(Friday, December 19, 2008)  West Palm Beach residents hoping to learn more about public safety and get involved in their City government have an exciting new opportunity.

The West Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue Departments will be offering a 13-week Citizen Police and Fire Academy to the public.  Space is limited, so sign up today!  The classes will be on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. starting January 26, 2009.  The class will meet at the Police Department on Banyan Boulevard.

The academy will immerse students in every area of both the Police and Fire Rescue departments.  Activities will include a four-hour police ride along, fire station tours and demonstrations of the latest public safety technology.  The course provides lessons in police and fire work that the average citizen rarely has an opportunity to experience.

To register for this exciting course, call Officer Kelly Carsillo at 561-822-1620.

(Friday, December 19, 2008)  The City of West Palm Beach is beginning a major new redevelopment effort in Coleman Park, one of the City’s oldest neighborhoods.

In recent years, the neighborhood has been marred by blighted conditions and illegal activity.  The City will be kicking off the Coleman Park Neighborhood Improvement Initiative with a neighborhood walk, encouraging residents to walk and talk with City staff and find ways to make Coleman Park a better place.  People interested in joining the neighborhood tour should meet at the Coleman Park Community Center, located at 1116 21st Street, at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2008.

The neighborhood walk is just the beginning of what will be an intensive effort to restore and revitalize Coleman Park.  The City has stepped up Code Enforcement efforts in the area to clean up deteriorating structures and overgrown lots.  The West Palm Beach Housing Authority has announced plans to demolish and rebuild Dunbar Village, reconnecting it with the surrounding neighborhood.  The City will encourage business development, home rehabilitation and increases in homeownership.  The City will also use federal dollars to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed properties.

The planning process will engage area residents and businesses, getting them to shape and embrace the rebirth of their neighborhood.  Throughout the process, residents will be encouraged to share their ideas, concerns and vision for Coleman Park.  Neighborhood charettes will also be a critical part of the process.