P.S. (Joe) Shover Citizenship Award Presentation (2024)

Patricia Rathburn receives
P.S. (Joe) Shover Citizenship Award

The Joe Shover Citizenship Award was created to recognize those who best exemplify dedication, activism, and leadership in protecting and enhancing the quality of life in our community.

This year (2024), we honored the Croissant Park Civic Association’s President, Patricia Rathburn. Pat began serving on the Board of Directors in 2007. As President, Pat attends meetings with the District 4 City Commissioner and regularly attends meetings on issues pertaining to District 4 and city-wide issues. 

Pat has worked tirelessly with the city to improve our neighborhood walkability and ADA accessibility and create safer biking paths and lanes throughout the southwest neighborhoods.  She spearheaded Croissant Park’s 100th anniversary party and coordinated activities and events to ensure its success.

Using her legal expertise gained in decades of representing neighbors in real estate transactions, estate planning, and other civil matters, Pat has drafted countless letters and emails to the city regarding issues and projects that directly affect the safety and integrity of our neighborhood.  She has fought for Croissant Park’s best interests, protecting and enhancing our home values and the safety of our residents.

In addition to serving on the Croissant Park Civic Association board, Pat is on the Boards of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and the City Board of Adjustments.

Pat's dedication to the well-being of our neighborhood, her activism, and her leadership exemplify the qualities of an individual who contributes to making Croissant Park a nice place to live.

presented by Michelle DiMaria

pictures by Rhonda Kramer

If you haven't already sent in your 2025 membership dues, you can use the application below, PayPal, or Zelle at CroissantParkCivic@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming meetings: February 25th—Pet Foto Contest, May 27th, June 24th, September 30th, and October 28th in the Croissant Park Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

Farewell to Curtiss Berry

CURTISS CROSBY BERRY

Mr. Curtiss C. Berry of Ft. Lauderdale passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022, at the age of 90.

Curtiss was born September 16, 1931, the 5th son of Rena Couch and Martin Berry.

Curtiss was a lifelong resident of Ft. Lauderdale.

After graduating from Lutheran High School in Ft. Lauderdale, he worked at the United States Post Office.

Curtiss joined the Army in March 1952 spending 30 months stationed in Germany.

After being honorably discharged he returned to Ft. Lauderdale and went back to work at the United States Post Office.

In December 1955 he began his truck driving career working with American Oil Company (AMOCO).

He later became a Commercial agent for Amoco (self-employed).

In 1956 Curtiss married Patricia Cramer and they had 3 children Michael, Rena, and Jill.

In 1967 he started Berry Brothers Oil Company. After selling the oil company in 1985 he started Curtiss Berry Trucking which consisted of hauling heavy equipment, cranes, bulldozers, etc. with his wife and son, Michael.

His wife, Pat, began a career with the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Curtiss was a lifetime member of the Federal Little League assisting Floyd Hull with the building of the stadium.

He was also a lifetime member of the Lauderdale Small Boat Club, where he held office as Commodore and was on the board of directors. He was active with the waterway clean-up and enjoyed boating and participating in the boat parades.

Curtiss was very active with the Croissant Park Civic Association, held office as President, and was active on the recycling committee.

In the '60s Curtiss suggested installing an Air Horn on responding fire trucks to alert drivers.

Curtiss served on various City of Ft. Lauderdale boards for many years. After retirement Curtiss enjoyed growing tomatoes, visiting with friends in the neighborhood, and playing lotto.

Curtiss loved animals, feeding any that came around and helping his neighbors with many tasks including digging holes with a backhoe, planting trees for the beautification of Ft. Lauderdale. Many neighbors would stop to talk to Curtiss to get advice or just pass the time.

Curtiss was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers David and Gene.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Berry, children Michael Berry, Rena Greenway (Alfred), Jill (David), his grandson Joshua, his brothers Clifford and Martin, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on February 4th, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at:

Barbara Falowski Funeral Home, 900 NW 5th Ave, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33315

Graveside service will be held at the Lauderdale Memorial Gardens immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to:

Wounded Warriors Veterans Association or P&J Animal League, 410 SW 18th Street, Fort Lauderdale FL 33315 - a 501(c)3 or call 954-303-3860

 

Croissant Park News - February 2020

Please click on the link below for the full Newsletter: or copy and paste in a new window. Thanks, Rhonda Kramer https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EU-7AAvqYFDFVJskyRSjWZh6MMySqFPB

2nd Annual BARK in the PARK

2nd Annual

BARK in the PARK

Saturday, October 26, 2019, 

9 am-11 am

It was so much fun last year that Croissant Park Civic Association Director, Jodi Perraud and her neighbors on 20th Street have organized another event!  It will take place between SW 2nd & SW 3rd Ave. There will be music, pet parade, food, pet rescue group and a walk around the neighborhood.  So dress them up or come ‘au-natural’.  It should be a lot of fun for everyone—even if you don’t have a pet, bring the family and get to know your neighbors—both 2-legged and 4-legged kind!  Keep checking Nextdoor for updates.

 

To promote a safe and healthful environment, all dogs are required to be on a leash and participants must comply with all guidelines and laws in accordance to Broward County’s key provisions of Chapter 4 of the Broward County Code, the Broward County  Animal Care Ordinance

Bryant Peney Park

Help build a community playground at Bryant Peney Park

The City of Fort Lauderdale and the Fraternal Order of Police is seeking volunteers to build a new park playground on Saturday, January 10, 2015, to coincide with the passing of Patrolman Peney, who died in the line of duty in 1996 at age 27. A dedication and luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. following the build.

The event will take place at Bryant Peney Park, 2100 SW 4 Avenue, beginning at 8 AM. Parking is available at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery.

If you are unable to participate, but would still like to help, donations may be made to the Bryant Peney Scholarship Fund. www.bryantpeney.com

To register please click or copy the below link:

http://fortlauderdale.force.com/voluntee...

For more information, please call Gina Rivera at 954-828-5786.

BARC

Message sent to Tim Ryan:

The Croissant Park Civic Association Board would like an update on the County's proposal to relocate the BARC facility.  Thank you, Beth Falkenhagen


Response:

Dear Ms. Falkenhagen:

Thank you for e-mailing me to request an update about the status of the relocation of the Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC), and to express your concerns about this issue, as well as about sober houses in your neighborhood.  I am happy to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Currently, Broward County and the City of Fort Lauderdale are in negotiations to reach an agreement that would allow for BARC to be moved from its current location in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood to county-owned property on SW28th Street between SW 4^th Avenue and SW 3^rd Avenue. 

I understand and share some of the concerns you have about sober houses, but there are some differences between BARC and sober houses that are important to keep in mind.

Sober houses are group homes run by private companies, and unfortunately are not currently regulated at all.  Such facilities can thus range from being very reputable and well-run programs, to operations run by unscrupulous persons concerned only with profits. There are limitations on the type of regulations that can be placed on sober houses, under the federal Fair Housing Act and Americans With Disabilities Act.  Nonetheless, I fully support efforts by the Florida Legislature to require sober houses to be inspected and certified by the Department of Children & Families to ensure these facilities meet basic health and safety requirements.   Proposed legislation did not pass during the 2014 Legislative Session, but my colleagues on the County Commission and I will continue to advocate for its passage.

In contrast with privately-run sober houses, BARC is a county-run residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment program that has operated in Broward County for more than 40 years.   In the time that BARC has been in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, there has not been any data that suggest an increase in criminal activity related to BARC’s presence.

There are a number of reasons why I support the relocation of BARC to its new location in a primarily commercial/industrial area of Fort Lauderdale on Southwest Third Avenue, south of State Road 84.

First, it’s important for BARC to be located near the Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Most people who receive treatment at BARC choose to do so under the authority of the court, and they remain under judicial supervision throughout their treatment.  The new BARC site is close to the courthouse, so that BARC’s patients can receive both the treatment and court monitoring they need.

Second, the county has made several changes to the design of the new BARC facility that will make it a better fit for the SW 4th Avenue site and surrounding area.

• Originally, the county planned to have two social service agencies on the site – the BARC and the Nancy J. Cotterman Sexual Assault Treatment Center.  The county is now willing  locate only BARC on the site.
• The county is also willing to locate BARC on the east side of the site, and to have the building’s entrance facing east along SW 3rd Avenue in a commercial/industrial area.  This will leave more buffer space between BARC and the nearby Seagull School.
• The county has also agreed to list the western part of the site for sale on the open real estate market, which will allow for development in keeping with the surrounding commercial and light industrial activity in the neighborhood.  This will both add economic activity and place property back on the tax rolls.

 

These are significant improvements to the plan that address many of the concerns raised by residents and several of us on the city commission.

One final point to keep in mind is that in the time that BARC was located in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood, it was a good neighbor to the residents there. We did not have any significant criminal or other undesirable activity associated with the facility or its clients. 

Most of the people at BARC simply want to complete their treatment, remain in good standing with the court and get their lives turned around.  I fully expect that will continue with BARC in its new location.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts about this issue with me.

Sincerely,

 

Tim Ryan, Vice Mayor

Broward County Commission – District 7

115 S. Andrews Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(954) 357-7007

tryan@broward.org

MEMORIAL DAY 2014 IN CROISSANT PARK

A 50+ year tradition in Croissant Park. We are very fortunate to have Lauderdale Memorial Park within our neighborhood - the perfect spot to commemorate the people who fought so we could live free.

Croissant Park's very own hero - Deputy Fire Chief, Bob Simac

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

Croissant Park Neighbor since the 60's

HELPFUL CONTACTS

Building Services 954-828-6520 700 NW 19th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311-7834

City Manager's Office 954-828-5013

Code Enforcement 954-828-5207

A citizen can report a code complaint by calling the Code Enforcement Division at 954-828-5207 or sending an e-mail to code@fortlauderdale.gov .  Please provide information regarding the location and nature of the violation. The inspector assigned to the area will conduct an inspection of the property and if it is determined that a violation exists, will enforce accordingly. Residents are encouraged to report possible code violations (such as overflowing dumpsters, overgrown lawns, tenants living in housing that fails to meet minimum housing standards), other municipal code violations that affect the health, safety, or aesthetics of the community, and criminal code violations.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau 954-765-4466

City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service Center (24-hour) 954-828-8000

For inquiries regarding water, sewer, storm repairs, maintenance, solid waste/trash, and recycling. The City provides 65-gallon garbage carts for all household garbage, 90-gallon carts for yard waste, and recycling bins for newspapers and other recyclables. This is also the number for Public Works.

Dogs/Canine Beach Permits 954-828-7275

Driver's Licenses (State of Florida) 954-497-1570

E M E R G E N C I E S Dial 9-1-1

EMS (For Non-Emergency Medical Services) 954-828-7421

Graffiti Hotline 954-828-6402 Contact the FLPD graffiti hotline to report graffiti.

Information (City of Fort Lauderdale): City Hall 954-828-5000 Public Information Office 954-828-4746

Mayor's Office/City Commission Office 954-828-5003

Parking Services 954-828-3700

Parking Services provides: Resident Beach Parking Cards to residents for free and reduced cost beach parking, information on Sun Trolley which runs every 10 minutes and costs 50 ¢ and citation payment.

Police Department (Non-Emergency) 954-828-5700

Property Appraiser's Office (Broward County) 954-357-6830

Sewer Repairs (24 Hours) 954-828-8000

Call to report sewer problems, backups, sewage in the roadway, or emergency repairs.

Street Lights  954-828-8000

You no longer have to call FPL to report problems with Street Lights, you can call the City of Fort Lauderdale.

SoLO - South of Las Olas

Is SoLO district in Fort Lauderdale's future?

By Larry Barszewski, Sun Sentinel

June 8, 2013

Never heard of the trendy hotspot?

Don't be surprised someday if you're in Fort Lauderdale and get a hankering to go SoLO.

Maybe that's because right now it exists only in the mind of a businessman who's got plans for an upscale billiards place — "It's kind of like Blue Martini meets old pool hall," he says — and a similarly fashionable bowling alley on South Andrews Avenue.

SoLO — South of Las Olas — would be an entertainment and retail alternative to Las Olas or Himmarshee in the downtown area. The area would extend along Andrews from Las Olas to State Road 84, with its heart from Davie Boulevard to 17th Street.

"I think it's about time something happened on this side of town," said ex-yachtie William Dixon, enjoying an afternoon draft at Tap 42, a popular 11/2 -year-old bar and restaurant that's considered a model for what's possible on South Andrews.

"When Tap 42 was going in, it was like 'Wow. This is a great place. We don't have to go to Las Olas to have a drink,'" said Patricia Rathburn, who lives in nearby Croissant Park. "I think something else there that will bring people to South Andrews at night and make it more lively will be great for the area."

Enter Michael Rechter, CEO of Integra, a real estate and entertainment company that has developed shopping centers in Vero Beach and Stuart, each having the bowling and pool-hall concepts he's planning to bring to the SoLO district he envisions.

"We are going to have some interesting things to offer to people in Fort Lauderdale who five years ago wouldn't have even of thought of that area," Rechter said. "What we'd like to do is prime the pump."

Rechter is not the first to see the area's potential. The part of the avenue south of the Tarpon River was originally developed as a retail corridor in the 1930s and Tap 42 replaced Brownie's Tavern, which had been Broward's oldest bar before closing in 2009.

A group of local businesses formed the South Andrews Business Association more than a decade ago and pushed for a redevelopment plan for the blighted area that was finally approved by commissioners in 2010. It is designed to create a mix of homes, offices and shops and has relaxed parking requirements to entice businesses to the area.

Development of the area — near Broward Health Medical Center — also stands to benefit from the Wave, a $142.6 million electric streetcar project that will run down South Andrews and initially connect it with Las Olas and the Flagler Village community to the north.

"It's a much better street since we opened," Tap 42 co-owner Sean McMackin said. "It was absolutely horrible when we first came down here."

Rechter plans a Stix Billiards in the vacant, church-like, former firefighters union hall at Andrews and Fifteenth Street, a block south of Tap 42, and he hopes to finalize a location for his proposed bowling alley this week.

While Rechter anticipates opening the billiards hall by the end of the year, McMackin said that might be too ambitious given the various zoning, building and utility issues that come with an older area.

"What we thought would be an easy thing to do, change an old bar into a nice new bar, took a lot longer than expected," McMackin said. "It took us two years."

Rechter's Oakland Park-based company is taking the long view on SoLO and not expecting overnight change. He's looking for where the area will be in a decade, hoping it can follow a path like the SoHo district in New York or Wynwood in Miami.

"We'll take whatever space we possibly can and bring art, entertainment, dining to it," Rechter said. "Now, even though it's early still, I don't believe it's too early."

Raymond Dettman, president of the Poinciana Park Civic Association, is eager for South Andrews to take off and to have the remaining blighted, vacant parcels redeveloped.

"I think what we all want is more activity," Dettman said. "If that's a bowling alley or a pool hall, I think that's great as long as they don't impact the neighborhood."

Dixon, the former yachtie, thinks SoLO would draw a different type of crowd.

"It's a little bit too touristy on Las Olas," Dixon said, sitting at the bar at Tap 42. "I think this tends to have more of a local feel."

lbarszewski@tribune.com or 954-356-4556

Copyright © 2013, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

What's on Nextdoor?

Dear Neighbors  - here is a sampling of the kind of information that was quickly dispatched to the neighborhood this week.  It started with an Urgent Alert because it had just happened and the criminals may have still been in the area.  The result was an arrest and property returned.  If you have not already signed up for CroissantPark.Nextdoor.com, you might want to get on-board.  You can sign up for Urgent Alerts via text messages to your phone, or just monitor what's going on when you feel like catching up on neighborhood goings-on.  You can control how often you receive emails, or not receive them at all if you choose and just check in to follow what's happening at your leisure.  Check it out.

Urgent alert6 Jun

Virginia Dill Russell from Croissant Park

house burglary at 600 block of SW16th Street between 7:15 and 9am Thursday morning.

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK 5 REPLY 15

Cathie, Carroll, Michael and 2 others thanked Virginia Dill

Newell Holt from Croissant Park6 Jun

Police are looking for a white male, thin build, early 30's, goatee, looks rough, had a hat on this morning, has been seen walking around the neighborhood near three breakins in last few days. If you see him call 911 & tell them you see the suspect in case number 13-63931. Police say we will see him again. They think he lives nearby.

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Kimberly Bishop O'Steen from Croissant Park6 Jun

Would love to see a mug shot if anybody can advise us when one is posted. Is it too early to tell if he is a suspect in any of the other break ins?

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Kimberly Bishop O'Steen from Croissant Park6 Jun

Just FYI, I have an awesome security camera system being installed today if anybody needs any footage in the future. Will have cameras on SW 16th St. and SW 6th Ave, including my alley.
Kim

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Steven Cook from Croissant Park6 Jun

Who is doing the installation and how much?

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Kimberly Bishop O'Steen from Croissant Park6 Jun

Mark Leer, of Leer Security. I'm going with the good stuff, with all IP Cameras, as opposed to the Analog, which everyone is selling so cheaply right now. I have 8 cameras going in, both around my ... View more

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Fritz & Rhonda Kramer from Croissant Park6 Jun

would love to come over and see how it works when you get it put together. My inexpensive system is quite sensitive and annoying to watch a replay of every moth that flies by at night and I get a recording of every headlight reflection hitting my windows. Otherwise we can make out people quite well. Rhonda

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Kimberly Bishop O'Steen from Croissant Park6 Jun

I'll let you know when it's finished.
Have you ever heard of any neighborhoods putting cameras on the light poles? I'd bet that there would be plenty of neighbors who would help pay for a system that could help monitor the neighborhood. Just curious... Kim

Sent from my iPad

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Newell Holt from Croissant Park7 Jun

An update for everyone - we were called by the Hollywood Police late yesterday afternoon telling us they had arrested two juvenile black males who they caught breaking into a house in Miami about 1 hour after they apparently broke into our house in the 600 block of SW 16th street. Our break-in was at approximately 9:05am yesterday (Thursday). In their car the police found our two stolen laptops and two iPads. We went to Hollywood and retrieved them. The detective told us there are gang members in Hollywood who rent a car, put dark film over the windows and then drive to Ft Lauderdale and/or Miami to burglarize homes. They are organized and dangerous. The detective told us to tell our neighbors to be on constant lookout for people and vehicles who do not seem to "fit" in our neighborhood and report them immediately to 911 along with some description, license number, etc. He said when responding the police often meet the suspects going the other way and need some description of the vehicle, especially something that sets it apart, so they will recognize it and can react. We are happy to have our stuff back and that the criminals are in jail. However, I do not think this is the end of the crime in our neighborhood. Hopefully, all of us can be vigilant and help the police put an end to this.

ThankRemove

Rosemary and Virginia Dill thanked Newell

Fritz & Rhonda Kramer from Croissant Park7 Jun

would you mind if I post this information on the Croissant Park Civic Association blog, Facebook page and email list? Not everyone is on Nextdoor and your input could be very effective information for the neighbors? Please let me know. Rhonda

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Newell Holt from Croissant Park7 Jun

That's fine with me.

Sent from Newell Holt's iPhone

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Tony Puentes from Croissant Park8 Jun

Thx for the heads-up. Is there a typical car type they use?

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Jean Ready from Croissant Park23h ago

I appreciate this information and will continue my neighborhood watch. Always sorry to hear of this gang activity and so glad that your stolen articles were returned. Thank you, Hollywood PD.

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Michael Jaramillo from Croissant Park16h ago

thanks for the update and your vigilance.

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Newell Holt from Croissant Park8h ago

I don't know whether there is a favorite type of vehicle they use, but the police said they usually black out the windows. When the police run a tag on a car with blacked out windows and find it to be a rental they become very suspicious.

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Carroll Billups from Croissant Park7h ago

Hello, Re: the return of the laptops and i-pads by the Hollywood police that were stolen on SW 16th Street and recovered at the scene of a Miami burglary an hour later. First, it is amazing you got them back so fast. But how did the police know those were your items? Did you have serial numbers to provide the police when they took the report at your house? Thanks

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LEAD41F

Crime Update8 Jun

Steven Cook from Croissant Park

0.08 miles
#13063931 BURGLARY RESIDENCE
6XX SW 16TH ST
Jun 06, 2013 at 9:14 am

Data provided by Fort Lauderdale Police Department

0.16 miles
#13064070 BURGLARY RESIDENCE
4XX SW 17TH ST
Jun ... View more

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK REPLY 

Gerry Hughan joined Croissant Park7 Jun

SW 16th St

WELCOMED! 2 REPLY

You and Steven welcomed Gerry

3 new neighbors joined Croissant Park6 Jun

WELCOMED ALL VIEW DETAILS

What was going on?2 Jun

Jo Bowker from Croissant Park

What was happening on SW 8th Avenue last night (Saturday)? Lots of police cars with flashing lights and a helicopter that kept flying around and around..

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK REPLY 9 

Tony Puentes from Croissant Park2 Jun

I saw and heard, too. I just checked the doors and other "securities". :)

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Tanya Anglin from Croissant Park2 Jun

Helicopters were freaking me out :-(

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Fran Hunt from Croissant Park2 Jun

I was just going to ask if anyone had any info on the helicopter flying around last night. SW 8th Ave and ?? street?

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Jane Pimentel from Croissant Park2 Jun

what time was this? didn't hear a thing....

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Tanya Anglin from Croissant Park2 Jun

I think it started just after midnight and carried on till about 4am

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Alan & Tami McClung from Croissant Park2 Jun

Cops said 2 bad guy's with guns, it was west of 9th ave.

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Hadrian Roesch from Croissant Park2 Jun

I had also heard of the noise from the helicopter from midnight until four also. Around 3 am I contacted Fort Lauderdale PD as I couldn't sleep through the noise. The dispatcher relayed that it was a Fort Lauderdale chopper and they were searching for someone.

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Jane thanked Hadrian

Bob Meagher from Croissant Park3 Jun

Any updates? Like... did they catch them?

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Alan & Tami McClung from Croissant Park6 Jun

Heard 3 in custody. That's all I can say :) :)

ThankRemove

Cathie and Fran thanked Alan & Tami

LEAD6

Caught the thief6 Jun

Virginia Dill Russell from Croissant Park

FLPD had the suspect of the burglary this morning on 16th Street in custody. Thank you to all the officers and german shepherd who got this guy off the street

Shared with Croissant Park only in General

THANK 6 REPLY 2 

Steven, Beth, Robin and 3 others thanked Virginia Dill

Kimberly Bishop O'Steen from Croissant Park6 Jun

That is so awesome!

Is it too early to tell if he's been responsible for any other burglaries?

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Fritz & Rhonda Kramer from Croissant Park6 Jun

yea! does anyone know which home was burglarized in the 1400 block of 6 Ave?

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LEAD41F

Crime Update6 Jun

Steven Cook from Croissant Park

0.33 miles
#13063224 LARCENY OTHER
4XX SW 20TH ST
Jun 04, 2013 at 4:22 pm

Data provided by Fort Lauderdale Police Department

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK REPLY 

LEAD41F

Crime Update6 Jun

Steven Cook from Croissant Park

0.25 miles
#13063121 BURGLARY RESIDENCE
14XX SW 6TH AVE
Jun 04, 2013 at 12:11 pm

Data provided by Fort Lauderdale Police Department

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK REPLY