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The Community Awareness Division is comprised of the Public Information Office, Crime Prevention, Volunteer Services, Volunteer Road Patrol and the Disabled Parking Enforcement Program. The Public Information Office is responsible for handling the day-to-day requests for information that come into the department from members of the media and general public. The Public Information Office handles between 700-800 requests per month, which involve researching incidents and providing information to reporters from both print and electronic media. In addition to the dissemination of information to the members of the media, the Public Information Office coordinates the flow of internal information through "Code 14" bulletins, which keep our employees apprised of significant issues such as births, injuries/illnesses and bereavements. In addition, the Public Information Office is responsible for producing different television shows, which are aired by Channel 15 on subjects such as Meet Your CPO, Auto Theft, Traffic Safety, Prostitution, Sexual Predators, Holiday Safety Tips, Promotion Ceremonies, and service issues involving the Communications Center, Community Policing, Criminal Investigations Division and the Internal Affairs Division. The Community Awareness Division is also responsible for the production and distribution of Behind the Badge, an internal department newsletter. Behind the Badge is a product of department employees who support its publication by writing articles that contain information on awards, promotions, retirements, accreditation, updates from sections within the department, and letters of recognition for employees. The Crime Prevention Unit, staffed by 2 officers, both certified Florida Crime Prevention Practitioners, is responsible for overseeing the over 150 neighborhood watch and business watch programs in the city. The unit also provides safety seminars to all neighborhood associations and civic associations in the city. In addition, they conduct free residential and business security surveys for residents and businesses within the city. The Crime Prevention Unit, to ensure compliance with the Florida Convenience Business Security Act, administers security surveys to convenience stores within the city under the auspice of the Florida Attorney General's Office. Other programs hosted by the Community Awareness Division include the Citizen's Community Policing Academy; The Police and Community Perspective Radio Show, which began in 1994 and broadcasts on WRXB 1590 AM. Volunteer Services, oversees the 120+ volunteers who man the department's seven citywide Community Resource Centers, and the over 100 volunteers who work within the police department. Volunteer Road Patrol Program and the Disabled Parking Enforcement Program enforce all parking violations within the city and handle certain non-priority calls to free up patrol officers. |