Woman stold over $26,000 from elderly couple

Some people work all their lives and save every penny to have a few spending bucks after retirement. Whether they worked all their lives or not, the money saved is theirs. Now, imagine that someone you hire to help you after you have aged and can no longer help yourself, steals your money by writing checks to themselves and forging your signature.

That's what happened to Walter and Rita Bernstein, a Parkland couple. Walter Bernstein took care of the finances and when he lost his vision, the couple hired Rosemary Hawthorne, 59. They hired Hawthorne as a personal bookkeeper to write checks. According to Detective John Murray, between the time of June 8, 2006 and August 10, 2007, Hawthorne forged 42 checks that totaled $26,169.08.

Hawthorne has been charged with exploitation of the elderly and is held on a $500,000bond.

For more information on the story, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-1207elderlyrob,0,5604269.story

CBS freelancer....turned sexual predator

Has no one heard of the reality show, 'To Catch a Predator,'? I barely watch television, and when i do, i always, for some reason, come across this show. Anyways, for a few years now, it seems that under cover investigations on sexual predators have become pretty popular. Maybe it was the show, or maybe there has just been a spike in sexual interest in minors, who knows? What i do know is that people keep falling into these traps knowing that the issue of sex with minor has become so popular.

A CBS freelancer from New Jersey pleaded guilty after allegedly arranging a meeting with an 11-year old girl. Now tell me, what kind of abuse is this? On Sept. 29, Daniel Barron, 56, was arrested for trying to meet this young girl and her father, only to find out, all he was meeting were law enforcement officers.

Barron was in South Florida covering the Miami Dolfins and arranged via-internet to meet at 1300 block of Southeast 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale.

His sentencing is scheduled for March 3 and may face between 10 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

For more information, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-1207minorsex,0,2527478.story

Therapist charged with Medicaid fraud

It doesn't surprise me that people continue to try and lie to make an extra few bucks. I also realize that this may be a great example on why Medicaid and health insurance companies have been out ruling therapy services, like, psychological and rehabitational services out of their coverage.

Today, Jennifer Baxt, 34, is being held in a Broward County Jail with charges of grand theft, after allegedly falsifying more than $6,000 of claims to Medicaid.

Baxt is an employee at the South Florida Family Centers Inc. According to the Sun-Sentinel, Baxt was a licensed therapist and mental health counselor.

Investigators from The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit found that Baxt had made 71 appointments and only showed to seven sessions. Baxt can face up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

For more information, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-1206medicaidfraud,0,3376088.story

More officers loose their life while on duty

It amazes me to find out exactly how many law enforcement deputies have passed away in the past 5 months. Whether it's a gun shot wound, or accident, there have just been too many lives lost.

On Nov. 28, Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies, Donta J. Manuel and Jonathan Wallace were struck by Greg Fernandez, another Palm Beach County sheriff's vehicle. The two were in the path of the vehicle after trying to remove the tire deflation device, placed on the road while Fernandez was pursuing a stolen car.

The bodies of the two police officers were laid to rest on Wednesday Dec. 5, after a funeral ceremony attended by 5,000 people.

For more information, go to, www.pbpost.com

Murder-Suicide spike!

Incredibly, yet another murder-suicide, however, a comment made by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Lt. Ed Worthington to News Channel 5 makes me cringe. He told the news station that he believes police witnessed a murder-suicide. What are they doing? I thought that law enforcement should not witness a murder-suicide and do something before something does happen. It started at Riviera Beach and ended in Bee Line Highway, i don't know how long police were following the vehicle, but if they witnessed a flash that came from a gun and then another a few moments later, i think they should have been a little smarter.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, neighbors say they saw Isaac Benjamin, 27, chasing Tonya Raines, 37 in the yard around midnight Dec. 6. Benjamin was seen forcing Raines into a white Ford Mustang. According to police, they followed the vehicle and saw two flashes that may have come from a gun.

The couple has had history of domestic violence. Raines had a no-contract court order against Benjamin in August.

The investigation continues. For more information, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-1206rivbchmurder,0,238446.story

Sean Taylor dies from gun shot wounds

On Nov. 26 Sean Taylor was shot in his home during a burglary. The next day, Taylor died. Since then, the alleged gunman who shot Taylor, and three others allegedly involved with the crime, have been indicted on first degree felony murder and armed burglary by a grand jury.

The gunman, identified as, Eric Rivera, 17, was in custody in Fort Myers and has been transported to Miami-Dade County.

The other alleged co-defendants have been identified as, Charles Wardlow, 18, Jason Mitchell, 19, and Venjah Hunte, 20. They remain under a suicide watch.

For more information on the story and more, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/other/sfl-flspnflrdp02sbdec05,0,4372866.story

Mother takes the life of infant daughter before turning gun on herself

Holidays are coming and one Plantation family is struck by murder-suicide. On Nov. 20, a mother shot and killed her infant daughter, then shoots herself in front of the girl's grandparents home.

According to Plantation Police, Kristen Lubus, 22, and her 13-month-old daughter, Jaidyn were found dead from gunshot wounds on the 300 block of Jacaranda Drive in Plantation. Police found a suicide note, however, have not released any details.

Detective Robert Rettig, Plantation Police spokesman said that Lubus appeared to have been depressed.

Autopsiies have confirmed the deaths. Family declined for comment.

A family now has no holidays to enjoy with Lubus and the infant. I am wondering what would of happened if Lubus would have asked for help. Not only asking for help, but why the infant? What did she do to her? I don't know whether i should feel sad for the mother or be angry with her for doing what she did. If anyone knows anyone who seems depressed, please get help. This can happen to anyone.

For more information on this story, go to http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-1121murdersuicide,0,4930595.story

Woman faces 60 years after scalding baby

These are the kinds of cases i just don't understand. Is civilization, as we know it, gone crazy? The stories with this magnitude of insanity should require an examination on the suspect and then be put through extensive psychological tests to see what was it that happened.

In Christmas of 2005, Valerie Kennedy, 32, held her 3-year-old son, Jaquez Mason, in a ub of sclading water. The toddler passed away a week later. Just last month, almost two years since the incident, Kennedy was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse. She has been sentenced to 60 years in prison. That is the maximum she can serve.

For more information, go to, http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/310532.html

FAU overdose unsolved

Just last year, an FAU student used lethal drugs, overdosed and died in a dorm room on campus. Even though no arrests have been made since the incident, FAU spoeswoman, Kristine McGrath told the Sun Sentinel,

The university is committed to a thorough investigation. Finding the person responsible for providing the lethal drugs to student Nicole Phillips, 18, and her friend, Richard Cardinale, 19, is complicated.

It's great to see that a continued investigation on the person responsible for selling the lethal drugs is on FAU police department agenda.

For more information on FAU police go to , http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpfaucrime1116pnnov16,0,1627250.story

White collar crimes get less time

When someone commits a white-collar crime i feel like treatment, when compared to those who committ violent or street crimes, face less punishment and fees. These are the people who have the capacity to pay to get themselves back into shape after facing their sentence and have less troubles when dealing with defending themselves in court. They have higher means. Nothing against having money to defend yourself, but when you commit a crime, no matter what social class you are, how much money you make, what your name symbolizes, everyone should be treated equally.
Today former Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne was sentenced to a year and a day. He pled guilty in September on one count of mail fraud and three counts of income tax evasion. Jenne accepted over $150,000 in improper payments from contractors and payments on a Mercedes from his former law firm.
Not only was he found guilty under these charges but he fined $3,000 plus $40 special assesment.
When serving over a year, the sentence may be reduced by up to 15 percent. So at the end, Jenne may only serve a total of 55 days. Isn't interesting how they sentenced him to a year and a day. Why couldn't they have sentenced him to 364 days?

Another BSO laid to rest

Michael Mazza, a man who was serving a life sentence in prison, killed BSO deputy, Paul Rein on Nov. 7.
Deputy Rein,76, a BSO veteran was transporting Mazza, 40, to court for an armed robbery trial. On the way there, Mazza shot and killed Rein and fled the seen in the transport vehicle.
Mazza was caught a few hours later in Hollywood just outside a Pawn Shop and was taken into custody.
On Tuesday, a memorial took place recognizing Rein's years of service and dedication to the BSO. Many family, friends, and co-workers attended the ceremony.

"For all of us, it's been a devastating year. But it doesn't deter us. It doesn't dampen our spirit. We still go out there every single day,"

Sheriff Al Lamberti said while reading Rein's eulogy.

For more information on the story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbfuneral1114xnbnov14,0,4552272.story

15 year old dies of overdose!

It amazes me to find out exactly how many teens over dose from illegal substances a year. The trend seems to be growing and it isn't getting any safer. Day after day, after hearing an over dose story, or watching television to see another celebrity heading to rehab, i wonder whatever happened to having a great time without the use of an illegal substance?

A Circuit City security guard in Miami faces murder charges for selling an ecstasy pill to a 15-year old girl that overdosed and died Nov. 2, at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

It was a Saturday night and Christopher Rodriguez, 22, met with four female teens at a Hialeah gas station. He sold them four ecstasy tablets for a total of $14. The 15-year-old teen took her ecstasy pill with orange juice as they drove to Miami Beach.

According to a police report, after about 20 minutes the teen began to act irrational. Instead of heading straight to the hospital, the teens headed to a Walgreens for milk. The teens forced milk into the victims throat. It didn't work.

Once the victim started to change colors, the teens finally decided to take her to a hospital. By the time they got there, the victims heart had stopped, but doctors revived her. She was brain dead. The victim died once doctors removed life support.

One pill is all it takes.

For more information on the story, go to http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/305176.html

Vehicle and home burglars arrested

According to police, they have arrested six people that may be connected to a string of vehicle and home burglaries in the Hollywood Lakes neighborhood.

This story comes after a few blogs i have written about many cities facing a spike in vehicle burglaries across Broward County.

Due to the arrests, police have been able to close out 17 cases on burglaries and attempted burglaries that have occurred within the last two months.

For more on the story, go to http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbburglaries1019nboct19,0,7493303.story

Pharmacy connection

Pharmacies, it seems, are becoming targets for robberies. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have all had incidents within the last couple of weeks where pharmacies have been assaulted.

According to police, the two men who have been arrested may be connected to several or all the pharmacy robberies.

The two men, Calix Green, 25, and Andre D. Holmes, 33, were arrested Wednesday on attempted robbery and loitering charges and released Thursday. The charges against them remain.

Since May of 2007, 14 pharmacies in Broward have been burglarized. On Oct. 8, the Coconut Creek Walgreen's was burglarized, and on Oct. 18, yesterday, two Boca pharmacies was burglarized.

Pharmacies seem to be a target for these burglars. For more information on the Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach robberies, go to,

Boca Robberies, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-1018cvsrob,0,7301594.story

Miami-Dade, Broward story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flprobberies1019nboct19,0,1223724.story

Murderer of student faces 29 years in prison

In 2004, a pharmacy student at Palm Beach Atlantic University was murdered. After three years, Joshua Reid, now 26, receives a 29-year sentence, and Melissa Ringer, 26, receives a 17-year sentence.

According to authorities, Reid and Ringer, then 19, were running from authorities after a convenience store robbery, and had a plan to kill Bin Zhao, 33. So how did they commit the crime?

Ringer was working as a prostitute and pulled Zhao, who was a regular, to a Boca town home where Reid struck Zhao with a pool stick and strangled him with a lamp chord. Both Reid and Ringer, wrapped the body and placed it in Zhao's trunk.

The couple was caught after trying to use Zhao's credit card in a Target.

For the complete story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpreid1019pnoct19,0,4242874.story

Every other day i get a new e-mail advising me of a new alert about an incident that happened at school, or see a breaking story on the news about students being victimized.

Drama teacher having sex with students

Former high school drama teacher Andrew Foster faces charges for having sex with two female students, both whom are under the age of 18. Foster is also accused of begging a former male student to tell a teen that he would pay her if she did not cooperate with the investigation.

One of the teens, who is believed to have sex with Foster testified that they were having sex regularly when she was 16 years-old. According to police, this teen, identified as D.N, became pregnant and got an abortion. Foster signed the consent.

Foster is charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child which is a first-degree felony and three new charges, all of which are, third-degree felonies.

Foster was arrested last month after leaving the county and quitting his job.

For more information the story, go to, http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/10/19/s1a_FOSTER_1019.html

Drug knowledge

Florida Atlantic University's counseling center on the Boca Raton campus is offering educational workshops that will help the campus community gain knowledge on drug and alcohol use.

It seems that every day we see another entertainer, athlete, or public official hit the news because of alcohol or drug related issues. Not only is this issue becoming a problem in the face of television, but it is becoming a bigger problem within our community.

On October 24th, the counseling center will offer the workshop," All arounders: drugs that spin you."

And then on November 28th, the center will offer, "Downers: drugs that pull you."

This should be a great opportunity to see what drugs can do to someone or their friends and family. For more information on the workshops, call 561-297-3540.

There are also support groups that can help those involved in drug and alcohol abuse.

http://www.na.org/ or http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/?Media=PlayFlash

For those who have family member or friend who uses drugs or alcohol, go to http://www.al-anonfamilygroups.org/meetings/meeting.html

FAU student accused of sexual assault

A student who has been accused of sexually assaulting two females students, was arrested but not on these accusations.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, Christian Finklea was accused of assaulting a female student, who is believed to be an acquaintance, at Florida Atlantic University. Police said they also received an accusation that Finklea had physically assaulted another female student at the University a few weeks prior.

Finklea was arrested on drug possession and possession of liquor by a minor. He was released out on bond, Sunday, Oct. 14. An investigation on the alleged accusations continues and Finklea may face future charges.

Florida Atlantic University police sent out campus-wide e-mails to advise everyone on the incidents, the following Tuesday, Oct. 16. The Palm Beach Post published a story on FLorida Atlantic University's campus police advisory to students a few days after the incidents were reported.

For more information on that story, http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/south/epaper/2007/10/18/1018FAURAPE.html

Forcible rape is down

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Crime in the Unites States in 2005, forcible rape is down by a little over one percent.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation took statistics from total agencies in the nation and then separated it by cities as well.

Total all agencies reported

• In 2004, there were 84,608 forcible rapes reported
• In 2005, there were 83,312 forcible rapes reported
• These numbers show a one and a half percent decrease

In total cities, they reported

• In 2004, there were 62,616 forcible rapes reported
• In 2005, there were 61,666 forcible rapes reported
• These numbers show a one and a half percent decrease

The cities that showed most forcible rapes reported were metropolitan cities, cities with population of 250,000 and over, cities with populations of 100,000 to 249,999, and suburban areas. For the complete chart, click on this link, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_12.html

The fact that forcible rape is down is great, however, it may be that the victims are not reporting the incidents. There is still plenty of work left, but at least the numbers show that awareness helps.

Murder rates in South Florida above average

Murders in South Florida rose by 28 percent from 2005 to 2006. The national average rose two percent.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), South Florida murders increased by 28 percent. In 2005, there were 883 murders reported. In 2006, there were 1,129 murders reported. Nationally the number rose only by two percent.

Lonn Lanza-Kaduce, a University of Florida criminology professor, told the Sun-Sentinel that the numbers show, "a sizable uptick in murders."

Even though the numbers are up, Palm Beach County, according to Lieutenant Mike Wallace, when comparing numbers from 2006 to 2007 in Palm Beach, it has actually decreased. That came after law enforcement placed more officers in areas where crime is an issue.

Other violent crimes, like, robberies increased, but forcible rape and aggravated assault decreased in both Florida and nation wide.

Knowing that crimes, overall are decreasing are great, however, murder increasing scares me as a South Florida resident.

For more information on this story, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flpcrimestats0925pnsep25,0,2044644.story

Guard shot

A security guard was shot this afternoon at a bank in city of Lauderhill. Police are investigating a suspect that may have been involved. This suspect was found dead in a nearby apartment.

The shooting took place this afternoon at the Bank Atlantic on State Road Seven and near Northwest 21 Street in city of Lauderhill.

Police chased the suspect, who appears to be in his 20s and was holding a handgun, into the Brampton Court apartment complex located on the 4300 block near Northwest 19 Street.

The security guard has been identified as a 51 year-old man and has suffered two gun shot wounds to his upper torso. Police say the guard is in serious condition at Broward General Medical Center.

Police are investigating whether the suspect they were chasing is the dead body they found in an apartment. A gun shot wound was found on the body and police report they did not shoot during the chase.

This comes after a few cases where law enforcement has suffered injuries and death.

For more information on the story, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-105bankshooting,0,6061945.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout

11 people arrested for Mortgage Fraud

According to police, 11 arrests have been made in a first round of suspects involved in mortgage fraud. The 11 arrests, include, brokers, title agents, borrowers and sellers.

What has been happening is that people used stolen identities, false mortgage documents and used fraudulent appraisals. These tactics were used to get loans that totaled two million dollars.

On the first round of arrests, a week ago, federal prosecutors charged 18 people with mortgage fraud that totaled more than $50 million dollars for real estate in South Florida.

For more information on the story, go to, http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/261515.html

Man Burglarizes 13 vehicles

Broward Sheriff's Office is looking for a man who is belived to have burglarized 13 vehicles in one neighborhood.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, police spokesman, Sergeant Frank Sousa, said that the man is believed to have burglarized the vehicles between midnight and 7 a.m., Thursday morning.

The suspect was described as a man between the ages of 25 and 30 years old, unshaven, carrying a backpack, wearing dark clothes and seen in the 2100 block of Northeast 27 Avenue around 7:20 a.m.

The vehicles burglaries seem to be popularizing. City of Plantation, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, and Parkland all seem to be having the same problem.

For more information on the story, go to: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbburglaries1005sboct05,0,6706866.story

Officer Reyka's Memorial

Officer Reyka's death took place at the Walgreens on Powerline. Finally, after a few weeks of searching for the memorial at the Walgreens, i came across it this weekend.

It is truly a site. People have left their shirts, caps, letters, pictures, flowers, prayers, and many American flags. What amazes me is that there still have been no arrests.

The reward is set at $267,000, it's been two months, and still no response.

Broward Sheriff's Office, Sergeant Chris Reyka was shot and killed at the Walgreens located on Powerline Road, just south of Atlantic Boulevard, while looking for stolen vehicles, on August 10, while on duty, early that morning. Since then, there has been few other incidents where police officers have been injured, wounded and killed.

In Sergeant Reyka's memory, there will be a street named Sgt. Chris Reyka Place will run in front of the city's safety building where he worked. The street runs along Dixie Highway to Cypress Road.

For more information and updates, click on the link for crime stoppers, or go to the Sun-Sentinel website and search Sergeant Chris Reyka.

Seminole Indians face problems

Along with casinos rising up in South Florida, the Seminole Indians drug abuse increases.

According to a drug therapist in a Boca Raton Treatment Center, the Seminole Indians are ignoring their drug abuse problem. Seminole women receive a dividends check from the state of Florida each month for $6,000 a child. These mothers are continuing to have kids to support their drug use, while the children are raised by other family members in the reservation.

Once the children get older, their drug use becomes a problem as well. According to this therapist, there is a high-rate of young Seminole adults who are caught by law enforcement and given two options, jail or treatment. To escape the route of facing jail time, the chiefs place these young adults, between the ages of 18 and 25 at drug treatment centers. Once they rehabilitate, they go back to the same routine. About 95 to 100 percent of them head back to treatment, again.

This problem is increasing as casinos keep rising on every other corner. The state has either not realized the issue, or has decided to look the other way. If the drug use continues and nothing is done about this, the Seminole population might face a population decrease in the years to come.

Vehicle burglary increase in Plantation

City of Plantation has had an increase in vehicle burglaries, since June of 2007,because of Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

A few days ago i wrote an entry on the city of Parkland and their increase in car burglaries. The main reason for the burglaries in Parkland were that the vehicles were left unlock. The city of Plantation sees an increase with a different reason, Global Positioning Systems.

Detective Robert Rettig told the Sun-Sentinel that there were 52 Global Positioning Systems reported stolen, since June, in Plantation. In Fort Lauderdale, detective Kathrine Collins said that there were 109 GPS systems stolen in the past six months.

The Plantation police department is asking for help on raising awareness to the public on the issue. The burlgars are committing the crime, mainly, during midnight hours and in hotel parking lots. According the Sun-Sentinel Plantation, Sunrise and Fort Lauderdale, reported that the Global Positioning Systems have taken over radios and portable compact discs.

Lock your vehicles and do not leave anything in the vehicle that may be visible to others so that we can help stop the increase of burglaries. Finally, police are suggesting to write down the serial number, located in the back of the Global Positioning System unit, so that if it is stolen they can return them, if found at pawnshops.

For the Sun-Sentinel story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbgps0926pssep26,0,7641610.story

Two bodies found by delivery man

It seems like murders in south Florida has risen.

A man and a woman were found dead by a delivery man in Fort Lauderdale this morning.

Bob Mandell is a delivery man for the Broward Meals on Wheels. Just before 10 a.m., he was making a delivery to the apartment located on the 1200 block of Northeast Fifth Terrace. He knocked and noticed that the door was unlatched. When he pushed the door open, he saw a woman lying in blood. Mandell called 911. When police arrived, they found the dead bodies of a woman on a couch and a man in a bedroom.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, Mandell said he has spoken to the woman and described her as a "sweetheart."

An investigation continues.

These kinds of crime are happening constantly it seems. Within the past weeks two police officers in Broward County have been killed, and others shot at. Is there a reason for the murders lately?

For more information, click on the link, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-917ftetwobodies,0,4409761.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout.

Accomplice of a burglary suspect arrested

After a week search for for an accomplice of a burglary that took place in Oakland Park, police believe they have found a suspect. They arrested him on Sunday, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Michael McNeal, 19, was arrested on Sunday outside a Fort Lauderdale church. He has been charged with murder, burglary, robbery, and carjacking. He is currently in jail without bond.

McNeal, and friend, Hung Nguyen, 17, entered Corner Urban Wear with handguns last week. That's when George Azar, 25, the store clerk, shot and killed Nguyen. McNeal is believed to have fled the area on foot, according to detectives.

Azar was not hurt during the robbery. He has nto been charged.

Parkland Beware...Car Burglary Rises!

It seems that Parkland has become victim to car burglaries.
The city of Parkland recorded the following stats:

• In 2005 the city recorded 64 car burglaries
• In 2006 the city recorded 87 car burglaries
• In 2007 there were 62 car burglaries recorded up until July 31
• Car Burglaries, in 2006, made up 37% of crime in Parkland
• In 2006, unlocked cars made up 80% of car burglaries

When compared to the same period in 2006, that's a 21% increase. According to the Coral Springs Forum, Paul O'Connell, a Parkland police chief, said that car burglaries are majority of crime for the city.

During a four-week operation, Parkland police surveillanced in undesignated cars. City officials are talking to residents to lock their cars.

The good thing is Parkland's overall crime is down b y 3.4%.

This should be something that all car owners should be aware about because it is not only happening in the city of Parkland, but in communities nearby.

Fort Lauderdale Crime Information

Focus on Fort Lauderdale, a magazine published by the city, reported some interesting crime information that suggests that crime rate is down.
Overall crime in Fort Lauderdale is down by 7%, but juvenile arrests have increased by 21% and robberies that have been solved by an arrest, have also increased by 32%. This drop in overall crime is an effect of an Action Plan that was launched in August 1, 2005.
The Action Plan, that was established by the police department tactic unit and a national campaign designed to fill police occupations, involves a focus on new crime focus tools and enthusiastic policing.
Police arrested over 5,000 people and answered over 316,000 calls in the first 6 months of 2006.