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A SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE SECURITY COMMITTEE

Don’t my property taxes already pay for that!?  

Certainly everyone pays their fair share of taxes, and property taxes do go to pay for police services.  Let’s take a quick look: 

A $500,000 house in Rio Vista pays a millage rate of 16.4392 or $8,220 in property tax.  The City of Fort Lauderdale millage rate is 4.2536, so the City takes $2,126.80 of the total property tax bill.  According to the City of Fort Lauderdale’s budget documents, the total City budget for 2009 was $327,485,911.  The Police department’s budget was $91,647,022 or approximately 28% of the overall budget.  So, if we take 28% of the City’s $2126,80 on your property taxes, the Police department gets about $595.50 of your property tax bill.  According to the Police budget, the Operations Division (the folks driving the cars out on the street) receives $45,134,284 of the overall Police budget.  That adds up to 49% of the overall Police budget, or $291.80 of your tax bill.  But remember, this is the Police budget for the entire City.  The budget shows 247 officers assigned to Operations.  Let’s say 6 of those are assigned to work Rio Vista, or 2.4%. That means about $7 of the property tax bill actually goes to policing Rio Vista!  $7 out of $8220 works out to about .08%.   

We know that prior to the patrol we rarely saw police in our neighborhood.  The reality is that even though there were officers assigned to our area they spent most of their time responding to calls in neighboring areas and rarely made it east of US1. 

With the Rio Vista Security Patrol, we are able to piggyback on the City’s existing administrative costs and spend almost 100% of the fund directly on patrol hours in Rio Vista.  Protect Rio Vista costs our participants $1 per day.  I can’t think of a better value for the peace of mind we receive. 

We have fewer than 300 member households as of this writing.  There are 950 households in Rio Vista.

400 participating households would allow us to schedule 12 hours of coverage per day (we currently have between 7 and 8).

We urge all of you to encourage your friends and neighbors, living in Rio Vista, to join the Protect Rio Vista initiative. 

Warm regards,

Co Chairs Protect Rio Vista

Lucy Weber
Realtor/Broker
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Florida 1st Realty
954-648-2976 
 
Gerry Weber
CEO
Lady of America Franchise Corp.
954-610-1128    

We recently had a meeting with Sgt. Scelfo who heads up our detail.  He shared the following highlights with us: 

During 2009, the Rio Vista Security Patrol made 21 arrests inside the borders of Rio Vista. A breakdown of those arrests is as follows:  

• 1 Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling
• 7 Possessions of a Narcotic
• 1 Federal ICE Warrant for Dangerous Alien
• 3 Active Warrants
• 1 Violation of Probation
• 3 Driving on Suspended License/ No DL
• 1 Possession of Amphetamines
• 1 Driving Under the Influence
• 1 Disorderly Conduct
• 1 Alcohol Violations
• 1 Solicitation w/o City Permit

Additionally, the Rio Vista Security Patrol developed the probable cause for 2 additional burglary residence cases which resulted in the issuance of arrest warrants. Both subjects were later arrested outside of Rio Vista. Please note that all of these arrests most likely would not have been made without the existence of the Rio Vista Patrol.

Also, did you know that the Rio Vista Security Patrol operates on foot, bicycles, unmarked patrol cars, and the marked Rio Vista patrol car? Just because you see the patrol car parked, doesn’t mean we aren’t on duty! Currently, the patrol operates approximately 7 to 8 hours per day.

A quick glance at the 2009 crime stats of Rio Vista versus other similar neighborhoods continues to show the benefits of having a neighborhood patrol. However, it is important to realize that community safety is a team effort. Here are some tips to help ensure a safe and enjoyable Rio Vista:  

• Lock Your Car Doors and Remove Valuables

Burglaries to unlocked vehicles continue to be our #1 crime in Rio Vista. These are often crimes of opportunity, so by locking your car and removing valuables, you can actually stop this from occurring. Often targeted items include: IPods, GPS units, cell phones, purses, backpacks, and laptops. Really, we can’t stress this tip enough. I’m sure that if everyone did this consistently, we could reduce vehicle burglaries by 50% in Rio Vista.  
 

• Remain Vigilant for Suspicious Activity

Criminals don’t like to be noticed, and they will often leave at the first sign that someone has realized what they are doing. It’s a good thing to get to know your neighbors and keep an eye out on each other’s property. Keep an eye out for activities that seem out of place.  
 

• Report Suspicious Activity to Police

Noticing suspicious activity isn’t enough if you don’t report it. Many times we hear stories like, “I saw that strange truck back up to my neighbor’s house, but I just didn’t want to bother the police with calling.” If you see something suspicious, please don’t hesitate to report it. Members may call the patrol cell phone, and non-members may reach the Ft. Lauderdale Police Non-emergency line at 954-828-5700.  

Remember we publish the complete monthly logs on the RVCA website.  The patrol has also done more to calm the traffic in our streets than any speed bump will ever do. Making our neighborhood a safer place for our children to play. 

Notable Items from recent logs:

Thursday, July 22

Friday, July 23

Tuesday, June 22

Sunday, June 13

Sunday, June 6

Thursday, June 3

Monday, May 17

Sunday, July 11, 2010
11445            Began patrols and checks of vacation homes

1640            All (18) vacation homes were found to be secure; however, I was assaulted by a overly friendly peacock on Ponce De Leon who eventually decided I was not his idea of a good playmate and resumed his peacock activities (whatever it is that they do).  No peacocks were harmed in the making of this computer entry.

1755            Assisted FLFD with the rescue of a puppy stuck under a wooden fence between yards.  After a little modification to the puppies positioning he was freed no worse for the wear.  Once again there was much rejoicing!

1815            Patrolled the Yacht Club parking area, Cordova Road area and all of the Isles.

1900            Checked the Federal Hwy business district.

Monday, July 12, 2010

1730            Initiated vacation checks of homes in the isles.

1900            Started checks of homes west of Cordova from out of town log.

2000            Completed vacation checks. 
.
2100             Patrol of neighborhood access points off of Federal.  Multiple trucks circulating neighborhood for bulk trash pickup.  Vehicle found to be overloaded or improperly equipped are stopped and directed from neighborhood.

2200            Patrol presence along Cordova and access from south.

2300            Final tour of neighborhood.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

0730 – Patrol Isles, Cordova, and LYC. Complete Isles house checks during patrols.

0930 – Continue patrols in Rio, Ponce, and area parks.

1100 – Remaining house checks completed during patrols.

1700            Responded to alarm;  Set off accidentally by resident. MI card completed

1900            Delivered checks to station

2100            Checked Yacht Club parking areas

2300            Stopped motorcyclist wandering down SE 9 isle.  Was lost due to tunnel closing.  Directions given.

2330            Backed up unit out with 3 suspicious subjects at 700 SE 12 Ct

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

0845            Began patrols and checks of (21) vacation properties (raining)

0905            Patrolled the parking lots of the Rio Vista Community Church (secure)

1200             The remaining vacation homes were found secure.

1215            Patrolled the Yacht Club and all Isles (beginning to rain harder)

1315            Checked the Federal Hwy business corridor

1400            Patrolled the parking lots of the Rio Vista Christian Church (secure)

1440            Stopped a suspicious vehicle wandering about SE 8 Street and Rio Vista Blvd, couple was lost due to road detour, trying to get back to the Las Olas Blvd areas. Directions were given and they went along their way..

1515            Stopped by and checked in with resident who had been away on vacation, he advised all was well with her home when she had returned and thanks us for taking care of her.  She advised also she did get some packages that had been moved to the rear of the home.

1800            Conducted checks of parks and SE 9 ave areas.

1900            Conducted checks of isles.

2000            Conducted checks along Federal and refueled car.

2100            Circulated Cordova and N. Rio Vista Areas.

2200            Attention given to access points to neighborhood at SE 9 Ave, Ponce, 9 St, 8 St and Cordova

Thursday, July 15, 2010        
0745            Completed all vacation checks on the isles.

0830            Continued vacation checks.  I also checked LYC.  It is quiet in the neighborhood as it is raining pretty heavily.

0915            Completed all vacation checks.

1700    Area secure, began corridor patrol regarding cut-thru rush hour traffic.

1744    Call on detail phone regarding a homeless B/M loitering in the area of 6 st & NRV.
            Contact made. He advised he made a wrong turn
            from 17 st and can’t find his way back to Federal Hwy. He was given directions and
            made sure he got there.

1830    Corridors secure, resumed neighborhood patrol.

2000    All secure.

2100    Parks, LYC, corridors and neighborhood secure. 10-7.

 Friday, July 16, 2010

1740            While conducting vacation check, found open rear door.  Set off alarm.  Contacted homeowner, reset alarm, secured door and left via garage.

1920            Responded to alarm.  All appeared OK

1940            Flagged down for lost little white dog Ashy.  Found dog running down sidewalk and helped corral for owner. 

2000            Flagged down by Patti who was passing through Cordova who found a little white poodle wandering in the road.  Only had on a rabies tag.  Tried knocking on several doors in the area with no luck.  Animal control reported the dog was registered out of Cooper City.  Left message.  Dog was given to Patti to hold for the night. 

2040            Flagged down by assistant who was looking for little white dog.  Called Patti who returned back to the area with the dog.  Dog was returned to its proper home.

Saturday, July 17, 2010
1530            In service.  Called Mr. Weber, left message.  No messages on phone.  Began many vacation homes checks.

1615            Found vacation home had an open garage door and most all doors to the home were unlocked.  Patrol responded and assisted me in clearing the house and boat at dock.  While waiting for a call back from the grandson, the owner drove up.  He stated he came home for the weekend and it was he who left everything open.  I asked him to please call us to advise when he arrives/leaves again and also reminded him it is important to secure his home every time he leaves, even for brief periods.

1800            Finished checks, began general patrols of all areas.

Sunday, July 18, 2010
1645            Began patrols and checks of vacation homes

1820   Call on cell phone from a member reference to a suspicious vehicle and a driver walking
           up to houses on Ponce. Located vehicle and stopped it for running the stop sign on Ponce
           at SE 9th Ave. Driver is a handyman passing out flyers. He was cited for the stop sign as
           well as having an open beer in the vehicle.

1930            All vacation homes were found to be secure.

1945            Continue patrols of Rio Vista.

Monday, July 19, 2010
1130            Anonymous call regarding kids setting off fireworks at Virginia Young Park last night around 22:41 hrs. 

1200            Began patrols and vacation home checks.

1305            Dispatched to residence reference a vehicle burglary.  16 year old resident left her wallet sitting on the passenger’s side seat of her Land Rover.  Door was locked/window was smashed.  Only wallet was taken.  No suspect information.  Construction workers next door heard/saw nothing.  OR #10-77657

1400            Resumed general patrols/vacation checks. 

1700            Patrolled areas west of Ponce and parks. 

1800            Patrolled all of the isles and Cordova.  .

1825             Check out vacant home and conducted a records check on green Kia parked in front.

1900            Stopped by Church on SE 9 St to see if a RVCA meeting was being held.  No meeting tonight.

2000            Continued patrol of the neighborhood.  All quiet.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
0730            Completed all isle vacation checks. 

0802            10-50, 1000 block North Rio Vista on FLA TAG 097-WHL.  Made contact with the driver, who was the cleaner for a residence.  I advised the cleaner that they had to stop at the stop sign while driving.  A warning was issued and I will resume vacation checks.

0832            While conducting the vacation check I discovered an AC repairman.  He advised me he was doing regularly scheduled maintenance.  I checked the house and all was okay.

0845            Completed all (20) vacation checks.

0920            Flagged down by homeowner  reference a custody issue with her ex.  She was seeking legal advice.  I referred her to the SAO.

1700            Checked Yacht Club parking areas

1745            Stopped one way violator on SE 9 Ave.  Warning given.

1800            Flagged down at S. Rio/ Se 9 St reference a loose dog.  Returned to owner.

2010            Received call  regarding a suspicious car parked in front of their residence with the car running and someone in the passenger seat.  Passenger claimed to be waiting for her sister who runs in the area and was waiting for her to return.  She moved her car and went on her way.

2100            Stopped vehicle for disregarding one way on SE 9 Ave.  Subject  currently living at the Seagate hotel driving whi 07 Mercury Milan ADPY77.  On bond for narcotics (pills).  Claimed to be visiting a friend.  Refused search, very nervous.  Valid license, no warrants.  Citation issued.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
0730              1 message on phone:  call (address not given) at 01:41 to adviser her daughter’s purse was stolen with house key in it. Requested additional patrol until the morning when home locks were being replaced.  Began patrols.

0745            Began patrols of Cordova/LYC area and vacation checks in isles.

0830            Started other vacation checks and patrols of Ponce/Rio areas.

1800            Patrol of parks, Ponce, Rio Vista and access streets between SE 9 Ave and Federal.

2000            Circulated each isle and Cordova Rd, check of the yacht club.

2100            Checked areas off of Federal.  Monitored traffic entering neighborhood at Cordova, SE 7 St, SE 9 St and Ponce.

Thursday, July 22, 2010        
0730            Completed all vacation checks on the isles.

0845            While checking residence I found the front door opened.  I made contact with the neighbor, who was staying at the house.  She had permission to be there.  She advised that this would be the last night.

0915            Checked LYC and completed all 16 vacation checks.

1445            Began patrols and re-checks of vacation homes

1540            Traffic Stop SE 9 Ave/SE 11 Ct., driver of yellow convertible pulled into traffic on SE 11 Ct. nearly causing a traffic accident into path of S/B car.  Driver stated that he thought it was a 4 way stop intersection.  Citations were issued for failure to yield right of way and expired tag.

1730            All vacation homes checked secure

1800            Patrolled Yacht Club/Isles/Cordova Road area

1850            Removed intoxicated homeless type W/M who was consuming beer from the rear of the ventilation station on tunnel park construction site.  The subject was ordered to leave and walked W/B on the River walk into the park area.

1915            Foot patrol of SE 7 Street/Isle  

2000            Moved Rio Vista patrol car to Virginia Young Park.

2035            Assisted resident with temporary road closure while a large vessel was being parked on S. Rio Vista Blvd.  Traffic flow was quickly restored.

2055            Foot Patrol of Ponce De Leon/SE 9 Street back to my patrol car

2105            Dispatched to residential alarm (malfunction)

2120            Attempted to assist FLPD unit with report of a burglary of auto at Workscapes 624 S. Federal Hwy., however the victim was not located on the property, broken window glass was visible in the parking lot.  The call was coded out as a suspicious incident no detail available.

2155            Spoke to FLPD Officer Burndt who passed on information of a burglary to a residence report he had taken early today.  The burglary had occurred after 9 PM yesterday, (Wednesday) July 21.  A suspect is a very large muscular B/M driving a black newer Chevy Avalanche who had approached the contractor of this property under renovation during daylight hours inquiring about buying the home.  After conversing with the contractor for a considerable time the B/M asked if he might use the restroom in the house and was permitted.  Later that night the home was burglarized with all appliances, range vent and construction tools stolen.  The POE was the bathroom window which the B/M suspect had been allowed to use earlier, no forced entry the window was found to be unlocked during the investigation.

2220            Check of parks (all quiet)

2345            Maintained high visibility patrols near entrances to Rio Vista

Friday, July 23, 2010           
1600            10-8, message from resident regarding the theft of her golf cart overnight.  FSU custom golf cart.  Report already taken by patrol.  Called her back and discussed the issue.

1700            Flagged down by resident regarding the boat on the dock being too close to his property line (ongoing dispute).  This time he wished to make a formal complaint.  Contacted the property owner who is an elderly resident who rents the dock.  Also contacted Code for follow up.

1730            Call from resident who was burglarized this afternoon at approximately 1pm.  Report was already taken by patrol.  Side window was broken and only a small tv was stolen from the house.  Met with them at length to discuss security issues.    Canvassed the neighborhood to look for video cameras.  Contacted one neighbor who said he should have footage and would call me back.

1930            Received call back from neighbor for me to come and view his video.  After lengthy review of footage, observed a small black 4dr sedan with dark tinted windows come up and down the street with perfect timing for the burglary.  Printed out 2 photos. 

2100            Returned to victim’s home and provided photos of the car.  Apparently the neighbor to her west  also had a matching footprint and a broken light on the privacy fence between their 2 homes.  Supplement to burglary report completed and photos placed into evidence.

2130            Responded to a burglary auto just occurred at the Blockbuster.  Backed up patrol unit which stopped a possible culprit in 1200 blk Miami Road.  Turned out not to be the culprit.  Victim suffered a smashed window and stolen laptop.

2300            Patrolled area with extra patrol to SE 11 Isle

0100             Patrolled area, federal hwy.

0220            Responded to alarm at a residence.  Arrived 2 minutes after calltaker took call.  Checked the home, all appeared secure.  MI completed.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

1430            (2) Calls on detail phone-
           
Resident desires to speak to a detail unit in reference to a possible issue with her phone line being damaged 15’-18’ above the ground she is concerned.  I will stop past her home today during my patrols and speak to her.

1500            Patrol began and checks of (19) vacation homes were started.

1645            Located unsecured rear door to vacation home.  Neighbor responded and advised that he had forgotten to lock the door again after checking the property for his neighbors.  The door was locked once again and all was secure

1730            I spoke to residents reference phone line above.  On Friday at about 1215 hrs their alarm system made a 911 call to the police department.  This call was not intentionally made so the homeowner had the telephone company come to the residence and check the system for possible problems.  It was discovered that the hard line telephone wire had been cleanly cut 15-18 feet above the ground which had caused the phone to make a 911 call.  The  fear this was a “test run” by a would be burglar to see if the police would respond to the alarm and fear their home may soon be targets of criminal activity.  Extra patrols have been requested.

1845            All remaining vacation homes were found to be secure.

1900            Continued patrols of the neighborhood, extra attention given to areas of recent activity.

2010 – Patrol Isles, Cordova, and LYC…

2100 – Patrol Rio, Ponce, and area parks.

2200 – Patrol Federal business district (vehicle and foot).

2215 – W/M juvenile in front of check store 1100 block of Federal. Was just walking and talking on the phone as his sister was inside the psychic store. (should have knew I was coming).

2230 – W/M found on rio church property with a flash light. Was a security guard employed by the church.

2300 – Continue patrols, and drive by re-checks of vacation homes.

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