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Citizen Patrol Program Interest Up

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was willing to give the citizens of Town 'N Country a second opportunity to show their interest in the Volunteer Citizen Patrol program, and Thursday night they were rewarded for it.

A group of 72 residents attended the Citizen Patrol workshop at Webb Middle School, 6035 Hanley Road; quite a difference from the eight who attended the workshop in September.

"It's an awesome show; this touches all our hearts," Lt. Frank Baker said to the attendees. "This makes me know you want to make a difference in your community."

Because of the turnout, Sgt. Carlos Somellan told the crowd that he approved the program in Town 'N Country. The boundaries will be from Waters Avenue to Hillsborough Avenue and Sheldon Road to Benjamin Road, although it likely will go farther south to include the Bay Crest Park neighborhood. The boundaries could expand.

Sheriff's deputies and members of the volunteer patrol program showed up to express the importance of the program and communicate how anyone in the neighborhood can participate and help.

The citizen patrol program grew out of the Freedom Corps after the Sept. 11 attacks. It began in Hillsborough County in March and as of September, the program has 38 volunteers who patrol Apollo Beach and Westchase. A class is training to patrol Bloomingdale.

The neighborhoods are chosen for their combination of high property crime and low violent crime.

Volunteers undergo 40 hours of training where they learn CPR, traffic control, crossing guard duties and radio communications. Once volunteers graduate, they are expected to participate for at least one surveillance slot a month. Citizen patrol hours are 6 a.m. to noon, noon to 6 p.m. and starting in March, 6 to 10 p.m. The night hours are an addition for those who work during the day but want to participate in the program.

When volunteers are on patrol, their duties are to assist, but not put themselves in danger. They aren't assigned weapons. They receive a uniform, use hand-held radios that keep in contact with dispatchers and deputies and make their rounds in patrol cars that are marked and equipped similar to deputy cruisers.

Deputy Lorraine Jordan, the volunteer program coordinator, said 50 applications were handed out at the meeting. At least 15 people are required to sign up for the program to be cost effective.

Although no one signed up at the meeting, Jordan is optimistic.

"I think we'll definitely have a class over this," she said after the meeting. "I was very, very pleased with the turnout. I think this program is going to grow. I think it's time. We need to take back our communities."

Best friends Joshua Goodreau, 19, and Jasmine Larry, 18, attended the meeting and planned on signing up. For the duo, the program is a step closer to their dream of becoming police officers.

"It gives you a hands-on experience of what I'll be doing in the future," Goodreau said.

For Larry, it's also a way to help his neighborhood.

"I want to help the community out and get the gangs off the streets," he said.

Joseph Perez, 61, has lived in Town 'N Country since 1986 and he also plans on becoming a volunteer. Because he is a retired law enforcement officer, Perez said he thinks he can play a part in the program.

"I see a lot of things going on," he said. "The neighborhood has deteriorated. I feel it's something I can give back to the community."

Since its inception in Hillsborough County, the program has helped reduce crime in Apollo Beach by 39 percent and by 18 percent in Westchase, Somellan said.

VOLUNTEER CITIZEN PATROL
CONTACT: Lorraine Jordan, volunteer program coordinator, at (813) 247-0944 or visit www.hcso.tampa.fl.us

VOLUNTEERS: Must be U.S. citizens, 19 years old or older, have a valid driver's license and pass a screening process.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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