Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 7-24-18

Local
Tampa Police Join ‘Neighbors’ To Provide Real-Time, Crime And Safety Information
The Tampa Police Depart- ment has begun using the Neighbors app to work di- rectly with Tampa commu- nity members to keep their neighborhoods safe and pro- vide real-time local crime and safety information.
TPD detectives have al- ready successfully used the Neighbors app to work with local residents to identify a suspect and make an arrest in a "porch pirate" incident.
The Neighbors network already has thousands of users locally and millions of users nationwide, and has been instrumental in catch- ing package thieves, stopping burglaries, and keeping neighborhoods safe.
Video has become an integral tool for law enforce- ment to prevent and solve crime in recent years. The Neighbors network takes the tool to the next level by making it easier for residents to share crime and safety-related information and videos with each other. If a user chooses to, they can also easily share video with law enforcement as well.
In a recent case, Tampa residents used the app to post videos of a suspected serial "porch pirate." The crimes were reported to Tampa Police. Detectives sought permission from resi- dents to view and utilize the video. Ultimately the sharing of the video via the Neighbors app - first shared
CHIEF BRIAN DUGAN Tampa Police
between residents, and then shared with police - resulted in grand theft charges.
Chief Brian Dugan,
Tampa Police Department said, “This is a classic exam- ple of law enforcement work- ing closely with the public and with a business to make the city safer.
“The Neighbors app makes it easier for residents to look out for one another in their own communities and makes it easier for law en- forcement to quickly identify and apprehend criminals.”
Residents can download the free Neighbors app on iOS/Android. They can join their neighborhood network and use the app to: monitor neighborhood activity, share crime and safety-re- lated videos, photos and texts; and receive real-time safety alerts from your neigh- bors, local law enforcement and the Ring team. Jamie Siminoff, Chief In- ventor and Founder of Ring
said, “We're excited to have the Tampa Police Depart- ment join Neighbors to keep their community up-to- date on local crime and safety information.
“Over the past few years we have learned that, when neighbors, the Ring team and law enforcement all work to- gether, we can create safer communities.
“Neighbors is meant to fa- cilitate real-time communica- tion between these groups, while maintaining neighbor privacy first and foremost.”
How It Works
Download the Neighbors app on iOS/Android. Opt-in to join your neighbor- hood. Customize the geo- graphic area you want to receive notifications for (users must verify where they are located and cannot par- ticipate in other neighborhoods).
Receive real-time alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team that inform of crime and safety alerts as they happen.
View local crime and safety posts via a live feed or interactive map. Share text updates, photos and videos taken on any device, includ- ing Ring's home security de- vices.
For more information on the Neighbors network and TPD's use of the network go tohttps://www.tampagov.ne t/police/neighbors-app-part- nership.
Man Critical After Collision With Fire Truck
I-4 & Forbes Road
A 26-year-old Orlando man was listed in critical con- dition after colliding with a fire truck. The accident took place shortly after 7 a.m., Sat- urday.
The accident took place on Interstate 4 just east of Branch Forbes Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jaquin Ar- turo Wilson was driving his 2016 Toyota Corolla west- bound on I-4, just east of Branch Forbes Road behind a fire truck driven by Clayton Eugene Horne, 41, of Plant City.
The fire engine, owned by Hillsborough County Fire
Rescue, was en route to an ac- cident in the median of I-4.
As the fire truck stopped at the accident, partially on the roadway, Wilson failed to see that it had stopped and collided with the rear of the vehicle.
An additional emergency unit responded to the scene.
Wilson was extricated and treated at the scene be- fore being airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. He was listed in critical condition.
None of the firemen were injured as a result of the acci- dent. The investigation is continuing.
FYI
Financial Workshop On Technology
The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, TD Bank and the En- trepreneur’s Collaborative Center is hosting a financial Workshop on Technology. It’s entitled, “Managing Financial Risk in the World of Technology.” Three professionals in the field will be pre- senters.
The Workshop will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018, 10 a. m. – 12:30 p. m. at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, 2101 E. Palm Ave. (Ybor City).
There is still time to register. Go to www.TampaBlackHer- itage.org/semiars, or contact Bill Trotman at (813) 250-3131.
Enhance The Chance To School Event
Enhance the Chance, a non-profit organization that is a support group for families dealing with Sickle Cell Anemia, his hosting a Back To School Bash.
The event will be held Saturday, August 4th, 1-5 p. m., at Mac- Farlane Park. There will be live entertainment, free food and drinks.
The first 200 kids will get free book bags and school supplies.
Latalya Daniels is CEO and Founder of Enhance The Chance Nonprofit Organization.
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