Tony Pustizzi – Chief of Police Coral Springs
The overall crime rate in Coral Springs fell by 6.8% in 2012 according to the latest figures released by the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) compiled by the FBI.
With the exception of shoplifting, the number of crimes in all robbery and burglary categories dropped significantly. For example, theft from vehicles dropped by 23%, the number of non-residential burglaries plunged 21%, robberies declined 13%, residential burglaries fell by 8%, and auto thefts dropped by 36% from 115 stolen vehicles in 2011 to 73 in 2012.
The Coral Springs Police Department started a number of new initiatives as well as redirected existing resources specifically designed to combat the growth in burglaries. In January 2012, for example, the Coral Springs Police Department started a special crime-fighting unit dedicated to preventing and solving burglaries. The Burglary Enforcement and Reduction (B.E.A.R.) Unit uses proactive methods such as analyzing crime data and intelligence information to determine times and locations where burglaries are likely to occur, educating residents on crime-prevention tactics, and conducting high-visibility patrols in targeted neighborhoods.
The B.E.A.R. Unit is just one new approach the Coral Springs Police Department took to combat the crime. The City also added three additional officers, invested in hi-tech crime fighting tools such as improved license plate readers, implemented the “Report a Crime Online” portal on the City’s web site, and continued to promote the “Make a Call, Make a Difference” program (954-344-1800), which allows citizens to report suspicious activity.
“The immediate reporting of suspicious activity by our citizens has assisted us in the apprehension of suspects while in commission of a crime,” Police Chief Tony Pustizzi said.
Citizen tips combined with good old-fashioned police work has not only reduced the crime rate in the City but has also allowed the Police Department to close more cases. The number of crimes solved increased by nearly 5% between 2011 and 2012.
“These new initiatives have proven that citizens and police officers working together can make a real difference,” said City manager Erdal Donmez. “Residents’ involvement has yielded huge benefits.”
Remember to call “Make A Call, Make A Difference” at 954-344-1800 to report any suspicious activity and help keep crime down.
Author Profile
- Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.
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