Lakeland Neighborhood Assoc Coalition Hosts Leadership Training

One of the strategic goals for the City of Lakeland is to create an informed and engaged citizenry. To help accomplish that goal, the Lakeland Neighborhood Association Coalition (NAC) hosted a leadership development class for their members this past Saturday at the Lakeland Police station. NAC is an independent coalition of neighborhood associations throughout Lakeland who work to improve the quality of life within their respective areas as well as work together to improve conditions throughout the community.

Saturday's day-long class focused on team building and the concept of crime prevention through environmental design.

The Florida Regional Community Policing Institute (RCPI) at St. Petersburg College supplied the instructors and classroom materials. The RCPI is a federally funded program with the U. S. Department of Justice COPS Office to provide free or low-cost community policing training to law enforcement personnel, community members, and other government leaders.

Sgt. Dan Bates from St. Petersburg PD (retired) and Lt. Kyle Cockream from Hillsborough County SO (pictured to right) were the RCPI instructors for this training.

The lessons learned from this training, as well as another class in planning that NAC hosted a week ago, helps our neighborhood leaders become empowered to move their neighborhoods forward. The training also teaches leaders how to work collaboratively with the police and other government agencies to solve local problems.

NAC representatives come from neighborhoods all over the city. They are a strong and vibrant group dedicated to improving the quality of life in our community. Contact me if you are interested in learning more about NAC or if your neighborhood would like to join the organization. I will be happy to put you in touch with NAC. My e-mail is bill.lepere@lakelandgov.net.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere