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Law Enforcers Seeking Help

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By TOM BRENNAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2007

BLOOMINGDALE - The equation is simple: More patrols equals less crime.

But budget realities limit the number of sheriff's deputies on the street. So the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is looking to boost its presence by recruiting enough volunteers to form a Citizen Patrol.

'It would be extra eyes in ears in the neighborhood,' said Cpl. Albert Selke, patrol coordinator with the sheriff's crime prevention bureau.

The bureau will hold a public meeting to gauge interest at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Bloomingdale Park West recreation center, 3940 Canoga Park Drive.

'We want to explain the entire program so people will know what it is and see what the interest is,' Selke said.

Volunteers actively patrol their neighborhoods and handle non-law enforcement duties, such as traffic control, filling in as school crossing guards or checking on houses whose owners are on vacation.

If the civilian patrol volunteer discovers a serious crime, Selke said, he or she is to call deputies. He said volunteers' safety is of utmost importance.

They must be 18 or older, pass a background screening, be 'of good moral character' and have an affidavit from their doctor verifying they are physically up for the duty, Selke said. Volunteers work six-hour shifts and must be willing to put in at least one shift per month.

Candidates who clear those hurdles then take 54 hours of training in three weeks that includes instruction in CPR and traffic control, driver's education and an overview of the department's policies and paperwork requirements.

New cadets complete three field training sessions with a seasoned patrol member and work in refurbished sheriff's squad cars wearing uniforms.

'The biggest tool they have is a direct link to the department via the radio,' Selke said. 'When they squeeze the button on the mic, everyone in the east side of the county will hear them.'
Citizen Patrol members in other parts of the county volunteer in six-hour shifts between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Selke said the operators of the program want to add one more shift running to midnight.

The program started six months ago with pilot patrols in Apollo Beach and Westchase. Selke said volunteers there have logged 750 hours and answered 1,800 calls. He said preliminary analyses show felony property crime is down 40 percent in Apollo Beach and 15 percent in Westchase.

'We believe the Citizen Patrol played a significant role in that reduction,' Selke said.

Bloomingdale Community Resource Deputy Pete Maurer predicts a surplus of local volunteers.

'Years ago, Bloomingdale had one of the premier community watches, but it fell apart,' he said. 'A lot of those people are still here. I hear a great deal of interest in reviving it.'
Selke said the idea behind the patrols is simple.

'If the bad guys see you, they move on,' he said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Bloomingdale Citizen Patrol information meeting

WHERE: Bloomingdale Park West recreation center, 3940 Canoga Park Drive.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 8.

CONTACT: (813) 247-8115 or (813) 635-8040

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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