The Clermont Police Department (CPD) is proud to announce the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Unit has been awarded by the Florida Crime Prevention Association (FCPA) the Crime Prevention Unit of the Year award. The award will be presented at 6 pm Thurs., Oct. 25 at the Hyatt Hotel, located at 1000 Arts of the Boulevard, Sarasota at the FCPA 49th Annual Crime Prevention Conference.
The FCPA’s primary effort is to increase the awareness of crime prevention strategies and to network with other agencies on how to fight crime victimization. Their mission is to provide up-to-date training and networking opportunities in an effort to enhance the crime prevention profession in Florida. The FCPA is dedicated to supporting their members, their profession and their communities.
CPD was recognized for this award mostly for the unit’s efforts during the revitalizing and beautifying of Oakhurst. The Clermont Police COPPS Unit directly influenced a crime reduction of over 90 percent in an area that was the highest in calls for service for over five years.
The City of Clermont’s efforts changed the crime-ridden neighborhood into a nearly crime-free neighborhood through a citywide effort in which police, residents and volunteers worked together in an effort to beautify the neighborhood, encourage a sense of community and secure a safe, friendly environment.
Chief Charles Broadway said the award was a wonderful acknowledgment of the project and how lives were changed. “This award is a result of the efforts of the men and women of the Clermont Police Department working with the community to identify issues and adopt community-policing strategies to reduce crime, and enhance the quality of life while building and maintaining trust,” Broadway said.
The COPPS Unit will travel to the conference in Sarasota this week, where they will be treated to a dinner and recognized in a formal presentation by the FCPA.
The Oakhurst Project also won the City of Clermont the 2018 City Spirit Award from the 10th Annual Florida Municipal Achievement Awards.
The COPPS Unit personified the Clermont Police Department’s core values of Courage, Honor, Integrity, Professionalism, and Service Above Self.
The Community congratulates the COPPS Unit for well-deserved recognition!
