The Ocala Police Department Crime Prevention Section
conducts various projects and events under several programs. Drug Education For
Youth (D.E.F.Y), Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), Gang
Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.), Truancy Intervention Partnership
Program (T.I.P.P.), Explorers and other programs provide skills training for
community youth in important areas such as drug resistance, gang resistance,
self esteem, conflict resolution and many more. The Crime Prevention Section
conducts cookouts, Bike Safety Rodeos, Recreational Events, overnight camp-outs,
field trips and many other activities. These activities are part of the ongoing
efforts of the Ocala Police Department to maintain the partnership between Law
Enforcement and the community.
The goals of the Community Policing Component are:
- Reduce juvenile vandalism and crime.
- Reduce gang-related crime and violence through gang resistance training.
- Reduce the amount of juvenile criminal activity during after school hours
and during the summer months.
- Continue to conduct monthly social gatherings and cookouts to increase the
trust residents have with officers from the Ocala Police Department.
- Increase trust of police by area youth by conducting mobile bicycle safety
rodeos.
During the last year, the Community Policing Component accomplished the
following:
- 34 Inner city kids participated in the DEFY program.
- Over 4,000 youngsters have participated in programs sponsored by community
police officers. Some of these programs include neighborhood cookouts, camping
trips, D.A.R.E. events and Cops, Kids, and Firefighters Day.
- The Community Policing Unit has developed a traveling youth recreation
program that is taken into public housing communities and troubled neighborhoods
following weed operation.
- For more information contact Sgt. Mike Spicer at 369-7145.
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