Partners in crime (and those working solo): beware. A new community partnership in crime prevention just made its debut at TECO Plaza.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn joined city and community officials, members of the Tampa Police Department (TPD) and others on March 11 in a crowded TECO Hall to announce the launch of a new program called the Downtown Business Watch. The goal of the program is to help bolster safety in the downtown core while providing new avenues for crime prevention.
“As we see more businesses and residents coming into this area, we will continue to see it be one of the safest places in the United States,” said Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor.
“Downtown is a safe place,” agreed Christine Burdick, executive director of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, a key player in the new program. “But we can’t be complacent about it.”
The program will include several facets, including a registry for Downtown Business Watch partners; TECO Plaza is among them and will display the new Downtown Business Watch sticker at the entrance of the building. Designed to create a faster and more efficient police response to reports of crime, the partnership also establishes a new unit of 17 officers on bicycles. An in-development website for the program will provide more information as TPD finalizes details of the Downtown Business Watch.
Laura Crouch, director of Community Relations with Tampa Electric, praised the effort.
“As the provider of reliable electricity to all of Tampa, including downtown, and with company team members doing important work 24 hours a day in the community, we welcome the opportunity to participate in this plan to create an even safer environment,” Crouch said. “It’s been exciting to see downtown Tampa continue to grow, and this program will help us with our part in the picture.”
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