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.
