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Nationwide, volunteers make a difference every day. While most are behind the scenes supporting various agencies, Bloomingdale residents will soon see a highly-visible volunteer literally cruising their streets. These volunteers are members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program (VCPP), an initiative designed to put citizens on the street as extra eyes and ears for law enforcement.
More than 30 area residents attended the November 8 kick-off meeting held at Bloomingdale West Park and hosted by the Sheriff's Office to introduce the program and gauge volunteer interest. Program Coordinator, Deputy Faith Nadel says, "I am ecstatic with the number of people that showed up this evening. This program increases cooperation between the community and Sheriff's office and the increased presence of the volunteers helps to deter crime."
Nadel provided attendees with a program overview and with the steps needed to become a VCPP volunteer (see volunteer requirements, boxed insert). The Bloomingdale VCPP is an expansion of the successful programs started seven months ago in the neighboring communities of Apollo Beach and Westchase. Thanks in part to the added VCPP presence in those areas, crime has been significantly reduced.
The process begins with an application. After an application is submitted, Nadel begins an intensive screening process which includes background and fingerprint checks, a physician's health statement and an interview.
She states, "We want to ensure that our volunteers are of the highest level of character."
Once accepted in the program, volunteers undergo between 40 and 60 hours of training over a three-week period. Training includes driving instruction, first aid with CPR certification, traffic control, radio communications, and scenario-based training. After completing training, volunteers set their own patrol schedules, but must work at least one shift per month. The six-hour shifts run twice daily seven days a week.
Citizen patrol volunteers work in pairs, wear uniforms and will patrol Bloomingdale neighborhoods in specially-marked patrol cars. With no arrest or detention authority, their jobs will include reporting suspicious activities to regular law enforcement, assisting with traffic and school crossings, and conducting vacation checks. By handling these non-emergency and routine calls, deputies can be more responsive to emergency calls explains Nadel.
Attendees came from all over the Bloomingdale area and ranged in age from 19 to 72. The reason many cited for attending was to give back to their communities. Twelve-year Bloomingdale resident David Randolph explains, "I want to see what the program is about because I am interested in my community and I want to protect my investment. I also see a need; our deputies are strapped."
Echoing those sentiments was Roger Reynolds, a FishHawk resident, "I want to help the community and the sheriff's department. I feel if one person can make a difference in stopping crime I would like to be that person."
Capt. Rob Bullara, Crime Prevention Bureau, summed up the program's importance. "Citizen Patrol is absolutely necessary due to budget constraints. Our deputies are short-handed and this is a way to take back your community and triple the manpower out there."
Residents who missed the meeting, it is not too late to make your neighborhood a safer more secure place. For an application or information regarding the program, contact Deputy Nadel at 247-8223 or via email at fnadel@hcso.tampa.fl.us.
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