WPB PD Officers Receive National Award

Sep 30, 2009 - Police/Crime Prevention

When: Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Where: WPB Police Headquarters Community Room

Each Year the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) selects an Officer of the Year and 10 officers from around the country for honorable mention awards.  Parade Magazine then features the officers in a national article.

The West Palm Beach Police Department has, not one, but two officers Richard Birch and David Weeks, being recognized with awards and whose stories will be featured nationally in this Sunday’s Parade magazine. They will be officially recognized on October 6th in Denver, Colorado during the IACP conference.

Northwood Village Back in the Spotlight

Sep 25, 2009 - Newsletter

Northwood Village, a West Palm Beach shopping, dining and entertainment district, is finding itself back in the spotlight.  Two City of West Palm Beach programs in Northwood Village have been honored for being among the best redevelopment projects in the state of Florida.

The Florida Redevelopment Association (F.R.A.) recognized the Northwood Village Art and Wine promenade with the “Cultural Enhancement” award.  The F.R.A. also recognized the Northwood Village Merchant Assistance program with the “Creative Organizational Development and Funding” award.

“The businesses in Northwood Village should be thrilled with this news,” said City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel. “I also would like to congratulate the C.R.A. staff for their hard work and dedication in making these awards possible.”

This isn’t the first time Northwood Village has been recognized for excellence.  The C.R.A. was also honored with a Maxi Award from the International Council of Shopping Centers in 2007 for Northwood Village’s marketing excellence.

The central shopping area of Northwood Village revolves around three main streets:  Northwood Road, 24th Street and 25th Street.  The eclectic district features unique dining, fun shops and original entertainment.  Sixteen new businesses have opened their doors in Northwood Village in 2009, and all sixteen are still in operation and serving their customers.  Northwood Village is part of the City of West Palm Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency and is an area targeted for redevelopment.

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For Additional Information:
Peter Robbins
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer
Office:  (561) 822-1433 or probbins@wpb.org

West Palm Beach: Safer Every Day

Sep 24, 2009 - Mayor's Office

For the third year in a row the City of West Palm Beach is getting safer.  The crime rate is at an all-time low, dropping a whopping 29% since 2007.

According to numbers released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, serious crime dropped 15.5% in West Palm Beach during the first six months of 2009 when compared to the first six months of 2008.  The biggest drops were in motor vehicle thefts (down 39.8%), burglaries (down 21.9%) and robberies (down 12.2%).  This follows a 19% drop in crime in 2008 and 17.9% drop in 2007.

While there are numerous strategies being employed by the City to increase safety, one of the key factors is the active participation of citizens in reporting suspicious activity. “As our calls for service have increased,” said Mayor Lois Frankel, “our crime has decreased.  We like to tell our residents ‘If you see something, say something.’  Clearly residents are picking up the phone and making a difference by reporting suspicious or criminal activity.”

People are always encouraged to call 911 to report emergencies.  Non-emergency situations can be reported to 561-822-1900.

A full breakdown of the numbers is available at www.fdle.state.fl.us/fsac/ucr/.

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For Additional Information:
Peter Robbins
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer
Office: (561) 822-1433
probbins@wpb.org

S. Dixie Highway Drainage, Utility Improvements Continue

Sep 10, 2009 - Mayor's Office, Traffic

The City of West Palm Beach is making infrastructure improvements along Monroe Drive, including at the intersection with Dixie Highway.  As a result of the project, South Dixie Highway will be closed to traffic at Monroe Drive until approximately November 14, 2009.  As part of the project, the City will be upgrading stormwater pipes, which will improve drainage and help reduce flooding in the area for both homes and businesses.  The City is also upgrading aged water lines, resulting in better service for customers and improved fire protection for the area.

Residents, businesses, and their customers will continue to have access to their destinations along Dixie Highway during this period.  Through traffic should detour via either Olive Avenue or Parker Avenue.

WPB City Connect Newsletter for September 9, 2009

Sep 09, 2009 - Newsletter

In this edition of City Connect;

- Roebuck Rd. Update from Mayor Lois Frankel
- Calling All Businesses
- Watch City Budget Meetings on West Palm TV
- Get “E-Gov” Help at the WPB Library
- Special “Symmetry” Edition of CityConnect

Click here to view the September 9, 2009 edition of WPB CityConnect.