INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police Conduct Operation Lifesaver at Railroad Crossings

After a long, hot day in the Florida sun, Operation Lifesaver's visit to Lakeland was a huge success. Our thanks to the numerous volunteers from FDOT and CSX who came out and help distribute safety literature to drivers at our three targeted locations. Several local restaurants helped with meals to feed the volunteers and keep them hydrated in the August heat and humidity.

   

The dedication of these volunteers and the sheer determination of the officers to get an educational message to the public was inspiring to watch unfold. Numerous media outlets, far to many to link to here, were at some of the locations as early as 5:30 this morning to begin broadcasting from the scene. Their interest in helping spread the message of safety was a tremendous help in reaching Lakeland and the entire Tampa Bay market. I hear we even had a photographer from the Orlando Sentinel visit the location in front of the police station to get some pictures. Our thanks to all of our media partners. Billy Townsend at the TBO Polk County New Blog did get the story posted on his blog this afternoon.

   

One of the locations targeted by Operation Lifesaver was Wabash Avenue and West Olive Street, the spot where four deaths occurred during a horrific collision between car and an Amtrak train earlier this summer. Volunteers distributed safety literature in the shadow of a memorial constructed at the intersection. The photos below are of that memorial.

   

In case you are wondering if all of this is really necessary, I have to tell you it is. While standing at the Wabash location this afternoon taking these photos, the freight train below approached from the east. The signal lights and alarm activated, and the crossing arms began to lower just like they are supposed to do every time a train in coming. This occurred as police vehicles were positioned around the intersection with their emergency lights activated and a bunch of uniformed cops standing beside the roadway.

   

Regrettably, I was too stunned at what I saw next to get a photo of it - two cars began to move across the tracks as the arms lowered with all of these cops standing there. One car made is across and the other continued forward beneath the crossing arm as it descended. The officers quickly hollered to the driver and told him to stop and back up. Simply amazing is all I can say - perhaps one day the message of safety will get into everyone's head.

In the mean time, we are planning our next visit to this location...this time not so much with an educational mission as one of strict enforcement. Please, drive safely and heed the warning of an approaching train. It is not worth the risk to try to beat the train, and these tickets are very expensive if you are so careless as to get one the next time we are there.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Conduct DUI Checkpoints

The Lakeland Police Department conducted a DUI checkpoint and several saturation patrols over the past weekend in an effort to remove impaired drivers from our roadways.

The checkpoint was held on Friday evening in the 700 block of Lake Miriam Drive. Over 700 vehicles were checked during 2 1/2 hours of enforcement in south Lakeland. One DUI arrest and one arrest for Felony Habitual Driving While License Suspended or Revoked were made during the checkpoint. Another 21 non-moving and 2 moving citations were issued by officers for various violations. One Possession of Marijuana arrest was also made during this event.

Saturation patrols on Thursday night in the area of South Florida Avenue, Old Road 37, and Edgewood Drive produced 4 DUI arrests, 4 criminal traffic charges, 16 speeding citations, and 8 moving citations.

A saturation patrol on Friday night after the checkpoint produced 3 more DUI arrests.

These enforcement initiatives are part of our participation in Florida's efforts to curb impaired driving just before and during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Our message is simple - Drunk Driving...Over the Limit...Under Arrest.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police to Conduct Awareness Program at Railroad Crossings

In conjunction with Operation Lifesaver, the Lakeland Police Department will be conducting a railroad crossing awareness mission in the city of Lakeland at three railroad crossings on Wednesday, August 29, 2007.

The three railroad crossings selected are:

• Wabash Avenue and Olive Street
• South Florida Avenue and Pine Street
• North Massachusetts Avenue and Pine Street

The exercise will occur in the morning from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM and again in the afternoon from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Those participating will hand out fliers to motorists at the railroad crossing locations containing information about railroad crossing safety. Operation Lifesaver is a national, non-profit educational organization with a mission of reducing deaths and injuries from highway-rail grade crossing collisions and pedestrian rail trespass incidents. Spokesperson Gary Fitzpatrick of Operation Lifesaver will be in Lakeland for the event.

For additional information contact Jack Gillen at 863-834-6949.

Weekly Crime Map for Aug 13 - 19, 2007

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map - 08/13 to 08/19.
Our thanks to Chuck at LakelandLocal.com for producing the map.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Update on Boston PD Use of Text Message TIP Line

We previously posted news from Boston regarding their police department starting an initiative to encourage crime tips and suspect information from the public via text messages. An article this morning from the BostonHerald.com gave an update on this project.

“It has performed beyond our wildest expectations. We had no idea it was going to work as well as it has,” Boston police Commission Edward Davis said yesterday. “It’s a great method by which the community can talk to us without fear of retaliation.”

The police rely on information from the public to help solve crimes. We appreciate every tip we can get to help us clear cases when we run out of leads. You can visit our Cold Case - Unsolved Homicides web page to learn more about previous unsolved homicides that we need your help clearing.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Stats ~ August 13 - August 19, 2007

Click the below link to view our weekly crime stats.

Download weekly_crime_report_august_13_august_19_2007.pdf

-Faye Tarpley, Office of the Chief of Police

Lakeland Neighborhood Ships Stuffed Animals to Iraqi Children

In case you missed Bill Rufty's article in this morning's edition of The Ledger, check out the story of how Sandpiper residents are planning to ship stuffed animals over seas to Lakeland Police Officer James Ring who is serving in Iraq. The animals are intended to be given to children in that country torn apart by war.

Ken Clawson from Sandpiper spoke with me one evening about a month ago regarding their project to ship these animals to Iraq where they are distributed by soldiers to children in local towns, but their contact was about to return home. Knowing that Lakeland Police Officer James Ring is stationed there but was home on leave at the time, we were more than happy to arrange a meeting where these deliveries could continue. Officer Ring was quick to assist in this endeavor as well.

Lakeland PD currently has two officers serving on active military duty, Officer Ring and Officer Dudley Eager. We have few more who are anticipating activation in the future. We are honored at their service to our nation. Our department continues to pray for their safe return and that of all the troops on the front lines of our nation's defense. Our humble thanks to them for their service to our nation - whether it's confronting the enemy or helping Iraqi children.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Rape Recovery & Resource Center Seeking Volunteers

Did you know that in 2006 there were 11,567 forcible sexual offenses in Florida? That means 32 people were victimized each day. The staff at Peace River Center's Rape Recovery and Resource Center are doing their part to educate the community and help the victims of sexual violence become survivors. To accomplish this task, volunteers are needed to carry out the Center's various programs.

The Rape Recovery and Resource Center is holding a public meeting for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 6:30 PM at the Center located at 1860 South Crystal Lake Drive (across from Grove Park Shopping Center). Volunteer positions are open in three main areas: 1) office work; 2) community outreach, and; 3) volunteer rape crisis counseling. The Center will provide training for all of these opportunities to interested and willing volunteers.

Attached is a flyer with information about the program and this meeting.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

School's Back: Safety is Everyone's Responsibility

Polk County schools are back in session, which means it's time for our traffic officers to once again focus their enforcement efforts around our numerous school zones. We urge all drivers to be aware of their surroundings as students walk or ride to school and wait around bus stops. Our thanks as well to the Lakeland Fire Department who have been out in force around our schools to remind drivers that school is back in session.

And this year we ask for one more thing...

Parents - please take a moment or two and discuss with your children the importance of them adhering to traffic safety as well. All too often our traffic tragedies are the result of a student darting into traffic or not looking before trying to cross a roadway. Drivers can only be so diligent in their efforts to watch out for students. This year let's also encourage our students and parents to share the responsibility for pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Here's to another safe school year for our students and community.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Disasters Produce Various E-mail Scams

Det. Dan Jonas with our Criminal Intelligence Unit has shared a reminder from the FBI that e-mail scammers tend to kick into high gear following natural disasters. Hurricanes and other tragic events, like the Virginia Tech shootings, the bridge collapse in Minnesota, and the mine disaster in Utah, are often followed with a flood of e-mail scams. These e-mails are sent with the criminal intent of soliciting for contributions for a charitable organization or some other good cause. Consumers should consider the following:

• Do not respond to unsolicited (SPAM) e-mail. Simply delete it.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via e-mail for donations.
• Do not click on links contained within unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to recognized organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
• Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.
• Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization.
• Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions; providing such information may compromise your identity and open you to identity theft.

Our community has always been quick to respond with financial assistance and other support after disasters. Following these common sense tips can help ensure your assistance goes where it is intended and prevent you from becoming a scam victim or identity theft victim. For more information, visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere