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FLPD Update

FLPD Chief of Police Rick Maglione

reetings neighbors, I hope this month's newsletter finds everyone well. I first
need to apologize for an error I made in my last submission when I stated
Gthat 2018 was predicted to be the second lowest crime rate for the City of
Fort Lauderdale since we began keeping those records back in the 1970s. The official
numbers came in and it turns out 2018 was the lowest!
Again, I would like to credit the hardworking women and men of your police
department, the new strategies, technologies and partnerships with the private sector to
include RING, LeadsOnline and SaferWatch, and well as the incredible partnerships
we maintain with our neighbors. Together we achieved great success but this does not
mean we are going to take our foot off the gas pedal. 2019 has presented some
unique challenges so far but we are hopeful we will have another great year.

This article will be dedicated to our new strategy that I have informally named
"Operation Think Small." We spend a large share of our time and resources preventing
and solving the major crimes such as homicide, robbery and burglary and all too often
Rick Maglione the less serious crime of larceny does not receive the attention it deserves. Larceny
Chief of Police made up nearly one half of our total crime rate, which includes retail theft (shoplifting),
so we came up with a plan to get more proactive. We started by identifying the top 5
locations where the most retail thefts were reported.
We are sending our Crime Prevention Unit to those locations to conduct surveys and
make recommendations geared toward prevention and making these locations less
attractive targets for thieves. We will then work with the owners or managers to
implement these recommendations. These recommendations may include improved
lighting, increased security, overt signage, changes in policies related to shoplifting and
automatic license plate readers at all entrances. If they need some convincing, we are
requesting they figure what they are losing in inventory and are initiating a trial period
during which we will provide these recommendations at no cost. At the end of the trial
period, we will determine if the reduction in lost inventory lost is worth their investment
in the recommendations we made.

Please keep in mind that the locations with the highest reported incidents of retail theft
are typically the ones with the most successful loss prevention strategies. The shoplifters
that get away with their crimes never result in reported thefts. The effects are however,
felt at the end of the month when the inventory process reveals the loss. Once a
location is no longer on the top 5 list, a new business will be identified and the process
will repeat.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns or
suggestions. HB
Yours in service,
Chief Rick Maglione

12 HARBOR BEACH Magazine | www.harborbeach.org