October 2016 CPCA Neighborhood Meeting

October 2016 CPCA Neighborhood Meeting

Hi Neighbors,

We kicked off our annual Pie in October meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, then everyone grabbed a plate to sample all the scrumptious pies: several apple pies, a pumpkin pie, a mixed berry, and a peanut butter and chocolate chip pie (!).  Every single one was yummy.  

Our FLPD Neighborhood Action Team with Officers Fernandez, Rodriguez, Pekrol and Cuevas reported that we had 4 burglaries, all at night.  One was a business, one was a salon in a home, one bike stolen, and one where a neighbor recognized the burglar.  No one was hurt.  If anyone had been on the premises at the time or had been confronted by the intruder it would then have become a robbery instead of a burglary. The definition of robbery is “theft with force”. I make note of that because all of these burglaries were at night when people are usually at home.

There were 2 auto burglaries. Ofc. Cuevas reminded us that these kind of thefts are avoidable if you always lock your car and not leave purses, electronics, etc in plain sight. There were also 2 auto thefts.

When asked about the drug problem in our neighborhood Ofc. Fernandez reported that there is evidence of “elephant tranquilizers” but heroin is the most prevalent of all drugs now; Flakka seems to have taken a backseat to heroin.  All of this activity seems to centralize around SR 84.

One Neighbor asked what happens to violators who park on sidewalks: the answer is to “call it in” to the non-emergency number (954) 828-5700.  Another neighbor asked what the laws are regarding parking on the swale: the swale is City property but it is an ongoing issue when people park on “your” swale.  Call Code Enforcement and report it at (954) 828-5207. You can do this without giving your name as long as it is on City property.  By the way, the City has instructed FLPD not to write parking tickets about parking on swales.  Ofc. Rodriguez says he will look into this issue and report back to us at the next meeting.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #31 (which our guys belong to) is holding a fundraiser called COPS for KIDS, at La Bamba Mexican Restaurant in the Harbor Shops (near Publix) on Cordova Rd. on November 10th at 6:30 pm.  $30 for 2 with preregistration or $40 for 2 at the door.  Call to RSVP at (954)828-6600.  This is a great cause, y’all.  It goes to help low income kids who could use a break.  You can also send a contribution to FOP, 735 NE 3rd AVE Ft. Lauderdale, 33304.  Our Cops are the greatest, let’s support their favorite cause.

A neighbor has mentioned that 4th Avenue is looking very shabby with trash and overgrown grass on the swales.  As mentioned above, these kind of issues can be reported anonymously to Code Enforcement at (954) 828-5207.  It has been suggested that we get a group of volunteers  to clean up our public roads.  Perhaps the school kids that need credit for volunteering can help us with that project.  If you know of any kids who need credit for community service please let us know on nextdoor.com.  We would be happy to put them to work.

Our Croissant Park neighbor, Jim Miller, has asked CPCA to consider whether we, the Association, would state that we don’t object to an exemption from the City’s registration ordinance for vacation rentals that are within a primary residence and the owners are directly supervising the guests.  These rentals would still be subject to the mandated Sales and Use Tax. CPCA would need to announce this matter for discussion to the Association members and schedule a vote at a meeting.  

The Holiday Lighting Contest: best decorated house wins $50!!  The winner  will be announced at our January meeting.

Steve Cook has been a long-time proponent of the bike lane on 4th Avenue.  Tonight he reported that there will have to be a re-do on a portion of the road to make it a proper bike lane.

New oak trees have been planted as promised by the developer on 15th Street at 6th Avenue.

We will be putting together the  2017 CPCA newsletter.  Feel free to submit an article, a recipe, tell us something about Croissant Park or buy an ad.  Send it to: fritzandrhonda@yahoo.com

Nicohle Kallio won the 50/50 raffle and gave her winnings back to the Association.  Thanks Nicohle!

Minutes by Virginia-Secretary

pics by Rhonda

September 2016 CPCA Neighborhood Meeting

Neighborhood Meeting-September 2016

Happy Fall Everyone!

The September meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:10pm.

Our FLPD Neighborhood Action Team, Officers Fernandez, Cuevas and Rodrigues presented us with the August-September crime statistics for Croissant Park.  There were 4 residential burglaries and 9 auto burglaries.  August and September are notoriously peak crime months but the Team told us that we had exceptionally low crime in our neighborhood compared to all areas of the City for this time of year. Most residential burglars gain access through louvered bathroom windows, probably because those windows are often left open to allow air circulation after showers.  A word of caution about when a stranger knocks at your door: you do not have to open the door if you don’t recognize the person.  Try to find out who it is through a window or ask who it is before opening the door.  Our best defenses for our homes are burglar alarms, cameras, and large safes for valuables.  If you have a camera that takes pictures of someone you suspect doing something illegal, always call the police first before posting it on Nextdoor.  They don’t like seeing the photo evidence on Nextdoor before they have been notified because it compromises their ability to catch the bad guys. As we are often reminded, don’t leave valuables in sight in your car, and always lock the doors.  The cemetery is a favorite  area for thieves.

FLPD has invited us to a meeting at their sub station that will feature speakers about crime prevention, detectives and a marine unit. That will be at 7pm on Monday, October 10th at 1845 Cordova Road, Suite 207.  The sub station is located above Tropical Smoothies and  Coco Restaurant in the Harbor Shops, in the shopping area where Publix and Total Wine are located.

Our next speaker was Community Affairs Officer Bob LaMendola from the Florida Department of Health in Broward County.  There are 113 confirmed cases of the Zika virus from the Aedes aegypti mosquito in Broward County.  Those at the most risk are babies and pregnant women.  These mosquitos have been in this area for one and a half years. They live close to the ground in dark places near our houses. They breed in standing water like bird baths, any containers that hold rain or sprinkler water, pet dishes.  If you have these in your yard you can prevent the mosquito from laying eggs if you change the water every couple of days, or just empty a container that catches rainwater.  Moving water, as in a fountain is not attractive to the mosquito to lay eggs.  We have been aerially  and ground sprayed recently with VectoBac WDG, a larvicide that is reportedly used in a low enough concentration not to harm human or animals.  We are urged to Drain and Cover:  that means to drain any sitting water and to cover our exposed skin with clothing and/or DEET repellent (Cutter, Off!), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or Skin-so-Soft, for example.  Learn more at www.2.epa.gov/insect-repellents. Another site you might want to visit is www.cdc.gov/geatures/StopMosquitoes. 

We will announce our annual Holiday Lighting contest again this year on nextdoor.com and you can submit your vote for the best holiday lighting as we get closer to the holidays. The winner will receive a $50 cash prize.

We need volunteers to put out signs to announce the CPCA meetings we have 6 times a year.  Rhonda will give you a sign or two to put on a swale in Croissant Park, then she will email you a few days before a meeting to put them out to remind your neighbors of the upcoming meeting. It couldn’t get easier and its a huge help to get the word out.  Contact Rhonda at (954)294-3360 or at FritzandRhonda@yahoo.com.

Halloween is just around the corner and we will be participating at the Community Center Halloween Party as usual.  If you want to volunteer to help sell hot dogs and drinks, or to organize the adorable kiddies in costume for games, let us know.  It’s a hoot and a great way to spend an autumn afternoon outside.

We are putting together our 2017 newsletter and we will  add an “In Memoriam” column, so if you know of a CP neighbor who has passed away that you would like to commemorate, please submit that information. If you would like to submit any articles, recipes, buy an ad, tell us something about the history of Croissant Park, let us know and if we have room we will try to publish it. Send articles to FritzandRhonda@yahoo.com.

Our CPCA Board elections will be held at the October 25th Neighborhood meeting.  Our present Board members will stay on: Pat Rathburn- President, Michelle DiMaria-V.President, Virginia Dill Russell-Secretary, Joe Russell-Treasurer, Directors-Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Beth Falkenhagen, Jodi Perraud, Nicohle Kallio.  We are seeking additional nominations, so step up at the next meeting. 

Thursday, October 6th there will be a meeting to discuss the new property being developed on 4th Ave and 12th Court.  The issue is about where to provide parking.  We have made it clear to the City how we feel about parking and they don’t seem to hear us.  If you are concerned please feel free to attend this meeting.The location to be announced.

Jack Timmins, our local Realtor was kind enough to bring some gigantic Swiss Lindt chocolate bars as our raffle prizes.  Charlie, Pat and Heather are the lucky winners and they are all in sugar comas today. 

Our next CPCA Neighborhood meeting will be on Tuesday, October 25th.  Hope to see you there…

Virginia-Sec’y
pics by Rhonda

Croissant Park Civic Association Neighborhood Meeting

Join us Tuesday, September 27th at 7 pm at the Community Center.  Our speaker from the Health Department will talk about the latest developments on the Zika mosquito issues, with a Q and A to follow.

CPCA 2017 Elections

Hear ye, Hear ye! Croissant Park Board Elections- If you would like to do something for your neighborhood, consider joining the Board of the Croissant Park Civic Association.  For more information, talk to any Board member, whose names are:  Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Jodi Perraud, Nicohle Kallio, Beth Falkenhagen, Rhonda Kramer, Virginia and Joe Russell.  Then attend the September 27  Membership Meeting.  

“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal” - Homestead Fraud

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“Report Homestead Exemption Fraud”

Dear Lori:

I’m a President of my Homeowners Association and concerned about homeowners who are fraudulently claiming Homestead Exemption on second homes and investment properties.  I live locally and want to help.  How can I report these abuses and help our community collect the much needed funds and still remain anonymous?

P.I., Fort Lauderdale, FL (via email)

Property owners who file false applications to obtain a Homestead Exemption are breaking the law and causing you to pay more in property taxes each year.  Why?  Because your various taxing authorities, such as the County, City and School Board, must divide the tax burden among all property owners within their jurisdictions in order to provide services such as police, fire, and schools.  If someone lies to lower his or her taxes, someone else must pay more to make up the difference.

In order for property owners to be eligible for Homestead Exemption, their Florida property must be their permanent residence, the property cannot be rented out.  Neither the owners or their spouses may receive residency based benefits on any other property.

Our office aggressively seeks to stop Homestead fraud and catch homeowners in Broward who are fraudulently claiming a Homestead Exemption on their properties. We work with local governments, homeowner and civic associations to help identify exemption fraud. We also rely on anonymous phone and mail tips about potential Homestead fraud.

If you know of anyone claiming Homestead Exemption on a property which is not their primary residence, we urge you to contact our Department of Professional Standards and Compliance at 954.357.6900 or http://www.bcpa.net/fraudform.asp and we’ll check it out.  You are free to provide your contact information or remain completely anonymous when reporting potentially fraudulent activity to our office. To report fraud anonymously, please use our online reporting form and simply leave your name and contact information blank.

Pursuant to Sections 193.155 (9) and 196.161 of the Florida Statutes, property owners who fraudulently obtain a Homestead Exemption can be back taxed for as many as ten years, plus be required to pay substantial penalty and annual interest (50% of the unpaid taxes for each year and pay interest at a rate of 15% per year). 

Sincerely,

Lori Parrish, CFA

If you have a question for Lori, please email her at lori@bcpa.net or write to her at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, and Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.  (09/16)

Robert L. Wolfe, Jr. CFE
Community Outreach Specialist II
954.357.6871 – office
954.357.8474 – fax
954.445.5732 – cell

rwolfe@bcpa.net

Follow our office at:  http://www.facebook.com/propertyappraiser and http://twitter.com/loriparrish