Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 10-7-16 Online Edition

Feature
$1,875,000 Grant Allows Tampa Police To Hire New Officers
BOB BUCKHORN Tampa Mayor
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this week, the City of Tampa and Tampa Police won a grant from the U. S. Depart- ment of Justice. The $1,875,000 grant will be uti- lized to hire 15 community policing officers. It will be in effect for the next three years.
The grant is a local match grant under the federal Office of Community-Oriented Polic- ing Services (COPS). As a con- dition of the grant, the City will be required to retain officers hired under the grant for at least 4 years.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn
said, “It’s always great when we get to add officers to our world class police force, so to say we’re just excited about this award is an understate- ment. Also, the fact that we get to use these new hires to focus on our community policing ef- forts is just an added bonus.
“We remain committed to looking for ways we can invest in community safety and fos- ter relationships that are built on mutual trust and respect,” Mayor Buckhorn said.
Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said, “At the Tampa Po- lice Department, we are com- mitted to community policing because we know it is effective in preventing crime.
“This grant will also help us put more officers on the street
ERIC WARD Tampa Police Chief
as we continue to build rela- tionships with community members and work together to keep the City safe,” Chief Ward said.
Coffee With A Cop Day
The announcement of the grant focusing on community relations compliments a new concept referred to as “Coffee With A Cop Day.”
“Coffee With A Cop Day” is a national initiative supported by the United States Depart- ment of Justice, Office of Com- munity Oriented Policing Services. The concept also compliments the department’s ongoing “Community Conver- sations.”
On Friday, October 7th, sev- eral Tampa Police Officers will participate in “Coffee With A Cop Day.” The event will give residents an opportunity to sit down with a Tampa Police of- ficer and have a conversation over a cup of coffee.
Several area restaurants will participate in the event. They are as follows:
Ginger Bread Coffee, 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd., #112, from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m.
The Open Café, 3322 North 34th Street, from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
McDonald’s Restaurants from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., at 1520 W. Kennedy Blvd., 1908 E. Hillsborough Avenue, 3411 E. Busch Blvd., and 6505 S. Dale Mabry Highway.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A