to taking them into custody. Burglary Detective Jack Gee is currently investigating three additional burglaries in the area with similar patterns; the two juveniles are suspects in those burglaries.

On November 10, 2003 a vehicle burglary occurred at 1112 NE 17 Terrace. Removed from the car was a cellular phone holder that was in plain view. Please be aware - do not leave valuables in plain view in your vehicle. Burglary is a crime of opportunity, do not give burglars an opportunity to make you a victim.

There has been a reduction in street level drug sales and prostitution along the Sunrise Boulevard Corridor. Additionally, there has been a reduction in derelict vehicles in the Lakeridge area. We attribute these reductions to our partnership with the Lakeridge residents. Component One says thank you for helping us keep your neighborhood safe. Once again, if you have any questions or comments please call your Community Officer, Hector Martinez at (954) 828-6416 or e-mail him at Hmartinez@fortlauderdale.gov.

Officer Scott Hickey is the newest member of Component One and replaces Sergeant Glenn Galt in Victoria Park. Sergeant Galt has updated Officer Hickey on the concerns in Victoria Park and he is well aware of the vehicle burglary pattern identified near Virginia Young Elementary and St. Anthony’s Catholic School during school dismissal hours. Since his assignment, Officer Hickey has been providing visibility and issuing beatwatches to parents in the 200 Block of NE 9 Avenue during after school dismissals. Beatwatches are issued to drivers leaving their vehicles unlocked or with visible valuables and serves to educate the public on how to secure their property.

Please feel free to contact Officer Scott Hickey if you have any questions or problems in your area. His phone number is (954) 828-6416 or you can e-mail him at Hectorma@fortlauderdale.gov.

Component One hosted two Shop with Cops events during November. One event was at the Eckerd Drug Store, 1 North Federal Highway and the other at Target Department Store, 3200 North Federal Highway. These events concentrated on the distribution of crime prevention information to Victoria Park and Coral Ridge residents. Area residents also registered their bicycles, obtained information on various community programs and received safety literature for their children. Thank you to Eckerd Drugs and Target for allowing Component One to host these successful events.

Officer Scott Russell, Homeless Outreach Officer, contacted 600 homeless individuals in the City and transported 292 homeless individuals to appropriate shelters and treatment facilities during November.

During November, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill nominated Officer Russell for the TIMES AWARD, which is the acronym for Targeting Individuals for Meritorious and Exemplary Service. This award recognizes six Broward County citizens who have demonstrated by their advocacy, a desire to improve the lives of persons who struggle with severe and persistent mental illness.

On November 25, 2003 Officer Brian Kaplan and Raider Sergeants Doug McDougal and Reggie Gillis attended the South Middle River homeowners meeting. Also in attendance were Commissioner Dean Trantalis, Acting City Manager Alan Silva and Chief Bruce Roberts. Residents were given an opportunity to ask our City leaders about the City budget cuts and possible police layoffs.

Many of the residents were concerned about the increase in burglaries in their neighborhood and Component Two is responding to this issue. In the past month, Component Two has increased its presence in the area and will continue to do so. As a reminder to all residents, if you observe suspicious activity in your neighborhood, please CALL THE POLICE!

There have been numerous complaints of street level drug activity at 1232 NW 5 Avenue. The property owner was notified and is assisting the police in solving this problem. Many of the problem tenants were evicted and there were three trespassing arrests during the month of November. There has been a significant reduction in pedestrian traffic at the residence and Component Two will continue to monitor this area.

During the month of November, K-9 Officer Tim Shields and his partner Sparky did an outstanding job addressing street level drug activity in South Middle River. They seized 150 crack cocaine rocks and 20 grams of marijuana at 1103 NW 7 Terrace.

Officers Studders and Scelfo observed a white male in Middle River Terrace acting in a manner that was consistent with a person attempting to purchase illegal drugs. The Officers watched the subject until he committed a pedestrian traffic offense. Contact was made and the officers developed information that led them to believe the subject was using a false name. Upon further investigation, the Officers determined the suspect’s actual identity, and learned that he had escaped from the Broward County Jail. Needless to say, he was taken into custody.

Officers Studders and Scelfo made contact with a juvenile drug dealer loitering at Middle River Terrace Park after dark. After speaking with the youth, the officers escorted him home to his adult sister, who is his guardian while his mother is residing in Haiti. The officers and the juvenile’s sister created a strict schedule for the juvenile which involves school and homework, which the sister agreed to enforce.

Officer Studders issued three red tags to derelict vehicles in the area with full compliance. 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, or if you have any questions, please call Officer Studders at (954) 828-6416 or email him at cstudders@fortlauderdale.gov

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

• Bicycle Rides are scheduled every Tuesday at 8:00 pm.
• Crime Walks are scheduled every Friday at 7:30 pm.

Participants for both events meet at the 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.

Pedestrian traffic remains steady in the northeast quadrant of Flagler Heights. Component Two will continue to work closely with the Special Investigations Division to identify and arrest street prostitutes. Some of the new faces in traffic can be attributed to the holiday season.

Officers Scelfo and Studders located an escaped convict loitering in the area of NE 8 Street and NE 5 Avenue. By his own admission, he was looking to engage in illegal prostitution to support his drug habit and was unaware of the heightened police presence in the area. He was arrested without incident and faces a minimum mandatory five-year sentence, if convicted. An additional five arrests were made in Flagler Heights and 24 field interviews were conducted.

Vehicle burglaries have decreased in Flagler Heights area compared to October, however, vehicle thefts have increased. Be sure to safely secure your vehicle at all times and report suspicious persons to the Police Department. View the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s website for the top ten list of stolen vehicles. If your vehicle is on that list, you are eligible to receive a free wheel locking device from the Community Support Division.

Please contact Officer Scelfo at 954-828-6409 for additional information.

Officer Luis Alvarez, the newest member of Component Two, replaced Officer Jaime Costas in Sailboat Bend and Dorsey Riverbend. Officer Costas has updated Officer Alvarez on the concerns previously expressed by the residents.

Officer Alvarez addressed the following issues in Sailboat Bend and Dorsey Riverbend:

• An increase in residential burglaries. This was evident after a careful review of the weekly crime maps. Officer Alvarez has created a working relationship with the District II burglary detectives to gather information and provide any additional assistance. He has maintained a high visibility in the area to deter crime. It should be noted sixteen investigative interviews were conducted.
• On November 17, 2003, Officer Alvarez noticed a suspicious vehicle driving slowly in Sailboat Bend looking in alleyways and approaching several pedestrians. He followed the vehicle and a records check revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen in the City of Oakland Park. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was arrested for auto theft.
• Dorsey Riverbend has also had a slight increase in residential burglaries. Officer Alvarez has also maintained high visibility in the area and has conducted 18 field interviews.
• There were 9 felony narcotics arrests and 6 misdemeanor arrests in Dorsey Riverbend

If you have any concerns or problems please feel free to contact Officer Alvarez via telephone at 954.828.6409, pager 954.875.2755 or email at LuisA@fortlauderdale.gov ______________________________________________________________________________

District II Shift I
Captain Lee Spector

During the week of November 16th, 2003, the City of Miami hosted the Free Trade Association of the America’s (FTAA) Summit. Based on observations from similar meetings held at locations in America and abroad, the command staff of the Miami Police Department recognized the potentially violent nature generated by some of the protestors.

In response, the Miami Police Department requested aid from neighboring municipal law enforcement agencies by way of field force (anti-riot) platoons. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department committed to sending one 45-officer platoon to Miami on Wednesday, November 19. As the week approached, intelligence reports indicated a greater potential for problems existed on Thursday, November 20. Because the first field force, ALPHA, was already committed to November 19, a second field force, BRAVO, was established. I was selected to lead this platoon.

BRAVO field force’s creation was ordered late Wednesday, November 12. By November 14, 45 officers, sergeants and captains had volunteered for the assignment. Many more officers volunteered but the size of the field force restricted the number of officers. Four days later, an eight-hour mission-specific training class was held to address the most recent intelligence, equipment needs and tactical refresher training.

On Thursday, November 20, BRAVO field force members assembled at 3:00 A.M. in preparation for a long day. We were scheduled to be on post by 5:30 A.M. but it was unknown when we would be relieved. By 8:00 A.M., BRAVO field force, along with field forces from the Miami Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and Broward Sheriff’s Office, were in direct contact with protestors, some wielding bags of human urine and fecal matter, rocks, bottles and slingshots loaded with bolts. During this initial clash, protestors hurled all of these items at officers. Arrests were made but property damage in this downtown business area was minimal. Police deployed both gas and less lethal weapons on several occasions but protestors were trained and equipped to defeat many of these devices. Even so, the combined efforts of the field forces effectively moved the protestors to the second staging area near the Bayside amphitheater where an AFL-CIO rally and march were scheduled later in the day.

Around 3:30 P.M., after several hours of diminished activity, the protestors made a rapid and concentrated dash at the front line of field forces, hoping to break through and interrupt the FTAA meetings held two blocks south. BRAVO field force, along with the numerous other law enforcement agencies on the skirmish line, held their position, repelling the protestors who had become violent once more. Gas and less lethal devices were deployed as punches, rocks, bottles and bags of urine flew were thrown and slingshot-propelled bolts were launched. More protestors were arrested and the order was given to push them out of the area.

Over the next two hours, the combined field forces pushed the protestors back to their staging area, some twenty blocks to the north. Having effectively accomplished the mission, BRAVO field force was instructed to return to the Bayside staging area and await further instructions. It was now approximately 6:30 P.M. We were finally relieved at 8:00 P.M., fifteen hours after assuming our posts and manning the front line all day.

Due to the coordinated and overwhelming police presence, rioters were contained and property damage was limited to minor acts of vandalism. We suffered only one officer injury, a sprained ankle. Members of the BRAVO field force represented the Fort Lauderdale Department in its finest tradition and in the most professional manner, honoring its long history of pride, courage and integrity.

District II Shift II
Acting Captain Ted Schendel

During the month of November, PSA Sappington received a bureau level commendation for her efforts in clearing a burglary of a business. While working SRO, PSA Sappington took a phone report of a suspicious incident. She received information that a possible suspect was in possession of a safe that was taken in a burglary of a restaurant.

While processing the report, she noticed on her computer screen, that a burglary had recently occurred at a restaurant. She called the restaurant and spoke with the manager who informed her that a safe was stolen from the restaurant. She responded to the restaurant and began to complete the report and gather additional information. During the investigation she learned that a male named “Mackenzie” had recently been fired as an employee. She shared this information with the Criminal Investigation Division. As a result of the information provided, a BOLO was issued for the suspect. Later in the day the suspect was apprehended and charged with burglary.

District II Shift III
Captain Steve Kinsey

During the month of November 2003, District 2/Shift 3 continued to handle police related calls for service as well as focus on ongoing action plans.

As the holiday season approaches, I would like to remind you of some important safety precautions to take to protect yourselves and your property. Although shopping for friends and loved ones is an enjoyable task, please remember the following when patronizing the stores and malls:

• Never leave any valuables in your vehicle in plain view. This just gives an opportunistic criminal the chance to break into your car and steal your belongings.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Park in well lit areas and have your keys ready as you approach your car. Also, visually check the back seat before entering.
• Lock all packages in your trunk or place them out of sight.
• Try not to carry large quantities of cash. It is safer and easier to use a debit or credit card.
• Additionally, once you have opened your packages, refrain from placing the boxes out in the trash.

Fold them and place them in appropriate containers. By doing so, thieves are unaware that you just got the latest TV and/or DVD player.

Due to the recent budget constraints, these are challenging times for your Police Department, although the Police Department is being asked to do more with less, we will continue to operate in a professional manner and serve the citizens to the best of our abilities.

As always, please feel free to call me with any issues/questions/or concerns.

Captain Steve Kinsey
954-828-5703

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	Recognition
Rita Ratkus 21 years Etta Spieker 13 years	Thomas Hill 30 years	Police Officers of the Month for November 2003 Detective Jack DiCristafalo Officer Ian Sklar Officer Joel Winfrey Civilian Employee of the Month for November 2003 PSA Scott Bailey Life Saving Award for November 2003 Officer Patrick O’Brien
Promotions
Robert Dietrich to Police Sergeant Glenn Galt to Police Sergeant Thomas Harrington to Captain

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, January 21, and February 18, 2004, 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.

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***