Purpose:

The Community Awareness Response Team (C.A.R.T.) is a network of community volunteers and City employees who assist the City in its efforts to be proactive in becoming aware of and responsive to community issues and concerns. C.A.R.T. members routinely monitor community issues, such as youth gang activity, potential racial tension, civil unrest and neighborhood complaints. If necessary, C.A.R.T. members are available to rapidly respond to locations experiencing tension and assist law enforcement authorities with communication and negotiation processes.

FAQs

What is the purpose of C.A.R.T.

The team’s purpose is to enhance the City’s ability to maintain a constant awareness of situations that could produce community tension or develop into community unrest and to facilitate preservation of peaceful and harmonious community relations.

What are some examples of C.A.R.T.’s involvement in the community?

C.A.R.T. has been summoned by the Police Department to assist on occasions when there was potential for disturbances resulting from the gathering of large crowds at events such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and post-parade events, the old Chunky Sundays at Bartlett Park and at BayWalk.

 

It was also successful at disseminating crucial information during a potentially dangerous hostage situation at an apartment complex in the City. The team assisted in keeping the forming crowd informed as to what was happening which helped to control rumors and to keep the crowd peaceful.

 

What are the responsibilities of membership?

• Understanding that the team member is NOT a police officer
• Becoming thoroughly acquainted with area residents and encouraging reporting incidents of an unusual nature, or those that have potential to create a disturbance or unrest
• Reporting rumors circulating in the community that could adversely affect the peace
• Reporting any community related issues or concerns that may warrant investigation and/or action
• Attending quarterly team meetings

 

How to Join the Team

 

Interested citizens should submit a resume with a cover letter briefly describing their interest in membership to the address below:

 

Lendel Bright, Coordinator

Civilian Police Review/Community Relations Division

P.O. Box 2842

St. Petersburg, FL 33731-2842

Telephone: (727) 893-7229 or (727) 892-7345

Fax: (727) 551-5064

TDD/TTY: (727) 892-5259

 

Community Affairs Department/Community Relations Division is located at:

 

175 Fifth Street North

City Hall Building, First Floor

St. Petersburg, FL 33701