ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE STEPHEN ROBITAILLE

February 21, 2006 - The Galt Mile Community Association hosted two of FLPD’s finest at their February 16^th Advisory Board meeting. Assistant Chief of Police Stephen Robitaille of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department was accompanied by Major Mary Negrey of the Galt Mile’s Police District 1. They gave members a “State of the Department” overview, touching on issues that affect the Force, the Galt Mile neighborhood and the City of Fort Lauderdale. Chief Robitaille reviewed post-budget crisis Department history, outlined recent root organizational changes and, along with Major Negrey, addressed efforts to curb Galt area crime.

Assistant Chief of Police Stephen Robitaille has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. The 24-year FLPD veteran earned Associates and Bachelors Degrees from Florida Atlantic University and the State University of New York at Farmingdale. After joining Fort Lauderdale’s Police Force on April 4, 1982, he was promoted to Sergeant on January 20, 1991. 9 years later, he achieved promotion to Captain on March 5, 2000. On October 24, 2004, he was promoted to Major, assuming full responsibility for Police District III. When Assistant Chief Al Ortenzo retired last year, Chief Bruce Roberts selected Robitaille to head the critical Operations Bureau. As the Chief’s right arm, he is responsible for all uniformed police services in the three police districts, the Community Support Division and the Operations Support Division. His jurisdiction includes SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), the Crisis Negotiations Team, Community Policing, the K-9 (Canine) Unit, the Motorcycle Squad, Bicycle Patrol, the Mounted Unit, the Bomb Squad, the Honor Guard, the Dive Team, Marine Patrol and Traffic Homicide. Personable and candid, the new Assistant Chief demonstrated a comprehensive grasp of complicated FLPD organizational strategies, the City’s political environment, staff temperament and Galt Mile issues. Inasmuch, Robitaille proved equally conversant with Fort Lauderdale’s street problems as with Departmental mechanics.

FORMER INTERIM CITY MANAGER ALAN SILVA

Like every City agency, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department was knocked for a loop by the Budget Boondoggle. While the Police and Fire-Rescue Departments side-stepped the staffing cuts mandated by City Hall a few years ago, they were forced to weather an employment freeze. To promote the City’s recovery, the Administration had to introduce severe austerity measures that caused employee morale to tank. While the City did secure the jobs of cops and firefighters, recruitment was put on hold and overall manpower ebbed. Personnel lost to attrition weren’t replaced. Cops nearing the back end of their careers opted for early retirement rather than endure the belt-tightening that proliferated after officials admitted to falling asleep at the switch. Every nickel of overtime pay was carefully scrutinized by interim City Manager Alan Silva and the suddenly spending-conscious City Commission. New recruits and disenchanted vets sought employment in neighboring municipalities. Were it not for an emergency Code Fine Amnesty Program having raised $1.3 million at the eleventh hour, the City’s Public Service Aides program would have been abandoned. Staffing levels were dangerously low.

CITY MANAGER GEORGE GRETSAS

The tough medicine worked. The stern fiscal therapy capped expenses while skyrocketing property values pumped a windfall into municipal tax coffers. Recent Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s rating upgrades for the City’s bonds have punctuated the success of a mercifully expedited two-year recovery plan. Chief Robitaille stated that City Manager George Gretsas allocated resources adequate to fund aggressive recruitment efforts once the budgetary clouds parted in 2005. He said, “The Department is participating in ‘Career Days’ held at military bases or sponsored by Universities. To get good candidates, an attractive package is being offered to potential officers.” Unfortunately, recruitment efforts have run into a snag. While attending a recent conference of Florida Police Chiefs, Robitaille was alerted to the stiff competition for “new blood”. In order to fill the Department’s 20 current vacancies, Fort Lauderdale will have to successfully compete with offers from Police Departments across the State.

PRESIDENT BUSH ADDRESSES OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN BROWARD CENTER

Last year was tough on the Department. The Organization of American States (OAS) selected Fort Lauderdale to host their General Assembly. From December 2004 until the June 2005 event, security preparations for the prestigious International Forum stretched Departmental resources to their operational limits while recruitment and training temporarily took a back seat. The second half of the year brought 3 hurricanes and the tragic death of Officer Jose A. Diaz while conducting a felony traffic stop.

OFFICER JOSE A. DIAZ DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Despite these difficulties, the year ended on a positive note. Responding to questions about the crime rate, Robitaille admitted that “Part I crimes (violent crimes including murder, rape, etc.) increased in the first six months of 2005.” Robitaille said, “Providing security for the OAS conference distracted the recovering Department’s focus from its primary mission.” In mid-year, however, the situation improved. The Assistant Chief said that during the first 3 months of the second half of 2005, “the increasing crime rate was finally checked. The full second half saw a 3% decrease in Part 1 crimes. Compared to the 2005 annualized crime rate, current 2006 statistics show a 5% decrease. In fact, compared to the first 6 months of 2005, the current rate represents a 10% decrease.” Chief Roberts and his senior staff had engineered a timely turnaround in FLPD’s battle for Fort Lauderdale’s streets.

While filling out the Force’s staffing requirements is critical for the Department’s future health, aside from improving general morale, it yields little immediate tangible benefit. The Assistant Chief explained, “During their first year, new recruits undergo intense training. They spend 16 weeks honing their skills at the Police Academy. Graduates then spend another 16 weeks gaining valuable experience under the guidance of an FTO (Field Training Officer).” While the minimum age for applicants is 19, Departmental screening procedures vastly favor candidates of at least 21 years of age. Almost 30% of the Force has seen only two years of service. Relying on a common sports analogy, Robitaille characterized 2005 as a rebuilding year. 30 new officers are currently enrolled in the Department’s rigorous training program. The young Department heralds a bright future.

Assistant Chief Robitaille credited management initiatives for the Department’s recent successes against the burgeoning crime rate. He outlined some of the operational improvements inherent in the Department’s new Action Plan. Robitaille said, “We created a ‘Tactical Impact Unit’ to better target current problems. As the crime environment changes, this flexible unit adjusts its focus, responding to new threats as they become imminent.” By closing the gap between the initial identification of a threat and the Department’s response, FLPD minimizes both the impact and the duration of crime trends. The Unit’s recent preoccupation has been with violent crimes. The Department has also instituted a new policy stressing better communications. “COMPSTAT meetings are convened on a weekly basis,” said Robitaille. These progress meetings keep every relevant Departmental entity up to speed. Increasing the frequency of these meetings also promotes improved accountability throughout the Department, precluding the unintentional loss of important data that could otherwise slip through the cracks.

CHIEF OF POLICE BRUCE G ROBERTS

Robitaille said, “FLPD includes 515 sworn officers and 200 to 300 civilian positions.” He exclaimed the Department’s Public Service Aides to be “an invaluable asset.” Working with three Crime Prevention Detectives, the PSAs perform a wide variety of tasks that would normally tie up several officers. The Galt Mile neighborhood has been a favorite target for vehicular invasions. PSAs regularly distribute local alerts in neighborhoods experiencing these types of mostly avoidable crimes. Robitaille commented, “By passing out material in shopping centers and speaking at Community Centers, Hospitals and Associations about simple measures like not leaving valuables or keys in the car, they not only abate the crime rate - but allow sworn officers to handle tasks for which they were uniquely trained.”

MAJOR MARY NEGREY

Major Mary Negrey seconded Robitaille’s contention that Chief of Police Bruce G. Roberts’ recent improvements to the Department’s management strategy have been extremely effective. Her Police District 1 jurisdiction (which extends from Sunrise Boulevard north to the City limits) enjoys “the lowest rate of dangerous Part 1 crimes in the City.” She agreed with Robitaille that Galt Mile residents are predominantly victimized by avoidable crimes. She said, “Leaving a laptop computer, a purse or a cellular phone visibly unattended in a car is an open invitation to snatch it.” She categorized the type of crime often perpetrated in the Galt area as “Quality of Life” violations. According to Assistant Chief Robitaille, when the budget crunch thinned resources, enforcement against “Quality of Life” violations was neglected in favor of addressing more dangerous crimes.

Major Negrey addressed the Galt Mile’s seemingly entrenched Homeless population. She described Fort Lauderdale’s Homeless Outreach Program as one of the best – and most effective – in the Nation. Specially trained officers attempt to offer a spectrum of services to the City’s Homeless. The Major declared, “The Galt Mile’s popularity among its Homeless population stems primarily from the misdirected generosity of its residents.” Enigmatically, many Galt residents labor under the misconception that their donations to local Homeless people will encourage their “moving on”. In fact, it produces the opposite effect. Since Homeless people generally gravitate to more “lucrative” locations, local and national experience universally confirms that a neighborhood’s attraction to Homeless persons is directly proportional to the “generosity” of its residents and local merchants. The Major characterized the vast majority of Homeless as harmless, although she said that an “above average percentage of the Homeless population suffers from an assortment of mental health problems.”

The City recently undertook to discourage Homeless persons from staking out all the benches along the Galt Mile by moving some of them onto private Association property. The Major clarified, “While law enforcement is constrained from preventing anyone who wishes to sit on the public benches, trespassing on private property is an actionable offense.” However, the police require that a complaint be made against a trespasser prior to enforcing the law. At the suggestion of Major Negrey during a previous meeting, the Galt Mile Community Association secured signed affidavits from its member Associations, providing authorities with official complaints against anyone not authorized to occupy benches located on Association property. Her idea has been surprisingly effective. Elderly Galt residents initially intimidated by these uninvited visitors have again reclaimed many of the street’s benches – thanks to the Major.

POLICE PLAN GALT TARGET AREA - THE 3700 BLOCK OF A1A

Major Negrey also reviewed the latest results of Police Chief Bruce Roberts’ “Traffic Enforcement Action Plan”. Created after an April 2005 meeting at the Beach Community Center about unrestricted noise disturbance from motorcycles racing along A1A, the plan was designed to clamp down on dangerous driving as well. Since the Chief committed himself to transforming sections of A1A often used as an unofficial racetrack into a safe thoroughfare, Major Negrey’s troops have issued over 1,361 citations, seized several vehicles and made related arrests including a few drug busts – as of January 26^th. She said, “We intend to continue enforcing the traffic plan.” Several members expressed appreciation for the Major’s proven dedication to the Galt Mile Community. Others voiced support for her sustained effort to discourage dangerous driving along A1A. Members agreed that if the dangerous stretch of A1A developed a reputation as a “traffic checkpoint” – a buzz word for speed trap – the neighborhood would realize a long-term safety benefit.

NOISE METERS CANNOT BE USED TO MEASURE TRAFFIC NOISE

The Major explained that the sound measuring equipment ordinarily used to discourage noise pollution cannot be utilized for traffic noise. Since participating officers must exercise subjective judgment when evaluating a disturbance, these actions are difficult to prosecute. When appropriate, they alternatively cite equipment violations that are often the source of the noise. For instance, Motorcycles with no pipes (mufflers) or straight pipes receive equipment violations. While officers can occasionally check for baffles to confirm the acceptability of a muffler, Assistant Chief Stephen Robitaille acknowledged that some illegal after-market mufflers are so well disguised that it is almost impossible to distinguish them from their legal counterparts.

Members queried Major Negrey about the recent closing of the Fuddruckers Restaurant that served as an unofficial gathering site for motorcycle enthusiasts. With the restaurant's closing, area residents planned on enjoying relief from the intolerable noise disturbance that stigmatized the neighborhood at night. To preclude the establishment of another restaurant as a replacement motorcycle hot spot, Major Negrey rolled up her sleeves. The grapevine identified the Ale House as Fuddruckers’ heir. She had previously contacted Ale House Management in May of 2005 concerning their weekend “bike” events which she successfully terminated. Expecting to take advantage of their close proximity to Harley Davidson of Fort Lauderdale on N. Federal Highway, the Ale House planned on inheriting Fuddruckers’ uncommitted “biker business”. Mustering diplomatic skills for which she is largely unappreciated, the Major discouraged Ale House management from becoming the new “Noise Central”. To affix the final nail into the coffin of an undisputedly bad idea, she enlisted Harley Davidson of Fort Lauderdale’s cooperation as well.

GMCA PRESIDENTS COUNCIL CHAIR PIO IERACI

Major Negrey reported to Chief Roberts that police enforcement ordinances are insufficient to squarely impact the problem. She took the initiative to investigate how neighboring municipalities contend with similar problems. Her research prompted her to suggest the passage of an anti-revving ordinance. We also support the passage of the regulatory tools she needs to change A1A’s current status as a vehicular demilitarized zone.

Asst City Manager KATHLEEN GUNN

Last month, when asked by Presidents Council Chair Pio Ieraci if the Police Department’s diminished manpower was responsible for increasing the crime rate, Assistant City Manager Kathleen Gunn referred him to the Safir Rosetti Report. Commissioned by the City to investigate this issue in early 2005, the report states, “When compared to a comparable population group of cities, Fort Lauderdale in 2004 was the highest in authorized force and spending per 10,000 residents and among the lowest in Calls for Service handled per Police Officer. Authorized staffing levels are not the driving factor of the recent crime increase in Fort Lauderdale. This recommendation is based on a belief that current authorized staffing levels, if effectively organized, managed, deployed and utilized, should be appropriate to fulfill the department’s mission.” The report recommends regular COMPSTAT meetings as part of an administrative reorganization that imbues all levels of the Department with full accountability. It also recommends the formation of a special unit designed to quickly respond to changing crime patterns.

The strategic Departmental improvements described by Assistant Chief of Police Stephen Robitaille and Major Mary Negrey appear consistent with those recommended in the Safir Study. Evidently, the management recommendations made in the report were effectively implemented by Chief Roberts’ office. Thanks to the intelligent teamwork displayed by Chief of Police Bruce G. Roberts and City Manager George Gretsas, every City resident will reap the benefits of a more effective Police Department. It is particularly commendable that they accomplished this impressive achievement by using their heads, not our tax dollars!

Assistant Chief of Police Stephen Robitaille’s office is located in the Operations Bureau at 1300 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33312. To contact the Assistant Chief, call (954) 828-5589 or email at srobitaille@fortlauderdale.gov. To visit the Assistant Chief’s FLPD web page, Click Here. To visit Major Mary Negrey’s FLPD web page, Click Here. To contact Major Negrey, call (954) 828-5479 or email her at marys@ci.ftlaud.fl.us. To contact Chief of Police Bruce G. Roberts, call (954) 828-5590 or Click Here to email his office. To view the Chief’s FLPD web page, Click Here. If you are interested in reviewing the Safir Rosetti Study, commissioned to help City officials improve services, Click Here.

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