ARGATHA GILMORE, CHIEF OF POLICE

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1 ARGATHA GILMORE, CHIEF OF POLICE

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3 ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE What a tremendous amount of change we see from year to year as law enforcement officers of the Lake City Police Department. The need for police services continues to grow as the population of the City and surrounding area increases. We are on the edge of massive growth with the revitalization of the historic downtown area and new businesses coming into our City. These are exciting events happening within our City. As Chief of Police, I continue to reach higher in my quest to be a premier law enforcement agency in Florida, and I appreciate having excellent members of my Department who assist me in these efforts. Our technological advances strive to keep pace with the availability of mobile devices to assist us in our everyday responses to the citizens of our community. As you can see from this Annual Report, we have made great progress in providing quality customer service to the citizens of Lake City. This report gives a snapshot into the past year of our Department, and a view of our strategic goals for the future. Since 2011, our investigative clearance rate has increased from 18.1% to 24.2%. We will continue to conduct directed patrol enforcement, maintain high visibility, provide educational and prevention programs, and deploy our resources to combat crime patterns and trends. As Chief of Police, my open-door policy is extended to you. I believe in fostering excellent community relations between your police department and the citizens we serve, and welcome your suggestions. We see an influx of citizens seeking to work with the Lake City Police Department to resolve community issues; our combined efforts will ensure we keep our beautiful gem of a City a safe place to live, work, play, and visit. 2

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5 COMMAND STAFF Assistant Chief of Police Gerald Jerry Butler, Jr. Support Division Commander Lt. John Stock Operations Division Commander Lt. Clint VanBennekom 4

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7 Index Trends and Issues 8 Strategic Plan 16 Operations Division 20 Crash Analysis 26 Traffic Citation Audit 30 Support Division 34 Criminal Investigations Division 38 Criminal Interdiction Unit 44 Office of Professional Standards 48 Special Unit Review 54 K-9 Unit 56 Honor Guard Unit 58 Traffic Oriented Policing (TOP) Unit 60 Juvenile Programs 64 Community Relations Unit 68 Crime Prevention Unit 78 6

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9 TRENDS AND ISSUES ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE 8

10 INTRODUCTION The previous several years have presented many of the same challenges faced by the men and women working in law enforcement across our nation. While struggling with financial limitations faced by all municipalities, the Department has worked diligently to find ways to maintain a high level of public safety services for a growing city population. Our community s transient population (visitors and commuters traveling to town for work) directly contributes to the level of traffic and criminal activity. The impact of two major Interstate Highways intersecting in Lake City, along with several major north/south, and east/west state roads, is significant on the transient population of our city. Anyone who lives in, or visits Lake City, sees firsthand the impact of the additional vehicles and traffic. Citizens perspectives on crime are influenced largely by what happens in their immediate neighborhood and areas in which they work. The key to successful property related crime control is community partnerships that help inform residents and businesses about how to protect their property, and building active crime prevention programs. The Department s enforcement strategies, including expansion of Crime Prevention Programs, have been developed and implemented to reduce property crime in specific areas. For FY16, the challenge will be to continue to maintain the pressure on offenders while at the same time enhancing operations to reduce property crime. This will continue to be accomplished through active Directed Patrols and enhanced Community Oriented Policing strategies and programs, along with early intervention programs and aggressive investigation of criminal activity. Quarterly Breakfast with the Chief meetings help bring citizens together with the Department to directly discuss issues of concern to the community, and the Citizens Police Academy educates the public about law enforcement programs and initiatives. 9

11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Completed a three year review of accreditation and were recommended for re-accreditation through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Officers Hardison and Hightower each became certified with new K-9 partners Memnoch and Inca, respectively, and have successfully incorporated their K-9 partners in both Operations and Criminal Interdiction roles. Officer Bruenger has been selected as the newest K-9 handler and is currently in training with K-9 Falcor. The Traffic Oriented Policing (TOP) was staffed and began operations, including assisting the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force. A Federal grant was applied for, and approved, to outfit officers with body worn cameras. COMMUNITY POPULATION AND TRENDS There remains a significant difference between the city s resident population of approximately 12,000, and the service population for the Police Department, which is estimated at 65,000 daily. Lake City is the only major urban community in the surrounding area and has two major interstates intersecting the city limits. The number of people who may potentially need public safety services is far greater than the resident population. 10

12 A major issue affecting the crime rate is the use of drugs, both illegal narcotics and prescription drug abuse. As addicts and abusers seek new ways to purchase their drug of choice, many turn to crime to support their habit. This is becoming more evident as prescription drug abuse begins to affect those persons formerly thought to be at lower risk due to socio-economic and demographic backgrounds. An additional concern is Lake City s location in relation to major interstate intersections, and accessibility to out of state purchasers of prescription narcotics. While Florida has taken aggressive steps towards the investigation and prosecution of pill mills, continued vigilance is necessary to insure that prescription drug abuse does not continue to become an increasing problem. As part of the Lake City Police Department s efforts to combat illegal drug use and availability, the Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) has been staffed and has begun working Interstate Criminal Enforcement, as well as working closely with the North Florida HIDTA Initiative. The HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) Initiative includes members from other area, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies working together to identify and dismantle drug trafficking groups. Total Crimes CRIME IN LAKE CITY FIVE-YEAR TRENDS Overall Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Crime % Change Violent Crime % Change Nonviolent Crime % Change Population % Change Crime Rate % Change , , , , , , , , , , , , An analysis of Uniform Crime Report statistics, as reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the previous five (5) years, reveals there has been an increase in both violent and non-violent crimes since 2011, with a slight decrease in

13 ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES The Department s strategic plan identifies primary enforcement areas that are being aggressively pursued with coordinated plans: Burglary Larceny Proactive narcotics investigation and enforcement High visibility traffic enforcement as a crime prevention tool Crime by the numbers Larceny Burglary Agg Assault Robbery Veh Theft Sex Offences Murder 1% 0% 3% 3% 14% 13% 66% Enforcement priorities are identified through analysis of crime in Lake City, which reveals that Larceny and Burglary constitute the majority of crimes investigated. 12

14 WORKLOAD TRENDS AND OUTCOME MEASURES The Department s focus on its two primary missions responding to calls for service and investigating criminal offenses requires close monitoring of two outcome measures that reflect efficiency and effectiveness. The first measure is response times to priority one and priority two calls for service. The two types of calls for service are defined as: Emergency calls: require immediate dispatch (e.g., felonies in progress, life threatening calls or calls with injuries, and alarms reporting crimes in progress). All other calls: require dispatch within five minutes from receipt of the call (e.g., assaults, all hazardous traffic situations, traffic crashes without injury that are blocking traffic, calls in progress not threatening life or property, missing persons involving individuals unable to care for themselves). While these types of calls are of the highest priority, they make up only a small percentage of all calls for service. Because of a growing service population and the associated demand for public safety services, the total number of calls for service peaked in 2011, then decreased annually through 2013, and increased again in 2014 and Calls Answered 13

15 The overall trend for response times has been a gradual increase since FY11. While there is no industry standard, the Department has a long-standing goal of responding to all emergency calls for service within two minutes and routine calls within five minutes. Over the last twelve months, new officers have been hired and successfully completed the field training program. These officers are filling patrol vacancies so the average response times for calls for service are expected to improve. The Criminal Interdiction Unit and Traffic Oriented Policing Unit were fully staffed during this period, which resulted in an increase in the total number of calls answered in The second outcome measure closely tracked by the Department is the clearance rate of UCR crimes. A crime is considered cleared primarily if a suspect is arrested and charged with the offense, or a warrant is issued for the suspect and there is a subsequent arrest. UCR Clearance Rates in % UCR Clearance Rates in % The Lake City Police Department is slightly behind the national average for UCR Clearance of 25% for

16 The Department currently does not have a means of tracking those individuals who have been arrested by other agencies on warrants issued because of our criminal cases. As a result of this analysis, the Department has developed a pro-active approach to reflect an increase in UCR clearance rates. In the past, officers filed charges through the State Attorney s Office on many cases when a physical arrest was not required, or was impractical for operational purposes. Working in conjunction with the Third Circuit State Attorney s Office, these cases are now closely tracked and notification of the prosecution outcome is provided to the Department on every case. These cases can now be more accurately closed and cleared to reflect UCR clearance requirements. 15

17 STRATEGIC PLAN ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE 16

18 Strategic Planning Process The Police Department s strategic planning process is used to set and update department-wide goals and objectives. Each of the goals and objectives support the vision and mission statement of the Department. Mission: The Lake City Police Department is dedicated to protecting lives and property while upholding the constitutional rights of all people and to building community partnerships with integrity, excellence and professionalism in providing the highest level of service to our citizens. As part of the strategic planning process, the Department identified three goals: Improve crime fighting efforts Improve technology as a tool for success Provide the best possible Customer Service These goals will serve as the central focus for the 2016 Strategic Plan. The following objectives will help move the Department toward accomplishing each of the stated goals. Outcomes for each objective will be total measures for the following fiscal year. Objectives Actions/Accountability Objective 1: Improve response time to calls for service Operations Division: -Maintain an average staffing level of five patrol officers per shift (including one supervisor) -Workload analysis to determine deployment efficiency and identify strategies -Monitor average response time and analyze for improved processes Special Operations: -Continued manpower assistance when patrol staffing reaches minimum staffing Support Bureau: -Continued manpower assistance when patrol staffing meets minimum staffing 17

19 Objective 2: Reduce the impact of alcohol and drugs on property crime and quality of life through increased enforcement Actions/Accountability Operations Division: -Crime-specific directed patrol activities -Directed Patrol enforcement actions in known problem areas -Increased DUI enforcement Special Operations (Criminal Interdiction Unit, HIDTA): -Proactive street level enforcement -Narcotics buy/busts in coordination with HIDTA and area agencies -Continued investigation of prescription drug abuse -Continued investigation of meth labs and precursors Outcomes DUI/ Alcohol investigations with arrest Narcotic investigations with arrest ASSISTANT CHIEF GERALD BUTLER 18

20 Actions/Accountability Objective 3: Reduce traffic crashes through proactive enforcement Operations Division: - Proactive traffic enforcement at the patrol level Special Operations: - Develop directed patrols for the Traffic Unit to target identified needs - Utilize non-traditional vehicles to conduct enforcement - Implement public service announcements informing citizens of our new strategy Outcomes Total number of traffic crashes Objective 4: Reduce burglary/property crime by 2% yearly through proactive patrol and enforcement, and intensive investigation Actions/Accountability Operations Division: - Proactive patrol and enforcement of suspicious persons and loitering - Improved follow up and investigation on scene of reported property crimes - Improved collection of evidence on scene of property crimes - Directed patrols of known problem areas with the intent to identify and deter suspects Criminal Interdiction Unit: - Proactive enforcement of narcotics offenses to impact related property crimes - Development of confidential informants and intelligence information to forward to CID Criminal Investigations: - Continued aggressive investigation of burglary and property crime cases - Build and implement an effective intelligence data base - Develop additional confidential informants/intelligence sources - Improved follow up of inactive cases for new/additional leads - Develop and implement undercover operations where appropriate Outcomes Reduction in total burglaries reported Reduction in total larceny reported

21 OPERATIONS DIVISION ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Lieutenant Clint VanBennekom Operations Division Commander 20

22 Introduction and Overview The Operations Division is responsible for Uniform Patrol, the K-9 Unit, and Communications. The mission of this Division is the preservation of life and property; to preserve the peace; to prevent crime and disorder; to enforce state laws and local ordinances; and to provide public service to the citizens of Lake City. Uniform Patrol is the backbone of the Police Department and the most visible in the community. Patrol services are the foundation of law enforcement. When new officers join the Department, their first assignment is patrol: working nights, weekends and holidays. Patrol Officers respond to everything from burglaries in progress to noisy animals; family disturbances to traffic collisions. The Operations Division is currently led by Lieutenant Clint VanBennekom. It is staffed with 4 Sergeants, 18 Sworn Officers, and 1 Reserve Police Officer. The Public Safety Communications center is staffed with 1 Supervisor and 12 Public Safety Communications Officers. The Patrol Division utilizes four shifts of 12-hour work schedules to maximize zone management and three geographical patrol zones: north, south, and west. These geographical zones are designed to optimize response times to calls for service, while providing round the clock zone coverage to both business and residential areas. During 2015, the Department handled an average of 3,394 calls for service per month, including officer-initiated activities. These include calls related to criminal investigations, traffic collisions and suspicious circumstances, domestic violence cases, driving under the influence of alcohol, alarms at residential and commercial buildings, and calls to assist other agencies such as the Department of Veteran s Affairs Police Department, and other area law enforcement, fire, and emergency services. The Communications Center is responsible for the receipt and dispatch of all police, fire, and afterhours public works calls. Police and fire are dispatched directly; ambulance calls are transferred to for receipt and dispatch. Walk-in services are offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 21

23 The Communications Center received 43,436 calls via direct line, walk-in, and transfer during 2015; 99 % were answered in less than 10 seconds. Major Accomplishments Completed a three year review of accreditation and were recommended for re-accreditation through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Continued to administer the Department of Transportation Traffic Safety DUI enforcement grant and coordinate the enforcement patrols and checkpoints. Implemented bicycle patrols with two new bicycle officers. Certified 2 new K-9 handlers Obtained grant funding for the purchase of officer worn body cameras 22

24 For Fiscal Year 2016, the challenge will be to maintain the pressure on offenders while at the same time enhancing operations and building partnerships within the community. This will continue to be accomplished through active Directed Patrols and proactive policing strategies and programs. Directed Patrols are operational plans developed by the Department s Operations and Support Divisions. The plans encompass the main components of Intelligence Led Policing: Timely analysis of intelligence. -The intelligence is shared among Divisions and placed into Directed Patrol plans. -The results of operational plans are evaluated and adjustments are made to increase likelihood of continued success. Directed Patrols are developed and implemented to address seasonal periods when crime historically increases, i.e. holiday season and summer breaks for the schools, festivals and large events, and to address emerging crime trends. The planning process begins with identifying the problem areas within our city. Supervisors meet and discuss the resource options best suited to bring about the desired outcome. The Operations Commander will create the plan and brief each section on their roles and responsibilities. Daily updates will be provided to units in order to make plan adjustments. Command level personnel will be briefed as requested and at the conclusion of the operation. Outside of the Directed Patrol process, Command Staff members meet weekly to discuss enforcement strategies aimed at the reduction of our primary enforcement areas. Department supervisors use these meetings as a time to discuss progress of strategies and/or make requests of other units for assistance with a particular crime problem. 23

25 Statistical Trends The following calls for service were received in 2015 as a result of citizen complaints and officer initiated activity: 2015 Total Calls: 40,728 Officer initiated Calls: 18,569 Homicide Investigated: 4 Burglary Investigations: 447 Robbery Investigations: 35 Assault Investigations: 513 Sex Offense Investigations: 14 Theft Investigations: 1459 Drug Investigations: 241 Criminal Mischief: 178 Missing Persons: 67 DUI Investigations: 39 Warrant Arrests: 187 The following actions were taken as a result of these investigations and Selfinitiated activity: Incident Reports Written: 3920 Arrests made: 1006 Warrants requested: 949 Traffic Citations Issued: 1534 Traffic Warnings Issued: 4618 Traffic Crash Investigations: 513 Accident Injuries:

26 UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS 2011 through 2015 (Annual) Offense Homicide Rape Aggravated Assault/ Battery Robbery Offense Burglary Larceny Auto Theft Arson Auto Theft Recovery Stolen Local & Recovered Local Stolen Local & Recovered by Other Jurisdiction Stolen Other Jurisdiction & Recovered Local Total Amount Stolen/ Recovered Robbery (Stolen) Property Values (Stolen) Property Values (Recovered) $8,435 $13, $7,227 $23,417 $16,298 $824,333 $806,102 $755,997 $742,951 $1,005,924 $250,857 $236,017 $347,217 $328,064 $220,479 Annual Clearance Rate Clearance

27 CRASH ANALYSIS ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE 26

28 2015 Crash Analysis The Lake City Police Department continues to make traffic safety education and awareness a priority. Our Traffic Oriented Policing Unit and Patrol Division provide response to traffic crashes within the limits of Lake City to ensure scene safety, assist persons involved, and provide thorough and accurate crash investigation. The City of Lake City s incorporated limits include several major roadways, including Interstate 10 and Interstate 75, US Highways 90, 41, and 441, and State Roads 10A, 47, 100, and 247. In addition to Lake City s resident population, these roadways serve as throughways for high levels of transient traffic, which contributes greatly to vehicle density and roadway use. US 90 West near the Interstate 75 interchange continues to be one of the most highly utilized traffic corridors in the city. According to the most recent Annual Average Daily Traffic Report by the Florida Department of Transportation, approximately 35,500 unique vehicles travel on US 90 (0.1 mi east of SR 247). 27

29 In 2015, the Lake City Police Department worked 513 traffic crashes (962 total vehicles involved). 181 of these crashes involved injuries (261 total people injured). Two of these crashes were fatal. Nine crashes involved pedestrians, one of which was fatal. The most common time of day for a crash to occur in Lake City was between 12pm-1pm. The fewest crashes occurred between 4pm-5pm. 28

30 Approximately 50.2% of the crashes within Lake City occur inside of an intersection (258 crashes out of 513). The remaining crashes occur on roadways either outside of intersections or on private property such as parking lots. The highest concentrations of crashes in 2015 occurred at these intersections: US 90 & Commerce Dr. US 90 & Bascom Norris Dr. US 90 & State Road 247 US 41 & SW Baya Dr. US 41 & State Road 47 US 90 & US 441 US 90 & SW Real Terrace US 90 & I-75 S/B Ramp Interchange US 41 & NW Madison St State Road 47 & SW Bascom Norris Dr. Alcohol use was involved in 22 crashes, including one fatality. Drug use was involved in 11 crashes. Distracted Driving was a factor in 11 crashes. 78 Crashes were hit-and-runs, including one fatality. The most common violations that caused crashes in 2015 were: Failure to Yield 90 Crashes (66 Injuries) Careless Driving 78 Crashes (47 Injuries) Following Too Closely (Tailgating) 60 Crashes (37 Injuries) Improper Backing 35 Crashes (4 Injuries) Violation of Traffic Control Device (Red Light / Stop Sign) 20 Crashes (23 Injuries) 29

31 TRAFFIC CITATION AUDIT ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE 30

32 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW A traffic citation audit of calendar year of 2015 was conducted on February 11, Between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, officers of the Lake City Police Department issued a total of 1560 traffic citations to include both moving and non-moving violations. One of the primary goals of the traffic citation audit was to review missing citations for the purpose of ruling out improper conduct by officers, and to demonstrate that citations are being properly issued, processed, and documented when voided. Citation Issuance The Department utilizes both electronic and paper citations. Electronic citations are issued automatically by the Smart Cop system, and logged within the system. As an officer requires additional citation numbers, they draw them from an electronic bank within the system, and return unused numbers when they terminate service with the Department. Traditional paper citations are issued to an individual officer, one book at a time, by the records custodians on an as-needed basis. These citations are then manually entered into the Smart Cop system by the records custodian. Citation Review A review of the most commonly issued citations, by Florida State Statute number, reveals that the vast majority of citations issued were for traffic violations (violation of FSS 316) followed by license violations (FSS 322) and tag violations (FSS 320) 31

33 The following chart displays citation data for the Lake City Police Department by violation category for , , Traffic Stops Citations Warnings Misdeameanor Infractions DUI Investigations Traffic Homicide TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT ANALYSIS Citations 483 Traffic Violations (FSS 316) Tag Violations (FSS 320) 863 License Violations (FSS 322) 211 Insurance Violations (FSS 324) The above chart provides a visual display of traffic enforcement trends for the previous five years. Citation Voiding and Audits 32

34 Officers who wish to void a citation must request this in writing using form PD-07, outlining the reason the citation should be voided. This form must be approved by the officer s chain of command, including the Chief of Police. This process assures that all voided citations are properly documented. In addition, a records custodian conducts monthly audits of the system to insure the process of issuing and transmitting Mobile Forms e-citations is properly completed, and all citations are accounted for. This system insures accurate reporting and accountability for all citations issued by officers. The Department s efforts in documenting citation issuance and transmittal also insure against the appearance of impropriety and allow for thorough and accurate data collection regarding citation distribution, possession, and issuance. 33

35 SUPPORT DIVISION ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Lieutenant John Stock Support Division Commander 34

36 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The Support Division is responsible for the Criminal Investigations Division, Office of Professional Standards, Accreditation, Community Relations, Crime Prevention, Property and Evidence, and Records. The Support Division is led by Lieutenant John Stock. It is staffed with 3 Sergeants, 6 Sworn Officers, and 7 civilian personnel. The mission of the Support Division is to provide the essential support necessary to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of police services. This is accomplished through an interactive network of specialized and distinctively diverse activities, which both support and strengthen the police mission. The mission of the Investigations Unit is to identify, target, arrest and successfully prosecute individuals involved in criminal activity as well as recover any stolen property. The Investigations Unit consists of 3 Investigators and is supervised by an Investigator Sergeant. The Investigators assigned to the Investigations Unit are carefully selected based on experience, work ethic and the ability to conduct in-depth criminal investigations. 35

37 These officers investigate complex and demanding cases, which could take months, sometimes years. Our investigators have developed an advanced level of expertise by attending specialized training and by working complex cases with colleagues at the local, state, and federal level. During 2015, the Investigators were assigned 518 criminal investigations, resulting in criminal charges being filed in 220 cases, for an average clearance rate of 43%. Crime prevention is essential to every city. The Crime Prevention Unit has educated many residents, groups and individuals on the importance of crime prevention and how not to become a target of a crime. This is accomplished through presentations, classes and as guest speakers throughout the City. Twice a year, the Community Relations office oversees the coordination of the Citizen s Police Academy. The Citizen s Police Academy is an informative and exciting 12-week classroom series that gives an inside look at Lake City Police Department operations and the life of a police officer. The purpose of this class is to promote a greater awareness and better understanding of local law enforcement's continuously changing role in the community. The Records Unit is responsible for data entry of incident reports, arrests, citations, traffic collisions, towed vehicles, field contacts and warrants. This includes the maintenance, dissemination and security of all documents to include processing, storing, scanning, retrieving and releasing documents to appropriate government and law enforcement agencies, and the public. The Evidence and Property Technician is responsible for the proper collection, control, storage, safekeeping, release and disposal of all property and evidence that comes under control of the Lake City Police Department. The Evidence Technician s primary assignment is to accept, log, classify, store, dispense, destroy and release property and evidence to its rightful owner, for court presentation and/or for destruction and auction. This unit has constant checks and balances including audits, inventories and random spot checks performed throughout the year to assure all policies are being followed. The technician must not only be familiar with the laws regarding evidence handling, but also safety regulations for hazardous items. 36

38 The Office of Professional Standards is responsible for Training, Accreditation, and Internal Affairs Investigations. The Lake City Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality police services to those who live, work and visit our city. The Professional Standards Division accomplishes this mission by: Providing and coordinating quality training in order to ensure the continuous improvement of employees. Ensuring that the Department maintains compliance with state laws and accreditation standards. Developing department-wide policies to meet current best practices and legal guidelines, and training department personnel on policy matters. Ensuring fair and equal treatment of citizens and employees by investigating allegations of employee misconduct and compliance with Department policies and procedures. 37

39 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Sergeant Jason Byrd CID Supervisor 38

40 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Currently, the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) consists of one CID Sergeant and three Investigators. The CID Sergeant is responsible for the day to day operations of the unit, as well as monitoring and properly disseminating intelligence information as it is developed and received. CID Intelligence Activities for FY 2015 During 2015, the Lake City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division facilitated the sharing of intelligence internally and externally to law enforcement professionals in the region and throughout the state. The following is the 2015 synopsis of CID intelligence activity. CID received and disseminated criminal intelligence gathered by members of the department and other Law Enforcement Agencies. The intelligence is gathered by various means. It is then disseminated to the appropriate section or unit for investigation. o CID received numerous s and telephone call each week from other law enforcement agencies with requests for assistance o CID collected intelligence through interviews to solidify information received o CID produced 62 intelligence bulletins for distribution internally as well as to other agencies o CID received in excess of 300 intelligence bulletins from federal, state and local agencies. These bulletins were compared to existing LCPD intelligence and information and evaluated for applicability in our jurisdiction. The bulletins were forwarded to specific LCPD units based on topic, and bulletins requiring formal dissemination to all LCPD officers were distributed via . o CID responded to numerous requests for assistance in identifying suspects for out of state agencies o Members of CID are system administrators for ROCIC, FDLE Fusion Center, Cop Link and other intelligence sharing systems o In an effort to maintain knowledge, skills and abilities, CID participated in in-house training for new hires, as well as in-service training for all sworn members o CID conducts daily meetings to facilitate sharing of information for ongoing criminal investigations 39

41 o CID continues to partner with the Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole to make notification of contacts with probationers o CID evaluates incoming Crime Stoppers (CCSO) and TIPS (LCPD) hotline tips for solvability, and disseminates the tips to the appropriate unit for investigation. o CID provides the central data base and coordination for support of all Sexual Offender registration verifications and completes all Sexual Predator Community Notifications within 48 hours o CID supports the Special Operations Units with intelligence information and will share confidential informant information with the Narcotics Unit once the CI data is developed and implemented 40

42 CID Investigative Activities for FY 2015 During 2015, the Lake City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division continued to aggressively investigate criminal activity within the City of Lake City, while assisting other area Law Enforcement agencies with crimes that cross jurisdictional boundaries. The following is a synopsis of CID investigative activity for the previous two years: Investigative activities by year Total number of cases assigned to Investigators Clearance rate as a percentage of cases assigned in % 43% Total number of cases solved in Total number of unsolved cases in Total number of physical arrests as a result of investigations Total number of charges filed as a result of investigations Total amount of property recovered $90,233 $220,438 The following is a breakdown of cases assigned by type of crime during 2015 Major Offenses Total Investigations Arrests Affidavits Cases Cleared Assault Burglary Vandalism Missing Persons Homicide Robbery Sex Offense Theft

43 The following chart is an illustration of crimes investigated as a percentage of the total cases assigned to CID during As can be seen, burglary and thefts continue to constitute the majority of crimes investigated and to require the most investigative resources. Total Investigations 4% 6% 1% 26% 9% 9% 43% Assault Burglary Vandalism Missing Persons Homicide Robbery Sex Offenses Theft 2% The reduction of property crimes has been identified as a priority objective in the 2015 Lake City Police Department Strategic Plan, and the Criminal Investigations Division will continue to concentrate its efforts on the aggressive investigation and prosecution of those identified as being involved in property crimes. 42

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45 CRIMINAL INTERDICTION UNIT ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Sergeant Robert Milligan CIU Supervisor 44

46 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The Criminal Interdiction Unit consists of one Sergeant and four Officers. Three officers are assigned to the uniformed division of the CIU to proactively work street level narcotics and crimes, while the sergeant and one other officer primarily work in conjunction with the Florida Gateway HIDTA Initiative (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area). A review of the cases reported by the Criminal Interdiction Unit reveals that during 2015, the CIU members assigned to the HIDTA initiative have conducted 71 investigations that have resulted in the identification of 50 individual suspects, and several other yet identified suspects. These investigations have resulted in the arrest, or request for warrants, of 50 suspects and in excess of 100 felony charges. Additional cases have been forwarded to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for prosecution on gun related charges. During 2015, the HIDTA initiative reported a combined total of $3,560, worth of narcotics seized, including approximately 670 kilograms of marijuana and 4.5 kilograms of cocaine. The initiative also reported 19 HIDTA leads referred, 6 drug trafficking organization targeted, 23 firearms seized, and 75 arrests made. 45

47 The uniformed division of the CIU has initiated an additional 224 cases, resulting in 138 arrests and 86 warrants requested. The vast majority of these cases are the result of pro-active street level enforcement of narcotics related activity. As a result, the total combined Criminal Interdiction Unit statistics for 2015 include 295 criminal cases initiated, 172 physical arrests and 102 warrants requested. The goal for 2016 is the continued integration of the Interstate Interdiction Unit into the Department s efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking and sales. The uniformed members are currently coordinating with the Florida Highway Patrol and other agency Interdiction Units to engage in interstate interdiction tactics. 46

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49 OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Sergeant Andy Miles Internal Affairs Commander 48

50 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The mission of the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) is to protect and uphold the public trust in the Lake City Police Department and its members. The OPS is dedicated to providing citizens with a fair and effective avenue to address legitimate complaints against department members, and to protect Department members from false allegations of misconduct. The OPS is comprised of one Officer and a Sergeant. Currently, the Sergeant reports directly to the Chief of Police. Complaints on member conduct may be made in person, by letter, electronic mail, or telephone to the OPS or to any Department supervisor. Each complaint received by the OPS receives an initial assessment and is then classified as either an Internal Affairs Investigation or a Contact Report. Contact Reports are informal inquiries utilized for allegations of minor misconduct, and are typically addressed with the member by his or her chain of command, although some are resolved by the OPS. In either case, OPS maintains administrative control of all Contact Reports. Internal Affairs Investigations are formal investigations of alleged member misconduct of a more serious nature, and are conducted or managed by the OPS. The OPS also conducts in-depth policy compliance reviews, called Special Investigations. These investigations typically involve duty-specific incidents such as officer-involved firearm discharges, in-custody deaths, and utilizations of a Special Tactical Operations Team. 49

51 In the Department s effort to maintain the highest professional standards of service to the community, the Office of Professional Standards is responsible for the following: 1) Policy compliance reviews of member-involved use of force incidents, vehicle pursuits, and secondary employment activities 2) Monitoring member work-related information such as citizen complaints, use of force and traffic crash incidents, and policy violations for indications of work-related stress and job performance problems. OPS members remain committed to receiving, reviewing, and impartially resolving all complaints against Department members, whether the complainant is a citizen or another Department member. INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS & SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DATA ANALYSIS The Office of Professional Standards conducted nine (9) Internal Affairs Investigations (IAs)) in This is the same number of formal investigations as were conducted in 2014, however there were four more investigations than in While many formal investigations involve inquiries into multiple allegations of misconduct, for the purposes of data reporting and calculations, the single most egregious allegation was used. For instance, in a 2013 Internal Affairs Investigation, allegations against an officer included failure to notify the supervisor about contact with another agency and unbecoming conduct. Since the latter of these allegations was more serious than the other, it was designated as the allegation to represent an Internal 50

52 Affairs Investigation for this report. Conversely, all Internal Affairs allegations are included in the OPS s records system for each complaint investigated. The OPS classifies each complaint allegation as either Improper Procedure or Improper Conduct, and further defines the allegation based upon the specificity of the alleged action or inaction of the member (e.g., Improper Procedure/Failure to complete a report, Improper Conduct/Alcohol abuse). There were sixteen (16) allegations incorporated into the nine (9) Internal Affairs Investigations for For simplicity, the report denotes all allegations into four categories: I. Improper Procedure/Excessive Force II. Improper Procedure/All Other III. Improper Conduct/Unbecoming Conduct IV. Improper Conduct/All Other Of the nine (9) Internal Affairs Investigations in 2015: I. 22% were classified as Improper Procedure/Excessive Force II. 11% were classified Improper Procedure/All Other III. 11% were classified Improper Conduct/Unbecoming Conduct IV. 55% were classified Improper Conduct/All Other Of the sixteen (16) allegations investigated in the nine (9) Internal Affairs Investigations for 2015: I. 5 were sustained II. 5 were not sustained III. 6 were exonerated Findings Findings Exonerated 6 Not Sustained 5 Sustained 5 51

53 It is typical for some complaints, and therefore Internal Affairs Investigations, to involve multiple Department members. Multiple-member complaints traditionally average 20 30% of the total number of received complaints. For 2015, two (2) investigations involved multiple members. All of the complaints involved members engaged in their regular work assignment. There were no complaints involving activities while off-duty, and none involved a member engaged in secondary employment activity. Internally initiated complaints against members usually account for about half of all Internal Affairs Investigations. These types of complaints are usually from command staff members regarding allegations of misconduct brought to their attention by various avenues. In 2015, 78% were internally initiated. The high percentage of internally initiated investigations continues to reflect the fact the Lake City Police Department is committed to maintaining high professional standards, and is willing and able to police itself to ensure member accountability. Of the twelve (12) Department members who were the subject of internal investigations in 2015, all but three (3) were sworn. Two supervisors were the subject in an internal investigation in The race/gender classifications of the 12 Department members who were the subject of a formal complaint in 2015 are as follows: I. 9 White Males II. 1 Hispanic Male III. 1 White Female IV. 1 Black Female The percentage representation of each of the race/gender classifications for all 2015 Internal Affairs Investigation is as follows: I. 75 % White Male II. 08 % Hispanic Male III. 08 % White Female IV. 08 % Black Male 52

54 The Department s workforce race/gender percentages for all classifications for 2015 as illustrated in the following chart: I. 56 % White Male II. 26 % White Female III. 7 % Hispanic Male IV. 2 % Hispanic Female V. 5 % Black Male VI. 3 % Black Female VII. 2 % Asian Female Race/Gender Involved in complaint White Male White Female Hispanic Male Hispanic Female Black Male Black Female Asian Female Bias-based policing complaints are included in the Improper Procedure/Other category in this report. There were no such complaints in There were no Special Investigations (SI) in After a thorough review and analysis of all Internal Affairs Investigations and Special Investigations in 2015, the OPS found the relevant policies and procedures were in place and provided appropriate guidance for the involved members. Furthermore, no equipment needs were identified in any of the investigations. 53

55 SPECIAL UNIT REVIEW ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE 54

56 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The mission of the specialized units is to provide support services to the Lake City Police Department and the Community. Officers assigned to specialized units come from both the Support and Operations divisions, and generally support both functions within the department. Members of the Traffic Unit report to the Support Division Commander through respective chain of command, while K-9 and Honor Guard units report to the Operations Division Commander through their chains of command. SPECIALIZED UNITS This report will document the activities and accomplishments of the Lake City Police Department K-9 unit, Departmental Honor Guard, and Traffic Oriented Policing Unit for The primary purpose of the K-9 unit is to augment the patrol function, provide narcotics detection, and for search and apprehension. Each utilization of the K-9 is documented by the handler on a daily basis. The purpose of the Honor Guard Unit is to represent the Department at civic events, to render Honors to the National Colors, and to provide a formal presence at funeral services for fellow law enforcement officers, especially those killed in the line of duty. The purpose of the Traffic Oriented Policing Unit is to create safer roadways for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. This is accomplished through enforcing traffic laws, educating citizens, and addressing identified problem areas. The traffic officers respond to community complaints regarding traffic safety issues and provide dedicated enforcement at high collision intersections as well as function as traffic homicide investigators. The Traffic Unit has been very proactive in traffic enforcement, actively participating in traffic enforcement and DUI activities through grant programs funded through the Florida Department of Transportation. 55

57 The K-9 unit consists of three highly trained and motivated police officers. Two K-9 officers are assigned to dedicated K-9 positions within the Patrol Division, and the third K-9 officer is assigned to the Criminal Interdiction Unit. During 2015, the K-9 Unit consisted of: - Officer Mark Hardison and K-9 partner, Memnoch - Officer Connie Hightower and K-9 partner, Inca During the majority of the year, these officers were in training to obtain certification. 56

58 Officer Brian Bruenger is the current handler for K-9 partner, Falcor, and is expected to obtain full certification in During 2015 the K-9 unit participated in educational demonstrations, including performing at two Citizen Police Academies, and at Columbia County Elementary Schools. In all, the unit reached approximately 500 children and adults. During 2015, the K-9 units were deployed 21 times and conducted a total of 10 demonstrations. These K-9 deployments resulted in the seizure of grams of marijuana, and a small amount of synthetic drugs. 57

59 The Lake City Police Department Honor Guard is composed of six Sworn Officers who volunteer their time to represent the Department in formal occasions such as funerals, parades and other memorial events, as well as presenting the National Colors when requested. There are currently two Sergeants and five Officers assigned to the Honor Guard. Members volunteer for this unit for a minimum of three years. This insures continuity in the operation and function of the unit. Honor Guard Activities Honor guard members have presented the National Colors for the Veteran s Day festivities at the Lake City Veteran s Administration, as well as Memorial Day events at the VA Hospital. In addition, they present the colors for business and church events, when requested, and represent the Department in other civic and Departmental events such as the 911 Memorial, National Police Officers Memorial, and swearing-in and retirement ceremonies. 58

60 The Lake City Honor Guard is seen here presenting the Colors at the memorial ceremony. The Lake City Police Department Honor Guard was formed with the intent to represent the Department and to render honors to fallen officers, particularly those who fall in the line of duty. 59

61 TRAFFIC ORIENTED POLICING UNIT ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Sergeant Andy Miles TOP Unit Supervisor 60

62 The Traffic Oriented Policing Unit (TOP) is responsible for traffic enforcement, coordination of Department-wide traffic enforcement initiatives, and crash reduction through identification of high-crash intersections and causative violations. Goals and Objectives: To encourage traffic safety through education, enforcement and coordinated activities with other agencies and entities. To identify high traffic crash locations, analyze data, and apply problem-solving mechanisms to resolve traffic problems. To actively investigate citizen complaints and enforce appropriate traffic laws and regulations. To aggressively pursue the investigation of illegal activities detected because of traffic stops. To investigate hit and run traffic crashes. 61

63 TOP Unit statistics from the date the unit became fully staffed and functional, April 27, 2015 through December 31, 2015 indicates the following activity: Total traffic stops conducted: 816 Total crashes investigated: 319 Total Warnings Issued: 573 Criminal Citations Issued: 19 Traffic Citations Issued: 184 Arrests made: 21 DUI Investigations: 3 62

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65 JUVENILE PROGRAMS ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Sergeant Craig Strickland Explorer Program Advisor 64

66 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Part of the mission of the Lake City Police Department is to maintain a productive and interactive relationship with the youth of this community. In accomplishing this, the Department has partnered with the City of Lake City in funding a Police Explorer Post. Advisors and Post Committee members assisting with the post are all Department members who volunteer to help shape the youth of tomorrow. EXPLORER POST 386 In 2012, the Lake City Police Department organized and formed Police Explorer Post 386, a youth program sponsored by Learning for Life (LFL), a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) subsidiary. This program, managed locally by the Department, allows young men and women the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with this agency to receive career training and education in the field of law enforcement. An Explorer candidate is required to be between the ages of 14 and 21, must have completed the 8 th grade, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, and successfully complete a police background check. The program meets bi-weekly for training and participates in numerous police and community events throughout the year. In 2015, the Explorer Post had a high membership of sixteen explorers for most of the calendar year. Towards the end of 2015, the Post lost six members for various reasons including dualenrollment when school began and new jobs. Training provided to the Explorer Post includes radio communication, traffic direction, crowd control, as well as areas specific to a law enforcement career. Police training for youth is designed to give them a first-hand view of what a career in law enforcement would be like, and help prepare them for a future career as a police officer. This training includes areas such as traffic stops, building searches, bomb threat response, defensive tactics, arrest techniques, fingerprinting, and communications. The Explorers assisted the Lake City Police Department with numerous community events in They assisted with traffic and crowd control at parades and DUI checkpoints. 65

67 Some of the events in 2015 utilizing Police Explorers included: Battle of Olustee Festival Parade Independence Day Fireworks (during a torrential downpour and lightning storm) at the Columbia County Fairgrounds o A cash donation was given by Columbia Services in exchange for their assistance National Night Out/Halloween Safety Bash The Columbia County Fair by manning the Nettles Sausage Booth on Thursday night o This fundraiser night raised $700 in only five hours for the Post 66

68 Several of the training events Explorers participated in this year were: Basic radio procedures Traffic stops Laser use Taser training Use of Force Verbal Judo Physical fitness training including one boot camp session Explorers continue to provide a positive connection between the Police Department and other area youth. They also act as positive role models for their peers and act as ambassadors within the community. 67

69 COMMUNITY RELATIONS UNIT ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Crista Thomas Community Relations Coordinator INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 68

70 One of the components of the Community Relations Unit (CRU) is to focus on providing, and participating in, partnerships throughout the community. As we interact with our local schools and other civic and social organizations, we provide a community relations and crime prevention component with our visibility. We appreciate our community, businesses, and organizations for their continued support as they gain a better understanding of the Department. The CRU continues to share information with the community and also shares information provided by our citizens to the Chief, Command Staff, and other staff weekly. Notable Accomplishments And Programs BREAKFAST WITH THE CHIEF LOCATION DATE TOPIC ATTENDANCE New Bethel January 10, 2015 Panel 120 Wesley Memorial April 11, 2015 General 82 Lake City Moose Lodge July 11, 2015 General 64 First Baptist October 17, 2015 General 92 Over the past year, Breakfast with the Chief has been held at a variety of locations, from local civic organizations to faith-based centers. Citizens bring a variety of concerns to Chief Gilmore, including many of which that are not police matters. Those concerns that cannot be addressed by law enforcement are forwarded to the appropriate agency. All concerns are re-addressed at the following Breakfast, with a solution and feedback given. LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN 69

71 This event is held internationally by law enforcement. This year, the Lake City Police Department teamed up with the Department of Transportation to host our local Torch Run. Over 150 people attended this run/walk and 16 of our Lake City Police Department employees ran for this event. The proceeds go to the Special Olympics Florida. 70

72 MENTORS IN BLUE Lake City Police Department Chief Argatha Gilmore has teamed up with Lake City Councilwoman, Melinda Moses, and Niblack Elementary School Principal, Nikita Ivery, to create the first M.I.B. program at that school. Students have been paired with a Lake City Police Officer who has volunteered to visit them at school to help with reading and assignments, make home visits, and attend sporting events to provide another positive role model in their lives. The participating Lake City Police Department members include Officer Gary Borchardt, Officer Lukasz Gesicki, Officer Marc Hardison, Officer Chauncey Mays, Officer Arielle Peterson, and Officer Matthew Waddington. The feedback from school personnel, as well as parents, has been so positive that we look for this newest program to continue for many years 71

73 CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY (CPA) The CPA is aimed at citizens of our community ages 18 and older. The course curriculum is designed to give the community a birds-eye view of the overall functions of their Police Department. Citizens engage in a hands-on interactive program each Thursday evening from 6p to 9p. Classes range from an overview of the Records Division to a Mock Crime Scene and Mock Trial throughout the 12-week course. Participants are exposed to the daily functions of the Department as well as how our officers interact daily. Every instructor is a member of the Police Department: most are actual sworn police officers. Many of the classes have become favorites at each Session. The Academy has received very favorable responses to the evaluations given at the end of each class, as there is an exciting overview of each class by the instructor. Participants are also served a nice dinner by the Chief and staff during lesson one. At the end of the 12-week course, participants are awarded a certificate during a special Graduation ceremony. Each class has had a 100% graduation rate. These graduates are now candidates to become members of the Lake City Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Chief Gilmore believes it is important to have citizen-police interaction and cooperation. One way to achieve this is through an exchange of ideas and education. The Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is an excellent tool in continuing to achieve this. Currently, our Alumni are very active in the day-to-day operations by serving as volunteers and ambassadors for the Department. 72

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76 LAKE CITY POLICEMAN S BALL CHARITY AND GALA Last year marked the 22 nd Annual Policeman s Ball. There were over 400 in attendance and more than $23, was raised for the event. The room was filled with laughter and excitement along with fine dining, dancing, and music. Thanks to our local sponsors and the community, we were able to give $5, to Voices for Children. 75

77 9/11 CEREMONY Chief Gilmore believes it is important to remember the heroes and their families by having a 9/11 Ceremony. This ceremony was held on September 11, 2015 at First Baptist Church. Over 150 people showed their dedication by attending this ceremony with us. PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND PARTNERSHIPS The CRU will continue to foster partnerships in various community-oriented policing program strategies, initiatives, and activities, including active participation in the following organizations and annual programs: Women in Business Another Way FDOT Community Traffic Safety Team Columbia County Schools Boy and Girl Scouts of America March of Dimes Columbia County Senior Services VA Council on Mental Health for Veterans Lake City Chamber of Commerce Columbia County Special Olympics First Baptist Church Knight Visions Security Department of Juvenile Justice Columbia County Teen Court National Night Out Richardson Community Center Annual Health Fair LEO Memorial Service LCPD Explorers Post 386 LCPD Citizens Police Academy Voices for Children/Guardian ad Litem 76

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79 CRIME PREVENTION UNIT ARGATHA GILMORE CHIEF OF POLICE Officer Mike Lee Crime Prevention Practitioner 78

80 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The mission of the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) is to help residents of the City of Lake City create safe communities and reduce the opportunity for crime through enhanced partnerships with local law enforcement, business, government, and non-profit organizations. The CPU is comprised of one officer who is designated as a Crime Prevention Practitioner (CPP) by the Florida Attorney General s Office. Currently, the officer reports to the Assistant Chief of Police. Officer Mike Lee is currently the Department s Crime Prevention Officer and holds the designations of Crime Prevention Practitioner as well as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner. In addition to Crime Prevention duties, Officer Lee coordinates the department s Traffic Safety efforts, which include education and prevention practices aimed at increasing safety on the roadways within the Lake City area supplemental to the Department s other enforcement activities. 79

81 Community Education and Outreach One of the primary functions of the CPU is to provide community education designed to decrease victimization and increase safety within the community. Community Education includes programs for both youth and adults and for both residential and commercial applications. As part of this educational emphasis, the CPU provides educational presentations to a variety of audiences including youth related topics. The CPO provides class topics such as Stranger Danger, 911 Safety, Gun Safety, Anti-Bullying Awareness, Drug Awareness, Bicycle Safety, Occupant Protection, and General Safety. The CPO utilizes progressive methods to reach youth on these topics and others, such as the use of video presentations, coloring books, visual aids, mascot costumes, and electronic devices. The Lake City Police Department currently uses two live mascot costumes. Eddie the Eagle gives safety presentations to young children about gun safety ( Stop, Don t Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult! ) and Safety Pup is used for other safety topics. LCPD continues to partner with the National Child Safety Council to conduct fundraising efforts to support educational materials for youth. In 2015, these funds were used to purchase Halloween safety tip books and bags that were given out in connection with National Night Out. Materials regarding online safety, strangers, and bullying were also distributed. During the 2015 campaign, $3,659 was raised. In 2015, the CPU gave approximately 36 community presentations (including visits to area day cares, community organizations, and church groups, as well as attending community events such as safety fairs). During these events, approximately 2,700 people were contacted. Not included above, the Lake City Police Department also hosted a booth at the Columbia County Fair, where educational and outreach information was distributed to approximately 10,000 people over a 10-day period. In addition to youth education, the CPU also conducts professional training, including annual robbery response training for all financial institutions in the Lake City area and surrounding Columbia County. Training includes robbery awareness and response procedures. In 2015, approximately 120 bank employees received this training. 80

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84 Juvenile Justice Partnerships The Crime Prevention Officer (CPO), along with the Community Relations Coordinator, serves as the liaisons to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Circuit Board for the 3 rd Circuit. The CPO attends quarterly meetings at the DJJ office, along with representatives of other agencies involved in the Juvenile Justice process, which includes delinquency programs, education, and enforcement. This Board is comprised of a representative from each area law enforcement agency, the Columbia County School Board, Columbia County Health Department, Probation Office, State Attorney s Office, and DJJ. Red Ribbon Week Annually, the Lake City Police Department supports the Red Ribbon Week campaign. Officers wear red ribbons on their uniforms for the last week of October to support antidrug education efforts in public schools and with community youth. 83

85 Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) The Crime Prevention Unit is currently staffed by one certified Crime Prevention Practitioner who provides CPTED consulting to the City of Lake City. Part of this process involves the review of all new construction within the city limits. Reviews include recommendations for improving safety in areas such as access control, lighting, and security. In 2015, the CPU reviewed 15 Site Plans. In addition to reviewing new construction proposals, the Crime Prevention Officer is available to provide advice to business and home owners regarding security of existing structures. These security surveys provide suggestions on improving lighting, improving access control features, enhancing security hardware, etc. In 2015, 6 Security Surveys were conducted. In response to several critical events that occurred throughout the nation in 2015, LCPD conducted a Church Safety Seminar in July. Over 100 representatives of local faithbased organizations attended and were taught how to improve the physical security of their places of worship as well as the safety of those who utilize those facilities. Apartment Managers Crime Watch Under the umbrella of LCPD s Crime Watch program, in 2015 LCPD brought together management from all of the Apartment Complexes in the Lake City area. This group first met in June. The first three months involved in-person meetings at the Lake City Public Safety Building, after which a permanent cycle was established of 1 in-person and 2 phone conference meetings each quarter. During these meetings, various topics are discussed including issues or concerns facing the apartments as well as issues the Department has observed, crime trends noticed, or other issues with which apartment management can assist. 84

86 National Night Out Each year, the Lake City Police Department and Lake City Fire Department partner to provide a safe alternative to trick-or-treating on Halloween. LCPD also hosts National Night Out annually. In 2013, these events were merged into one event that promoted safety and unity in the community. This event drew approximately 2500 attendees within a three-hour period. In 2014, the event was held in conjunction with the annual Trunk-Or-Treat event sponsored by the Lake City Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. This new event was held at and around Darby Pavilion in Wilson Park. The 2014 event drew approximately 10,000 visitors. In 2015, this event was again held in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by the City of Lake City. It again drew over 10,000 visitors to the Lake Desoto area where the new layout involved displays spread around the lake itself with entertainment and events inside Wilson Park. The event was recognized by Target, Inc, and awarded nationally as the Best National Night Out (Sponsored by a Distribution Center). Each child received a gift bag containing candy, coloring books, and educational gifts (such as glow-in-the-dark bracelets with the message Be Safe, Be Seen. ). The Lake City Fire Department provided free hot dogs to attendees, and other vendors were on site to sell additional food and drinks. Shop With a Cop 85

87 In 2014, the Lake City Police Department s Crime Prevention Unit organized the first annual Shop With a Cop program. This event was designed to help less fortunate children in the community receive presents for Christmas while helping improve community and youth trust in law enforcement by showing that we are not the bad guys. This event, sponsored by Walmart, involved the donation of $100 gift cards to children who were selected with the assistance of Chances for Children, a local child advocacy group. These children were paired with a police officer who then helped them use the card to pick out gifts for themselves and their families. In 2015, Community Relations and the Crime Prevention Unit worked together to sponsor Lake City Police Department s second annual Shop With a Cop event. Funding was received from both the Lake City Walmart and the Walmart Distribution Center (Alachua). The 36 children participating were selected from four community partners: Mentors in Blue Niblack Elementary Chances for Children Child Advocacy Center Greater Heights Academy New Beginnings Restoration Church No Limits, No Boundaries New Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church 86

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89 Traffic Safety Part of the CPUs mission includes providing education to the public in the area of traffic safety. While topics for adults include DUI awareness and Florida driving laws, youth education is also provided. The Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) is certified by the Florida Department of Transportation / Safe Routes to School program to fit and provide bicycle helmets to youth. The Crime Prevention Officer was also certified by SafeKids as a Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician. In 2015, approximately 35 reduced-cost car seats and booster seats were provided to local parents/guardians. The CPU actively participates in the Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST), a local board that meets monthly with the Florida Department of Transportation to discuss traffic issues impacting Columbia County. In 2015 the CPO acted as both department liaison to this team, and the team s Safe Routes to School coordinator. The CPO acted in this capacity within LCPD as well, coordinating safety issues related to school routes and school zones between FDOT, Lake City Public Works, Lake City Police Department, and the CTST. The CPO also acts as the Coordinator for LCPD s School Crossing Guards, assisting with their training, conducting their field evaluations, managing their time for payroll purposes, and acting as their liaison to the department. In 2015, Lake City employed 4 part-time crossing guards working a combined 120 hours per pay period. 88

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