Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting—October 27, 2015
Hi Neighbors,
Our October meeting began, as usual, with the Pledge of Allegiance. All Board members were in attendance.
An assortment of pies were brought in by various members, including apple pie and a homemade key lime pie from the baker’s own backyard lime tree! Thank you, Rhonda. A welcome treat to kick off the upcoming holiday eating season.
FLPD Officer Meredith Tisch gave us our crime report for the latter part of September and for October to date. There were three residential burglaries, four vehicle break-ins and three vehicle thefts. Three of the vehicle break-ins occurred at the cemetery. In two of them the cars were not locked, and in one case the window was down with a purse on the seat. Ofr. Tisch reminds us that the bad guys rarely will use forced entry unless they see something of value in plain sight, so lock up and put anything of value in the trunk or out of sight. A few neighbors inquired about retrieving possessions that had been stolen from their homes. If they were pawned, there is a good possibility they could be retrieved, but often stolen goods are taken to the Swap Shop or similar flea markets and are rarely retrieved. Putting serial numbers on our valuables is one very good way of possibly recovering stolen items. Most of the residential and vehicle burglaries are committed by kids, as evidenced by the rise in crime rates during Spring Break, summer and other school holidays. Once the youths are arrested they are kept for a maximum 21 days, then they may or may not go to trial, depending on the evidence. If a large item like a flat screen TV is stolen, often the perp will hide it in nearby bushes to be picked up after dark so as not to be seen in broad daylight carting away a large, awkward item. If this has happened to you, check the area around your home.
There will be a Halloween party at the Community Center on Saturday, Oct 31st from 4-6pm. Kids of all ages dress in hilarious costumes, play games, get their faces painted, do a few arts and crafts. You are welcome to volunteer to help us sell hot dogs and drinks, judge the costume contest. It’s a hoot.
The new slate for 2016 for the Croissant Park Board of Directors includes Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Beth Falkenhagen, Joe Russell, Virginia Dill Russell, and two new nominees Jodi Perraud and Nicohle Kallio. It was moved and seconded by Association members to elect this Board of Directors.
The topic of sober homes has become our major issue of late. These residences are protected by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Ordinances cannot be passed that don’t apply to everyone. In order to regulate any group housing, the regulations must apply to all transitory rentals, i.e. vacation homes, crew houses, sober homes, etc. However, vacation rentals are a well-regulated group that are subject to background checks, finger printing and are known locations in the neighborhood, whereas unregulated sober homes are cropping up in large numbers. In January 2016 a voluntary certification will be available to owners and operators of sober homes. Without the voluntary certification there will be no referrals from the various recovery agencies. A 16th Street resident asked if our RD-15 zoning is encouraging homes with many bedrooms, which in turn discourages the concept of single-family homes. Our Association President Pat Rathburn has invited various City officials, none of whom got back to her for this meeting. The next time we invite a City official we need to fill the room and show them this is a matter of great concern to us. We need everyone to help so stay tuned and we will let you know when. If you know the address(es) of sober homes we would like to keep track of them as they crop up in the neighborhood. Contact Joe Russell by email at jvcarina@aol.com. Not all of these homes are a problem, but if you have any problems you can call Code Enforcement at (954) 828-5207.
A neighbor, Robert
Kienzle who lives in the area east of SW 4th Ave on 20th St. has informed us of a gravel street from SW 20th St to SW 2nd Ave. that has become a short cut speedway for semi-tractor trailer trucks. He spoke to a transportation project manager with the City, and would like the Board to look into it.
The 50/50 raffle was won by Joe Russell who contributed his winnings back to the Association. Thanks Joe
Our next Croissant Park meeting will be January 26, 2016. See you then…Happy Holidays!!
Minutes by Virginia
pictures by Rhonda
pictures by Rhonda
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