(October 24, 2008) The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has just released its mid-year crime report for cities through-out the state.
The report shows a 20% decrease in the crime rate over the first six months of 2008 in the City of West Palm Beach.
This is the largest drop for any city it’s size in Florida.

Mayor Lois Frankel credits a multitude of strategies with this extraordinary accomplishment,”Strong cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, more officers on the streets, innovative police strategies, active participation of our citizens and programs for our youth are major factors in this accomplishment. Our reduction in crime translates into millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers because of reduced costs for enforcement and prosecution and the hardship and losses caused to victims.”

Chief Delsa Bush believes the hard work of her officers and enforcement of new legal and high-tech tools play a role “We were the first in the state to have an anti-gang ordinance, the first in the area with a downtown curfew for teens, and one of the first departments to utilize the latest technology such as remote cameras in high crime areas. Of course, the dedication of our officers is the key.”

This major reduction is not a statewide trend. Many areas are experiencing significant increases in crime…you can see the stats for the entire state by visiting this web address:

http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/UCR/2008/2008SA_County_Municipal_Off.pdf

The decrease represents almost 900 fewer crimes in the city to date this year.

Mayor Frankel asks all residents and visitors to continue their vigilance,” We know that there is still much work to be done. And we will work diligently to keep this trend going.”
 

For Additional Information: West Palm Beach Public Information Office Chase Scott (561) 822-1411

When:  Saturday, October 4th, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
Where:  Palm Beach Lakes H.S., 3505 Shiloh Drive

(10/03/08)  West Palm Beach Police will be working as volunteers, reaching out to the community and helping kids stay out of trouble at Police Athletic League football games on Saturday, October 4th, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.  The games are being held at Palm Beach Lakes High School located at 3505 Shiloh Drive in West Palm Beach.

Kids ages 5-15 participate in the league.  Police officers and volunteers work with the kids on teamwork concepts, personal responsibility and academics.  The Police Athletic League uses sports and other activities to engage at-risk children and deter juvenile crime.

08/06/07 - The City of West Palm Beach Police Department invites you to help us prevent crime by participating in the 26th Annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the WPB Police Department, 600 Banyan Blvd.

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March 22, 2007 - A new City of West Palm Beach Police Department community substation has opened on 1010 10th Street, completing a dramatic turnaround for a property that was once a drug house and a major problem spot in the surrounding neighborhood. The new substation will greatly increase police presence and visibility in the area, just off North Tamarind Avenue.

The station was dedicated by Mayor Lois J. Frankel, City Commission President Isaac “Ike” Robinson, Jr., Police Department leaders, City leaders and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) leaders. Members of the public and the neighborhood were invited to tour the facility after the ribbon cutting.

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February 27, 2007 - The City of West Palm Beach is taking a proactive approach to combating organized, violent crime by passing new anti-gang legislation. The new ordinance, passed unanimously by the City Commission on Monday, February 26, 2007, deems criminal street gangs and their use of a place a public nuisance.

“This ordinance will give our police an additional tool in their fight against gangs,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel. “This will help enable police to take an aggressive approach towards dealing with gang members, and will help us keep our neighborhoods and streets safe.”

The new ordinance allows the City to take a civil cause of action to fight the public nuisance created by gangs and their members. Gang members could be served court injunctions preventing them from showing up in certain public places. Violating that order would lead to their arrest, as well as the imposition of fines and possibly jail time.

Cities in both California and Texas have successfully obtained gang injunctions and have found them useful in taking back their neighborhoods and city parks that were once plagued by well-organized, violent gangs.

The City of West Palm Beach is the first law enforcement agency in Palm Beach County to embrace this innovative approach to helping fight gangs. The ordinance is just one piece of the City’s effort to fight gangs. The City is also focusing on keeping kids out of gangs through youth intervention, opening a Youth Empowerment Center in the City’s north end.

For Additional Information:
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer @
(561) 822-1433 / 822-1411 or webpio@wpb.org