Newest Fort Lauderdale Police Unit ... Shock and Awe !
The 'good ole days', when you could leave your doors unlocked in Fort Lauderdale are ancient history.
Fort Lauderdale Police in safer times
And this year, things have only gotten worse. Fort Lauderdale's crime is on the rise. Robbery is up 8%, burglary up 17%, and vehicle burglaries up 21% over this time last year.
Something has to be done. And the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the new Police Chief, Frank Adderley, who has only been on the job for a matter of months.
Chief Adderley
But a new effort by a new Chief might be just the ticket. And that is what's happening.
So local thugs beware; Fort Lauderdale's new Street Crimes Unit is on the job! And Chief Adderley has picked one of the toughest and most respected Cops on the force to lead the new unit, Captain Luis Alvarez.
Alvarez
The creative team is made up of Forty Police Officers....all hand-picked...the tough and assertive kind.... often dressed in all black.... criminal intimidators!.... ready to roll......... they'll probably take prisoners, but only because they're required to!
And it might be just in time. With the economy tanking everywhere, and even harder in Florida, many experts believe crime could spiral totally out of control.
This hand-picked Special Force was cobbled together by combining positions from numerous "Special Teams" that have been around for quite some time, but many felt had lost their effectiveness. They were the "Raiders", the "Tac Team", and the "Special Problems Unit". Now, the new name is not splashy, but their firepower, and make-up, is impressive.
Chief Adderley released the stats today of the first month of operation for the new team.
a small sample of their 350 Arrests this month -
..... a Cocaine dealer, dealing outside a school in Dorsey Riverbend
..... a thug with a gun in Edgewood, arrested after attacking a Police Officer
..... a child molester on the beach
..... a man arrested after stabbing a man on Broward Blvd.
..... a carjacker arrested in South Middle River
..... a burglar who held a knife at a homeowner in Flagler Heights
..... and so it goes. Chief Adderley thinks this new effort, with it's ability to swarm an area and make substantial progress - quick, is the way to go.
It's proven Police strategy that if you fix the "broken windows", in this case the street thugs that prey on our community, crime rates fall.
We hope he's right!
Fort Lauderdale Police in safer times
And this year, things have only gotten worse. Fort Lauderdale's crime is on the rise. Robbery is up 8%, burglary up 17%, and vehicle burglaries up 21% over this time last year.
Something has to be done. And the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the new Police Chief, Frank Adderley, who has only been on the job for a matter of months.
Chief Adderley
But a new effort by a new Chief might be just the ticket. And that is what's happening.
So local thugs beware; Fort Lauderdale's new Street Crimes Unit is on the job! And Chief Adderley has picked one of the toughest and most respected Cops on the force to lead the new unit, Captain Luis Alvarez.
Alvarez
The creative team is made up of Forty Police Officers....all hand-picked...the tough and assertive kind.... often dressed in all black.... criminal intimidators!.... ready to roll......... they'll probably take prisoners, but only because they're required to!
And it might be just in time. With the economy tanking everywhere, and even harder in Florida, many experts believe crime could spiral totally out of control.
This hand-picked Special Force was cobbled together by combining positions from numerous "Special Teams" that have been around for quite some time, but many felt had lost their effectiveness. They were the "Raiders", the "Tac Team", and the "Special Problems Unit". Now, the new name is not splashy, but their firepower, and make-up, is impressive.
Chief Adderley released the stats today of the first month of operation for the new team.
a small sample of their 350 Arrests this month -
..... a Cocaine dealer, dealing outside a school in Dorsey Riverbend
..... a thug with a gun in Edgewood, arrested after attacking a Police Officer
..... a child molester on the beach
..... a man arrested after stabbing a man on Broward Blvd.
..... a carjacker arrested in South Middle River
..... a burglar who held a knife at a homeowner in Flagler Heights
..... and so it goes. Chief Adderley thinks this new effort, with it's ability to swarm an area and make substantial progress - quick, is the way to go.
It's proven Police strategy that if you fix the "broken windows", in this case the street thugs that prey on our community, crime rates fall.
We hope he's right!
Hours before receiving this "crime is getting worse" story I received the city's magazine, "Focus on Fort Lauderdale." It's an "everything is wonderful" publication. It struck me as propaganda designed to keep George Gretsas in his job.
The publication ignores our crime problems with the feel-good headline, "Keeping Crime Down." The story tells about using cameras, tasers, semiautomatic rifles and COMPSTAT (the smart use of maps) to deal with crime, but makes no mention of the reality of our situation — that robberies and burglaries are UP significantly.
That's the trick ... mislead citizens by vaguely telling them you're working to keep crime down, but don't tell them you're NOT keeping crime down!!
How many tax dollars did we pay to be ill-informed by that "magazine?"
It's a good thing we have newspapers, web sites and blogs to give us the straight scoop — or part of it — because you won't find it in "Focus on Fort Lauderdale."
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Sounds like the special unit has the makings of a movie or a TV special. A good name might be "Men in Black"...
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Kudos to Chief Adderley and his new team of pro-active cops!
I know the team is made up of many fine officers that have been in the department for quite awhile now-I am relieved to know that they are familiar with the neighborhoods' needs in which they serve.
Recently, I witnessed the new team in action in their full regalia just south on NE 13th street and 5th ave, and it truly was an awesome sight!!!!!
I have to say also, that I have noticed a change for the better in the areas that I frequent on a daily basis.
Keep up the good work,FLPD!
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While some areas may be improving with the application of this special team - others parts of the city are suffering with an increase in crime....the team can't be everywhere and the re-assignments makes other areas very vulnerable. We are finding that routine shifts are now with fewer resources and officers assigned to patrol have less back up when needed....while the special unit will be a great addition - it is the addition of staff that will allow for the reduction in crime with more visibility on the streets and in the neighborhoods and a stronger community policing initiative.
We all want the department to succeed and we want to feel safe in our city.
Crime is up, employment is down and we need to find the balance.
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I have to wonder if the Southwest will be also be included, & just not the areas mentioned in your blog?
I remember the "Raiders" when they came out here, they did one hell of a "Job" at times, but basically only stayed in this area for little time & left to go back to the NW. This area has always been robbed from "police protection"
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"With the economy tanking everywhere, and even harder in Florida, many experts believe crime could spiral totally out of control"
that's an understatement.
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Technology is not the answer or even a good solution to law enforcement.
Deterrence is the best approach.
1. Stop overpaying the cops. The average WORKER in Fort Lauderdale makes $45,000. Make that a cap for police officers. Some will leave, but there are MANY young, strong men and women who will flock to get the jobs.
2. Get them on the street and out of the air conditioned cars. By reducing salaries, you can hire 2 or 3 times the number of officers. By eliminating air conditioned gas-guzzler cars, you can hire several more. Put them on foot. Put them on bicycles. Put them on scooters. MAKE THEM VISIBLE == and not just in the wealthy areas.
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