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January 16, 2008
January 15, 2008
Policing Political Campaign Stops
By now you have no doubt seen something about Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani making a campaign appearance in Lakeland on Monday evening. The local press covered this political event as did Cat Carter over at blog.ylakeland.com. You can see numerous photos on Cat's blog, but you will see more at her Flickr photostream. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read her blog and then look at the numerous photos taken of this campaign stop in our town.
In more than one photo you will see several Lakeland Police officers. You might wonder if we were there to protect Mr. Giuliani. The answer is no, LPD was primarily responsible for crowd control and traffic safety rather than serving as personal security for Mr. Giuliani. Our Public Information Officer, Mr. Jack Gillen, as also there to assist with the media covering this event.
Candidates arrange for their own security details at this stage of the campaign process. Mr. Giuliani's advance team contacted us to make arrangements for this stop, but they maintained responsibility for protecting the candidate. Secret Service protection comes into the picture for major presidential and vice presidential candidates, and their spouses, within 120 days of a general presidential election. The exception to this being Mrs. Clinton who gets a Secret Service detail as the former First Lady of our nation.
Local police will generally be responsible for maintaining a peaceable assembly at these events, but we do not provide personal protection for the candidates. Further, we do not prohibit counter demonstrators from making an appearance. It's all about policing to ensure our First amendment rights.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
January 12, 2008
Sgt. Debbie Moore Retires from LPD
After a career that began in 1978 as a Parking Enforcement Officer, Sgt. Debbie Moore retired from LPD on Friday. Family, friends, coworkers, and fellow retirees gathered to thank Sgt. Moore for her many years of service to the community and to wish her well in her retirement.
She was encouraged by Officer Hugh McRorie many years ago to move up and apply for a police officer's position, telling her that she could do the job at a time when we did not have as many women police officers as we do today. (Now retired himself, Hugh returned to attend Debbie's retirement party.)
Sgt. Moore held a variety of assignments throughout the department, including patrol officer, detective, and sergeant. As one of only a few female supervisors, she excelled as a leader within the Patrol Division and the Community Services/Crime Prevention Unit. She retired on Friday as the Supervisor of the Operational Review Section where she was responsible for Internal Affairs, Accreditation, and Staff Inspections.
I had the good fortune of being one of her original Field Training Officers many years ago, and found her to be an exceptional police officer. Since that time we worked together in a variety of assignments over the years. Debbie is a person of incredible personal integrity and compassion for the people she meets. She took her job seriously, insisting on nothing but the best of herself and others, but always found time to share a smile with you.
As is typical for police officer retirements, Chief Boatner presented to Sgt. Moore her shield, retired officer credentials, and her service weapon. He thanked her for being a strong leader and trendsetter within the Lakeland Police Department. She leaves a big void for others to fill in her footsteps.
We wish the best to Sgt. Moore as she moves into a new chapter in her life.
Happy trails my friend...
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
January 11, 2008
Weekly Crime Map for Dec 31, 2007 - Jan 6, 2008
Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map - 12/31 to 01/06.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
January 09, 2008
Behind the Scenes in Producing Weekly Crime Maps
It seems like once a week we were offering our thanks to Chuck at LakelandLocal.com for his help in generating the code that produces our weekly crime maps. That all stops this week thanks (once again) to Chuck for getting us up and running so we can produce the code ourselves.
Chuck makes mention of this accomplishment over at his blog, noting that LPD is now able to get the crime maps out to the public faster than before. The reason we are able to do this is due to the generous community service he provided by starting these pin maps and then teaching us how to produce them with Google maps. These maps have been picked up by other local blogs and even blogs across the state.
We have been producing crime maps in-house for several years, but our software made it difficult to export the data in a form that allowed us to publish the maps on the Internet. That has all changed now.
Thank you once again, Chuck, for your assistance with these maps.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
January 08, 2008
November 2007 UCR Figures Released
The November 2007 Uniform Crime Report is now available on the Department's website. Please note these figures through the first 11 months of the year are preliminary pending our end of the year audit, but they do show a basic overview of reported crime in Lakeland.
Our complete annual report of crime will be released in February following submission to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and confirmation of the numbers.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
Weekly Crime Map for December 24 - 30, 2007
Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map - 12/24 to 12/30.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
January 07, 2008
Lakeland Police Introduce New PAL Executive Director
The Lakeland Police Department is pleased to announce Mr. Tim Abram is the new Executive Director of the Lakeland Police Athletic League. The public is invited to meet him at a social function on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM, at the Apostle Henry Ross, Sr. Family Life Center, located at 1302 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. (Map of this location available here)
Tim was born and raised in Lakeland, having attended Lake Gibson High School where he was the captain of the football team. He was the leading rusher in Polk County during the 1991 school year, and later set a state record by rushing for 315 yards in a district game. Upon graduation from high school, Tim attended Grambling State University where he played for the legendary Coach Eddie Robinson, Sr.
He earned his BS degree from Grambling in Leisure Studies/Therapeutic Recreation and later obtained his MBA from Everest University. Tim and his wife, Tomeka, live in Lakeland with their two children.
Tim brings a diversified background to the PAL position, but all of it is grounded in the belief that working with children can promote positive lifestyle habits and improve the welfare of youth in our community. PAL's goals are to instill good health habits, good sportsmanship, and high morals and civic standards in the youth of the community. This is accomplished by helpful fulfill the need for recreational, educational, and social activities that are designed to rehabilitate youthful first-time offenders, and prevent their return into the criminal justice system.
Come join us tomorrow evening and welcome Tim Abram to Lakeland PAL!
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
January 04, 2008
Lakeland Police Seek Public Help with Recent Copper Wire Thefts
The Lakeland Police Department is seeking information regarding the theft of copper wire from City of Lakeland Electric substations. These substations are situated at various locations within and outside the city limits. Most of these thefts occur during the night. The amount of copper wire stolen indicates that a vehicle must be used to transport the stolen wire.
The public is being asked to report anything suspicious occurring at these electric substations. Don't assume that subjects seen on property at these locations are authorized to be be there. If anyone sees anything suspicious or observes persons on these properties, please report this information to the Lakeland Police Department at (863) 834-6900 or the Crime Stoppers number below.
Anyone with information regarding these thefts who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a $500 cash reward is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS. Anonymity is guaranteed!
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
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