Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting--September 2015

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting-September 2015

Hi Croissant Park Neighbors,

Our September meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by our Association President Pat Rathburn.  All Board members were in attendance.

We took a few minutes to fill our bowls with the sample chili brought in for the chili cook-off before sitting down for the FLPD crime report.

Fort Lauderdale PD Officers Fernandez and Cuevas reported 4 residential burglaries, 1 auto theft, and 14 auto break-ins. They  informed us that our crime numbers were down for July and August, however the number of auto break-ins is out of control.  Folks are leaving valuables in plain sight in their locked and unlocked cars. Regarding house break-ins, ROC unit, Rapid Offender Control is monitoring our neighborhood and they are somewhat successful in apprehending the bad guys.  Crime in our area goes up by 60% when school is out, and the offenders are mainly after items for ID theft like driver’s licenses and credit cards, etc. rather than large ungainly items that make it hard to run away. On another subject  someone commented that she believes a neighbor, who has since moved away, had been filming pornography in their home, and she asked if it is illegal.  Surprisingly, Ofc.Fernandez  told us it is not illegal for one’s own use, but it is illegal for profit or if a child is involved.

Ofc. Fernandez gave us a thorough description of the street drug called Flakka  that has made a dramatic appearance in our area.  Flakka is a synthetic bath salt from China that produces a euphoric high that lasts 24 hours, causing hallucinations, paranoia, extreme high body temperature, deranged behavior and super-human strength.  Flakka creates an immediate addiction, and consequently a rapid decline of a user’s lifestyle. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain, taking the place of crack and heroin on the street. Hospital ER’s are flooded with users who have violent reactions and it is considered an epidemic that puts a severe strain on health care facilities and police departments. It can be disguised as candy wrapped in bright colors and we are advised to carefully check all Halloween candy for any signs of Flakka.  It can also be inserted into cigarettes.  Flakka can be sent through the mail so law enforcement agencies are monitoring United States Postal Service packages and have been successful in confiscating as much as one kilogram of the drug per week for the last 6 months.  Arrests of users and suppliers are made and the offenders bond out and hit the streets, re-arrested over and over again. This has become a serious problem for law enforcement as well as the court system with no obvious solution yet.  We are advised to call the police if we see someone acting erratic, never try to engage with them yourself, as they are irrational and extremely strong while using Flakka. Officer Fernandez has urged us to contact him directly with any concerns or questions, either by cell phone (954) 479-3183 or email ifernandez@fortlauderdale.gov.  

Many people are concerned about speeding on our streets and Ofc. Fernandez has told us he will alert the motor unit that we need them to monitor the neighborhood for speeders and to start writing tickets for the offenders.  A neighbor asked why 40 mph is allowed on 4th Avenue and the answer came from our President Pat who said it is a County road and they consider it a major artery to and from Downtown.  

At the recent District III Joint HOA meeting the FLPD discussed many new items and procedures available to the law enforcement community.  One very interesting item is a Lo Jack Safety Program for individuals at risk.  It works in the same manner as a Lo Jack for a car that has been stolen.  The individual at risk, i.e. an autistic child or an elderly person with Alzheimer's, wears a bracelet that looks like a watch and if they wander from the home the Lo Jack system can find them through radio frequency devices.  The FLPD has had 100% success rate.  The cost is $100 for the bracelet and $30 per month for the service.  We hope to have brochures available at the next meeting. 

The traffic study that the Association had done a few years back has been dusted off so we can review the recommendations for ways to slow down the speeders that we have on certain streets in our neighborhood. The study’s primary suggestion is to install a speed hump to deter speeders.  The residents on 15th Street are very concerned and some have expressed an interest in a speed hump, and others would rather not have one.  A consensus of 75% of the residents on the street is required and then  the request goes to the City.  If any of those 15th Streeters want to obtain a petition to start the ball rolling, contact us at mycroissantpark@gmail.com  

The subject of sober homes has come up again. In the past the Board created a map indicating the known locations of all the sober homes/halfway houses in Croissant Park.  Unfortunately it is an ever-changing landscape.  We request that you email Board member Joe Russell at jvcarina@aol.com if you know for sure of any residences in our neighborhood that operate as a sober home/halfway house. We will attempt to update the map. The State Senate and House have passed bills that would enable a process for certification of these homes.  It will be a volunteer certification, but without the certification they would not be eligible for referrals of clients from substance abuse treatment centers.  A neighbor has asked if we can change our zoning.  The Board will look into it.  Our Pres. Pat has discussed our issues with Mayor Seilor, specifically the loss of our family-oriented ambiance by way sober homes and large new structures built to the lot lines.

We are seeing many more homeless people wandering our streets.  Some of this may be attributed to the ordinance that prohibits the homeless from gathering in parks Downtown at night.  According to Commissioner Romney Rogers they have reduced the clumps of homeless and have dispersed them.  

Croissant Park Civic Association will be participating in the annual Halloween event at the Community Center on Saturday, October 31st from 4-6 pm.  That falls on the actual Halloween holiday for a change.  We can always use volunteers to help with the kids’ games, costume judging, bubble blowing, hot dog and soda sales.  It’s a hoot and we would love the help.  

Paul Ruble was the winner of the chili-cook-off and wins free membership for 2016

Beth Falkenhagen & Patricia Hjornhede

. Congrats Paul!  Thanks to all who shared their chili with everyone.

Thank you, Jack Timmins of T&T Realty who always brings some fun gift for everyone.  This month Jack supplied us with Tic-Tacs.  Not a bad idea after all the fire-breathing chili.

Patricia Hjornhede won the 50/50 raffle.

Hope to see you all at our last meeting for 2015 on Tuesday, October 27th at 7pm.

Minutes by Virginia Dill Russell- Sec’y CPCA