Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 12-22-15 Edition

Features
Airport Police
Gun Owners Urged To Prevent Thefts During The Holidays
Department Names
New Deputy Chief
During the holidays, police encourage residents to be vig- ilante about shopping burgla- ries. This year, the Tampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) are urging gun owners to take steps to prevent having their weapons fall into the wrong hands.
Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said, “We’re doing everything we can to get ille- gal firearms off the street. But, residents can take steps to help us keep our city safe.”
Ms. Regina Lombardo, ATF Special Agent in Charge said, “We aks that our com- munity work together with ATF and TPD to make certain that firearms are secured properly and out of the hands of teenagers and those who want to commit violent crimes using a gun.”
Oftentimes, guns are taken during burglaries of homes, cars, and businesses. So far this year, 135 guns have been reported stolen from homes or businesses. Additionally, 105 guns have been taken from vehicles.
Law Enforcement is en- couraging residents to safely store their guns. And, since
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
After an exhaustive search, the Tampa International Air- port has filled the position of Deputy Chief. Ralph An- thony was sworn into office on Monday, December 21st.
Anthony graduated from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda. Following grad- uation, in 1984, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in the Army and as a U. S. Air Force Reserve member for a combined 25 years.
During his military tenure, Anthony was a Squad Leader in “Operation Iraqi Freedom, while deployed in Northern Iraq. He retired at the rank of Master Sergeant in 2009.
In 1992, Anthony gained experience as a police officer by becoming a member of the Naples Police Department. He also served as a Reserve Offi- cer with the U. S. Air Force.
Anthony served in a variety of positions as he rose through the ranks of the department, including working with the K9 Unit, in patrol, and as a Com- munity Service Officer.
He was promoted to Ser- geant in 2007, and Lieutenant
RALPH ANTHONY New Deputy Chief, TIA
three years later. Some of his duties paralleled those of a Captain at the Tampa Interna- tional Airport. They included being responsible for all law enforcement during his shift and he reported directly to the Operations Captain.
Anthony attended Edison State College, where he earned his B. A. Degree in Public Safety Administration. He continued his education at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he was awarded his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
CHIEF ERIC WARD Tampa Police Chief
more than 100 guns have been stolen from cars, police are urging gun owners not to leave them in their cars, espe- cially in plain sight or in an obvious place.
Police also warn gun own- ersnottoleaveaguninacar when the car is going to be valet parked.
Both the Tampa Police De- partment and ATF are asking gun owners to keep a record of the weapon’s serial number in a safe place in the event that the gun is lost or stolen.
The City of Tampa has ex- perienced an increase of 32%
REGINA LOMBARDO ATF Special Agent in Charge
in stolen guns this year. That translates into 375 guns stolen between January and Novem- ber. During the same period, police have recovered 84 firearms, which is a 27% in- crease.
In addition to the 520 guns collected in June during a gun buyback, the Tampa Police Department has been success- ful in removing more than 1,000 illegal guns off the streets.
Police said no area of the city is immune to burglaries or the theft of guns.
Restaurant Embraces Cajun Cuisine
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Anyone who’s ever visited New Orleans (Nawlins only if you’re a true Cajun), always leaves with the flavor of their Cajun dishes and other spe- cialties.
On October 11, 2015, Yvonne Sheppard and her son, Alfred, brought that fla- vor to the Progress Village community when they opened Alfred’s New Orleans Café.
Ms. Sheppard said she de- veloped her talent for cooking Cajun food from her husband, whose family is from New Or- leans.
“Most of my recipes were handed down through genera- tions, and will definitely make you feel you’re in New Or- leans. My specialty is my gumbo.
“This is my first experience operating a restaurant, and at first I wanted a New Orleans style jazz spot. When I wasn’t drawing that much interest in that project, I decided to turn it into a café, and now we have food and music.”
Ms. Sheppard’s son, Al- fred (the Alfred in the name
YVONNE SHEPPARD
of the café) is a musician and loves entertaining the cus- tomers.
“My son is my inspiration. I do all the cooking, and it’s all original New Orleans style with that special Cajun flavor.
“I haven’t expanded into all of the New Orleans dishes yet, but I’m working on it.”
Alfred’s Café is in the Progress Village community, and Ms. Sheppard said a lot of people don’t know they’re in the plaza.
“When I tell people where we are, first they think I’m
Alfred entertains cus- tomers at the piano.
saying Fowler instead of Flower. The plaza is on the corner of 78th Street and Flower.
“I’m happy and proud to be a part of this community, be- cause I want this to be a com- munity restaurant.”
The Café is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon to 8 p.m. , sometimes later on the weekends.
Ms. Sheppard and Al- fred want everyone to come by and try out the great food and entertainment, no matter where you live.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015