Crime in Gulfport Down 25% in 2010

The Gulfport Police Department recently released its 2010 Annual Report and is proud to highlight, among other details, a 25 percent overall reduction in crime. The report also outlines various new programs and initiatives for the coming year and points to an overall positive direction for the community as a whole.

In addition to the 25 percent overall reduction in crime compared to 2009, burglary and auto theft were reduced by 38% and 58% respectively. Violent crime was also reduced 27% and property crime 25% over 2009. A special enforcement team conducted investigations in the 49th Street “redevelopment” area, making dozens of arrests, and adjusted its policy to allow officers to pursue stolen vehicles.

An emphasis on communication - within the department and with the public - was a priority for the department in 2010 and it took significant measures toward improvements. It launched a Facebook page to make it easier for the social networking public to keep up on events and announcements, and Gulfport Police Chief Robert Vincent created Chief Vincent’s Blog to facilitate immediate and accurate interaction between the department and residents.

“I really wanted to increase the amount of communication within the department and between the department and the town,” Chief Vincent said this week. “We also signed up with Media Alert to put out information directly and immediately to the public.”

Media Alert serves as a news conduit between local media and public information officers from many different organizations within ten counties of west central Florida. It delivers news to all registered media outlets simultaneously, within one minute of release, and is free of any advertising or outside influence.

A particular area of concern for the department has been the 49th St. corridor, the crime in that area and the health of its business community. Gulfport City Manager James O’Reilly explained that as much as crime is a concern, so is communication and good will between the police department, business owners and residents.

“We’d like to develop where we have an officer more in tune with issues related to that area,” Mr. O’Reilly said. “To establish relationships with the business owners and residents is very important. We would also like to attract new business to that area.”

Thanks to funding from the Department of Justice, a new community resource officer will focus on identifying businesses and partners in the 49th St. area to better facilitate problem resolution, which is also a priority concern for Chief Vincent.

Simply stated, problem resolution is, in the eyes of the public, whether or not the police were able to solve the problem they were called upon to address.

“That is a major goal for us,” the chief said. “We are refocused on problem resolution and we will continue to work on our redirection on that front.”

Regarding Gulfport traffic, an intersection safety program was initiated last year, effective this month, which includes the installation of cameras and monitoring of patterns and infractions at three major intersections.

“It’s actually going to be a pretty affordable thing,” Chief Vincent stated, explaining that an outside company installs the cameras, the police monitor activity and the company is paid through fines.

In other significant improvements initiated last year, an additional resource officer was added to Boca Ciega High School to address increasing numbers of disorderly youth, and a patrol officer was added to the Pinellas County Prescription Drug Task Force to address the increasing problem in Gulfport and surrounding communities.

Regarding news with Gulfport Police Department personnel in 2010, Chief Vincent took the “interim” title away from his name last year following the retirement of longtime Gulfport Chief G. Curt Willocks.

Officer Robert McLaughlin was selected as Gulfport Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2010. In addition to his exemplary work ethic Officer McLaughlin was credited for the development and implementation of a complete overhaul of the dangerous traffic situation at Boca Ciega High School, making it safer for all who use the area on a daily basis. He also played a major role in the 58% reduction in auto theft by leading a committee of officers in a juvenile probation program.

The promotion of Officer Thomas Woodman to sergeant in January filled a vacancy created by the retirement of Sergeant Terry Taylor, who at the time of his retirement was the longest serving member of the Gulfport Police Department with nearly 25 years of service. He was recognized by the Gulfport City Council and Chief Vincent at a ceremony on January 4.

Sergeant Woodman has served with the department since 2006 and is a member of the Marine Unit and Special Enforcement Team. He served with the United States Army and graduated Cum Laude from the University of South Florida with a B.A. degree in criminology.

Goals that the department has set for 2011 include reduction of crime and fear of crime in the 49th St. redevelopment area, increasing involvement by Gulfport police officers in local organizations outside the department and the reduction in serious accidents at signal-controlled intersections.