Thursday morning, May 29, Alliance Board Director Jack Miles opened the first meeting of a new Home Security Awareness committee comprised of Alliance member communities. Representatives from nineteen communities were present for this inaugural meeting, along with Sheriff's Department District 4 Captain Jeff Calise and key staff members.
(Shown in photo l. to r.: Sheriff Dept. Detective Ryan Miller, Lt. Sean Murray, Capt. Jeff Calise and Jack Miles at podium.) The meeting was designed to provide an open exchange of information and opportunity for questions and answers after presentations by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department District 4 Captain Jeff Calise, Detective Ryan Miller, Lt. Sean Murray, and Mr. Hank Fridette of LinkingCommunities.com, a new website that links communities to law enforcement agencies.
The District 4 officers emphasized that citizens should be alert and call 911 if they spot law breaking incidents. (Lt. MIler in photo addressing audience.) As crimes are reported in the district they are recorded at headquarters. Patrols are assigned to the neighborhoods where crimes have been committed. Statistics were reported regarding how many business burglaries, home invasions and robberies, smashed auto windows occurred. All of these crimes occurred usually because people did not lock doors and windows in their homes and cars. Women leaving a purse in plain sight in an auto provide an open invitation to the bad guys to smash a window to snatch it and any other items of value in the car. Because of the worsening economy, people desperate for cash are turning to crime.
At one point, Alliance President Bob Schulbaum asked Captain Calise if had heard anything further about using the soon to be vacated West Atlantic Avenue branch library as a station house for District 4 deputies. Captain Calise responded he had been told that option was off the table—the building was going to be used for storage and as a shipping point for library books, DVD’s and supplies. Schulbaum stated he felt having a Sheriff’s presence in the West Delray area was more important and he was going to press for that to happen with county elected officials.
Captain Calise emphasized to the audience that he wanted them to network with each other. “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. One community may have a security idea that others can use. Stay in touch with each other, talk about what’s helping to deter crime in your community.
Mr. Hank Fridette, representing LinkingCommunities.com explained a new concept in community connection through the internet. LinkingCommunities.com is a web based site where communities can sign up for their own web site at absolutely no cost. Law enforcement agencies, city and county governments, schools and businesses can link with individual community sites for immediate important information exchange. Call 1-888-222-4446 to reach him to enroll for your communities free website and/or obtain further information.
Jack Miles concluded the meeting by encouraging the audience to communicate with him via email at bojac701@aol.com.