The Value of Video

Like it or not, no one can dispute that the use of cameras and interest in video content has exploded recently. While people flock to entertaining viral videos on the Internet, we have embraced it as a valuable tool to accomplish our public safety mission. Consider the role of video in three cases we highlighted recently.

• A Michigan man was arrested for targeting elderly women for distraction thefts. He was identified in a video image from Publix, where he stalked his victim before following her home.
• A suspect from Boynton, who stole close to $100,000 worth of jewelry from a mall store, was caught on camera as he was running from the scene, just prior to his arrest.
• Video from Victoria Secret captured two suspects from Miami who routinely traveled the east coast of the U.S., hitting various mall retail stores.

These crimes are typical Boca Raton cases. Suspects from other areas come into town, hit a local victim and then scurry back home. It's great to have private video from many of these events, but in the future, we intend to intelligently deploy a public video network throughout the City to complement existing private camera systems.

Video technology cannot stand alone. We are currently in the process of developing a project which would effectively fuse various technological resources (radios, text, GIS mapping, video, etc.) into an advanced public safety information management system. Criminals will continue to innovate. We will continue to make an effort to stay ahead.

Crime Down (Again) in 2009

Following a 5.7% drop in 2008, crime dipped by 4.6% last year. Property offenses accounted for approximately 93% of the reported crime. The percentage of Part 1 cases solved jumped from 24.9% to 26.4%. 65% of the people arrested for these offenses did not live in the City of Boca Raton.

There were seven more violent crimes last year, compared to 2008. Robberies increased by four and sex offenses rose by nine. Aggravated assaults dropped by seven.

Burglaries decreased slightly and larcenies were down by 5.2%. Automobile burglaries dropped by 10% and motor vehicle thefts declined by about 15%. Shoplifting increased by about 5%.



A low crime rate is a big part of why the quality of life in Boca Raton has always been excellent. With the growth of the City (migration and annexation) and changes in demographics, you may think the crime rate has increased significantly over the past decade. The rate has actually decreased by close to 12%, which is a credit to how well the community has adapted to changes in this dynamic South Florida environment.

The challenges to our quality of life, particularly the crime threats, are very real and ever-changing. In the first Crime in 2009 piece, I mentioned some factors influencing crime and what we (the people and the police) need to do to effectively fight the battle. I think we are on the right track with our strategies, but an informed and involved community will be the basis for our future success. Thank you for your interest and your help.

Cop or Imposter?

Everyone gets a bit nervous when they see a marked police vehicle in their rearview mirror. The tension is even greater when that unofficial looking minivan behind you lights up like a Christmas tree, signaling you to pull over.

Unmarked police vehicles are a useful tool for us, particularly in the areas of aggressive driving enforcement and surveillance. However, we do recognize that police impersonators are out there and that people will be naturally more apprehensive when we use these cars for traffic stops.

If someone in an unmarked vehicle signals for you to pull over and you are not sure if the person stopping you is a legitimate police officer, here are some suggestions:

• Signal your compliance by slowing down and activating your hazard lights.
• Drive to a well-lit and populated area.
• If you are uncertain about the stop and have a cell phone, dial 911 and ask for assistance. Request that a marked unit and uniformed officer respond to your location.
• When the officer approaches your car, do not immediately exit your vehicle – Keep your doors locked and lower your window slightly.
• Express your concerns to the officer. If you convey your concerns, the officer will better understand your actions and oftentimes will voluntarily provide you with an ID card or other proof of employment.
• Once you are satisfied the officer is legitimate, cooperate with his or her instructions.
  

Behind the Scenes

Pedro Dos Santos was arrested on February 1, 2010 as he was leaving a burglary scene. As the result of a lengthy investigation, Dos Santos has been implicated in at least 24 Boca Raton residential break-ins. To learn more about this case, check out the video at www.bocaviper.com

This case involved several different elements of the department, including patrol officers, tactical unit members, property detectives, special investigators and crime scene technicians. It was truly a team effort.

During the Dos Santos investigation, we took in close to 600 pieces of evidence. Our evidence technicians, the folks who handle all of the property that we receive at the Police Department, worked long hours and through the weekend, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a commitment to getting the job done right for the victims and the detectives.

What really impressed me was how our techs got to know our victims. As new evidence was brought into the station, they were able to identify what property belonged to which victim, simply based on their knowledge of the people they met during previous interactions.

We were able to return 345 pieces of jewelry, several cameras, multiple GPS units, a laptop, and a firearm to several victims in this case. I am sure that there is a significant dollar value associated with this returned property. However, in an age when "return on investment" is so important, it's nice to have employees who understand that going the extra mile is priceless.