FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT CITYWIDE As the Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD) continues its outreach to citizens especially young people the crime rate in the city for the first half of 2016 is showing substantial decreases over the same period last year. Numbers recently compiled by FPPD s Crime Analysis Unit show a 10 percent drop in reported violent crimes in Fort Pierce for the period of January 1 through June 12 of this year, compared to the same time in 2015. Several categories of crime are down, including a 50 percent drop in reported sex offenses this year. Robberies are down nearly 16 percent, and aggravated assaults are down about 2 percent. There have been five homicides this year, which is an increase from two at this time last year. Reported non-violent crime totals have fallen 24 percent this year, with burglaries having the greatest drop nearly 27 percent. Thefts are down 24 percent, and auto thefts have fallen almost 19 percent. The combined totals for all crimes in the first half of 2016 represent at 22-percent drop since the first half of last year. This success comes after a 9-percent drop in the total yearly crime rate from 2014 to 2015 and shows that progress continues as officers are making greater efforts to work with people throughout the community to reduce crime. Other FPPD successes include on-going work with Crime Stoppers, Allegany Franciscan Ministry, the Housing Authority, the St. Lucie County Sheriff s Office, and our federal partners: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Homeland Security Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) U.S. Marshalls Office The efforts of the multi-agency Crime Suppression Unit in 2016 have led to the seizure of $16,766 in cash, 3.3 pounds of marijuana, 246 illegal narcotic pills and 47 guns. For the rest of the 2016, officers will continue their outreach to citizens and young people. We are committed in our efforts to reduce criminal activity, gang and gun violence and illegal drug sales.
Police Recruit and Officer Training Approximately 100 percent of our new officers hired in 2015-2016 received their initial law enforcement academy training through the Indian River State College (IRSC) Public Safety Training Complex. IRSC is certified, authorized and recognized by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) as a police academy training center in the State of Florida. It is responsible for training and educating numerous police recruits throughout the Treasure Coast and State of Florida. Recently during a recruiting seminar, police departments across the state traveled to IRSC (from Miami to St. Petersburg P.D.) to hire academy recruits. The Academy consists of 848 hours of training (approximately 6 months of training) to include: Legal (learning statutory requirements). Civil Constitutional laws Report Writing Investigations Interpersonal Communications Traffic Investigations Patrol Procedures Vehicle Operations CPR First Aid Firearms Defensive Tactics After successfully passing the police academy, every new police officer hired by the Fort Pierce Police Department is required to receive an additional 14 weeks of training in the Field Training Program. If the recruit passes this program, they must remain on probation for the first year. The Fort Pierce Police Department standards are in compliance with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Standards. In addition, each year police officers in the State of Florida are required to maintain their CJSTC/ FDLE mandatory certification standards by completing 40 hours every 4 years in specific training requirements. Human Diversity Interpersonal Skills Officer Use of Force Training Dart- Firing Taser Training Firearms Qualification Standards Domestic Violence Training
Unfortunately, the Fort Pierce Police Department is continuing to experience a trend in the attrition/ turnover rate. We are losing officers to other Treasure Coast law enforcement agencies, in large part due to our inability to compete with their higher ranging salaries, better equipment and other benefits. In their exit letters, the officers mostly quote leaving for better pay as the main reason for leaving FPPD. In 2016, all who left accepted a position with another police department. Year Turnover/ Attrition Fort Pierce Police Department 2009 29 2010 4 2011 6 2012 18 2013 10 2014 19 2015 15 Number of Officers 2016 19 (YTD) Conclusion In conclusion, we will continue to implement proactive strategies, focus on improving the quality of life and dedicate all of our resources to protect the citizens of the next great city, Fort Pierce. Districts 1 and 2 For policing purposes, the city consists of District 1, which is overseen by Deputy Chief Kenny Norris, and District 2, which is overseen by Deputy Chief Frank Amandro. Their reports of progress in those districts are below.
FPPD DISTRICT I This report gives an analytical comparison of criminal statistics taken from 2015 s bi-annual Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime statistics during the months of January 2015 through June 2015. In this report, the same data is used to evaluate the progress of District 1 s overall improvement. The involvement and interaction of District 1 and the Northwest area (Lincoln Park) are a priority. Our objective is to improve the working relationships with the community, reduce the number of violent/felony crimes and to improve the overall quality of life. First, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that District 1 is fully committed to the safety and welfare for all of Fort Pierce citizens and visitors. Although we face a myriad of obstacles, we will not waiver in our commitment to the department s motto; In Honor We Serve. Since my assignment as the District 1 commander, I have attended numerous community meetings, youth events and workshops (37). Our mission is to strengthen the relationship between the citizens of Fort Pierce and our Police Department; A house divided, cannot stand. We have met with the citizens and heard their voices. During these meetings in the Northwest section, the community members wanted to address these specific issues; illicit criminal activity, gang and gun violence and illegal drugs in their neighborhoods. In response to the community s concerns, we implemented a multi-agency task force to address these very concerns. District 1 Patrol As this operation was in full effect, the District I patrol units were asked to assist in these operations while still maintaining their normal patrol functions. They were tasked with stepping up their daily responsibilities of answering a heavy volume of calls-for-service and conducting self-initiated activities, while assisting the task force with their on-going operation. The District I patrol officers did not shy away from these challenges but where able to complete these challenges with success. Their dedication to and tireless efforts resulted in an overall decrease in the crime rate in Fort Pierce (please see below FBI and FDLE bi-annual report of crime statistics in Fort Pierce; for further details see below).
FPPD DISTRICT I Part 1 Uniform Crime Report Statistics District 1 January 1 - June 12 Total UCR Category 2015 2016* % Change Homicide 2 3 50.0% Sex Offenses 7 4-42.9% Robbery 11 15 36.4% Aggravated Assault 62 57-8.1% Total Violent Crimes 82 79-3.7% Burglary 81 47-42.0% Larceny/Theft 223 141-36.8% Motor Vehicle Theft 10 12 20.0% Total Non-Violent Crimes 314 200-36.3% UCR TOTAL 396 279-29.5% Criminal Investigation Division (District 1) This year, our detective division investigated four homicides in the Northwest (Lincoln Park) area. Their responsibilities covered a wide range of tasks such as the secondary and/or follow on active criminal cases, crime scene investigation, interviews, cased documentation, victim and family contact, as well as case preparation in conjunction with the State Attorney s Office. It should be mentioned that one of the facets the Chief wanted to implement was putting more inference on having witnesses come forward and provide much needed cooperation. We also contacted several sources (Crime Stoppers, Housing Authority Agents and F.D.L.E.) to solicit their help in providing assistance in protecting the witnesses. The impact of this collaboration immediately yielded positive results. We witnessed a dramatic increase in homicide cases being solved, without the usual hesitation and/or delays. We are continuing our efforts to improve new techniques and are currently seeking alternative forms to protecting the public from witness tampering or retaliation. Our ultimate message will be to those who commit violent crimes in Fort Pierce; No More (listed below are a contrast statistics for 2015 and 2016).
FPPD DISTRICT I District 1Homicide Clearance Rate (Northwest section) Year #Homicides # Cleared by Arrest % Cleared 2015 7 3 42.9 2016 4 3 75 Criminal Suppression Unit/Task Force A strategic task force was implemented and activated on January 24, 2016, to directly deal with the enforcement aspect of the community s concerns. The task force consisted of the Fort Pierce Police Department s Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU). CSU was directly responsible for implementing daily assignments and controlling long/short term criminal investigations. The objective was to immediately disrupt the on-going violence and criminal activities. The task force efforts proved to positively impact the criminal activity in the Northwest corridor of Fort Pierce as the violent and property crimes reported immediately began to decrease. At the conclusion of first phase of these investigations, the task force arrested numerous identified violent gang members to include three defendants wanted by detectives for active homicides cases. The Task Force executed two search warrants, which resulted in the seizure of: $16,766 in U.S. currency, assault rifles and firearms, 49 grams of crack cocaine, 3.3 pounds of marijuana, and 246 schedule III and IV narcotic tablets. The task force was also responsible for arresting numerous subjects who were identified as violent gang members. During the first phase of this operation, 47 firearms were seized and more quantities of illicit narcotics were removed from the Northwest section of Fort Pierce. The success of this operation gave way to an on-going commitment from our law enforcement partners to continue future operations in Fort Pierce. Task Force Partners: St. Lucie County Sheriff s Department Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Homeland Security Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) U.S. Marshalls Office
FPPD DISTRICT I Fort Pierce Police Department- CSU/ Task Force 2016 Results Arrests 43 felony, 16 misdemeanors Weapon Seized 47 U.S. Currency Seized $16, 766 Narcotics Seized 49 grams of Cocaine, 3.3 pounds of marijuana, 249 narcotic (oxycodone and ecstasy) pills. Community Partnership Programs During our enforcement efforts, we simultaneously partnered with several community outreach programs to conduct mentoring and training for our youth in the Northwest (Lincoln Park) community. One of our first programs started with the Chief s initiative: Courage for Life, a mentorship/ interaction between officers from the Fort Pierce Police Department and local elementary students. We continued this theme by partnering/assisting in the First Step Program, which is aimed at mentoring-through reading and athletics, targeting the youth in the Lincoln Park area. We also helped establish a Restoring the Village Anti-Gang Initiative grant aimed at young men and women who may be involved in a gang, but want to turn their lives around. This program offers positive mentoring, G.E.D attainment, seeking /preparation for jobs and other life skills. Currently we are partnering with other youth organizations and planning future events for the Lincoln Park area.
FPPD DISTRICT 2 This report gives an analytical comparison of crime statics taken from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) 2015 Bi-Annual Report for the months of January 2015 through June 2015 and FDLE s 2016 Bi-Annual Report for the same period of time. In this report, the same data is used to evaluate the progress of District 2 s overall improvement. District 2 is a very diverse community. There is a significant blend of commercial and residential property, as well as with our residents in respect to race, ethnicity, age, religion and socioeconomic status. The heart of District 2 is the City s Downtown and Marina. There are competing objectives within District 2; however, our main goal is to continue to improve the police department s relationship with the community. District 2 has been striving to build new partnerships while enhancing existing partnerships throughout the community. District 2 is also committed to reduce the number of crimes, reduce the traffic related offenses and parking congestion concerns, and to improve the overall quality of life. Although, we are experiencing a number of competing objectives and obstacles, we will not waiver in our commitment to the department s motto; In Honor We Serve. As the District 2 Commander, during the last year and a half, I have attended numerous community meetings, business events, youth events and workshops (over 90). Our mission is to strengthen the relationship between the citizens of Fort Pierce and our Police Department. We have met with the citizens and heard their voices. During these meetings, the business and residents wanted to address these specific issues; illicit criminal activity, traffic congestion and speeding complaints, insufficient parking, homeless camps, and the vagrants panhandling in their neighborhoods. In response to the community s concerns, we assigned specific zone officers in District 2 to address the community s various concerns. District 2 Patrol It should be noted, that while the zone officers received these special projects, these patrol units were still maintaining their normal patrol functions. They were tasked with their daily responsibilities of answering a heavy volume of calls-for-service and conducting self-initiated proactive activities e.g., traffic stops, field contacts, and attending community meetings while working on these special projects. The District 2 patrol officers accepted these challenges and made some significant progress. Their determination and remarkable efforts resulted in a significant decrease in the crime rate in District 2 in comparison of the same time period between 2015 and 2016 (please see FDLE Bi-Annual report of crime statistics for District 2 below).
FPPD DISTRICT 2 Part 1 Uniform Crime Report Statistics District 2 January 1 - June 12 Total UCR Category 2015 2016* % Change Homicide 0 2 -- Sex Offenses 17 9-47.1% Robbery 40 28-30.0% Aggravated Assault 45 47 4.4% Total Violent Crimes 102 86-15.7% Burglary 109 92-15.6% Larceny/Theft 438 363-17.1% Motor Vehicle Theft 32 25-21.9% Total Non-Violent Crimes 579 480-17.1% UCR TOTAL 681 566-16.9% District 2 Homicide Clearance Rate Year #Homicides # Cleared % Cleared 2015 3 2 67 2016 1 1 100