Council Crime/Public Safety Committee

April, 2006 Report

By Elizabeth Hays/Tim Smith

Due to hurricanes and other delays the committee did not meet until December 21^st.  At that meeting Major Paul Kiley led discussion of update on Chief Roberts 2005 Action Plan.  Middle River Terrace and South Middle River action had occurred.  He reported a full staff of PSA aides but more need to be trained.  By March or so, they should have full complement on the street.  Spoke of importance of PSAs and Parking Enforcement Specialists (PESs) after Hurricane Wilma.  At that time, there was high arrest rate and reduced crime rate (due to curfew).  Tactical unit was in action plus there was help from other communities; 135 came into City to help out.  A reassessment of emergency plans was needed and was being done.  Major Kiley felt that overall they were very well prepared for aftermath of Wilma and they responded well.  Dan Lewis suggested that in the orientation of new officers/PSAs that the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations give a short training session to orient the new officers to the neighborhoods and the involvement of the citizens in their individual neighborhoods.  The committee voted to make sure that when police officers attend civic association meetings, they introduce themselves to the association and are allowed to speak early so they can get quickly back out onto the street.  Current Crime Stats were distributed.  Again discussion ensued of being able to break stats down within a civic association to business, parks and residential.  Major Kiley indicated he would do this.  For all arrests, a big drop in 2004 from 2003 was noted.  Member concerns and comments included the following:  Les Hollingsworth commended the police in their support of the City during the hurricane and noted that the tactical unit is a great help.  Mark Hartman indicated that he is pleased that communication between agencies is better for Florida due to lots of experience.  He made a motion to request that the City fully fund the Park Rangers to reduce the need for police man power in the parks.  Motion was approved by the Committee.  Raj Jagad and Brad Cohen spoke about crack cam website which is www:crackcam.org that has been established.  Camera will be placed on private property.  Police will monitor and test this out.  Betty Hays mentioned her continued interest in addressing safety in the parks.  Tim Smith spoke about concern about street thugery and police response.  Jon Albee indicated he was optimistic that City will bring crime down.  Ryan Campbell indicated his concern about the Park Rangers as well.  Ted Fling spoke about a home invasion where tactical unit picked up and got three bad guys.

No meeting was held in January.  At February 15^th  meeting,  Betty Hays, Ted Fling and Genia Ellis spoke about the January 26^th meeting called by City Manager Gretsas to hear Chief Roberts interim report on progress of  2005 Action Plan.  Major Kiley gave an overview of this report at the committee meeting.  The numbers showed at 10% increase in crime in 2005 over 2004 and a 14% increase in 2004 over 2003.  The question was raised as to what more can now be done.  The loss of Community Policing in some of the more crime ridden neighborhoods was a factor and this will be returned in the future.  Organized gang activity is another problem in some areas. The department will be looking more closely at statistics.  It is important that association members communicate more with police and business owners.   The idea of a Crime Night at City Hall on April 11^th Council meeting was suggested.  Genia spoke about the downtown residents in the Riverwalk area that are getting organized.  Council needs to be involved and crime will be a concern to these new residents.  Major Kiley indicated that City-wide, they expect a decrease in crime.  The tactical unit work, the weekly COMSTAT meetings and quick response to changing trends and hiring of 70 officers should all help to reverse the trend of last year.  Graph circulated shows this trend.  As to member concerns and comments, Chair Smith expressed concern about minor crime as burglaries and peeping in window story.  Ted Fling asked about the Crime camera.  Is it working?  Yes, but not connected to police thus not implemented.  Other Cities do have private cameras.  Concern about liability issue in regards to these cameras was raised.

At March meeting, there was more discussion of the Council April 11^th meeting.  Council President Ellis indicated that all three district majors have been invited to give overview of action plans for neighborhoods.  Each neighborhood should bring neighborhood concerns to this meeting.  There was discussion of special units on bikes and horses in downtown, that there should be a crime prevention officer at each meeting, and beat watch should be publicized.  The January City Crime report looks good as does February report.  Property crimes were down 26% for January 06 compared to January 05.  March is often higher (due to Spring Break) and police are expecting and preparing for it.  Discussion then turned to priorities of committee as to both crime and public safety.  Ted Fling spoke about a proposal presented to City Hall for a beefed up CERT program.  Victoria Park members met with Manager Gretsas and gave him a 12 page report which he will review.  Each association needs designated contacts to work with CERT people to disseminate and collect neighborhood information.  Neighborhoods should make out a plan for their neighborhood.  Each should begin with a list of elderly, infirm, individuals with special needs, and other needs within the neighborhood.  Each should set up a calling tree and this should all be coordinated with the CERT team.  Motion made and approved with one vote against to ask Council to help the neighborhoods get the necessary information by providing a check list of things neighborhoods should do.  It was suggested that Genia Ellis and Betty Hays get together to prepare the check off list.  It was also moved that David Hebert be invited to April Crime/Public Safety Committee meeting to tell us about the City Plan.  This motion was approved unanimously.  Betty Hays expressed concern that committee needs to address other issues of public safety besides crime.  Les Hollingsworth felt that traffic calming is a public safety issue that we should address.  Tim Smith felt we should address the issue of “criminal elements”.  Raj Jagad would like to see some discussion of proactive use of technology.

Next meeting was scheduled for April 19th at 6pm at Capri.

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