Soon there will be 10 extra police officers on the streets of St. Petersburg.
The hiring process will begin immediately, said Police Chief Charles “Chuck” Harmon.
The federal stimulus grant program, administered through the U.S. Department of Justice, will enhance the city’s ongoing police efforts by creating a full-time Community and Police Engagement (CAPE) unit, a program tested last year in Childs Park, Harbordale and Palmetto Park. After house-by-house visits and other community policing activities over a four month period, violent crimes dropped 26.7 percent and gun-related crimes decreased 17.1 percent. The program has since been expanded in Bartlett Park, Grand Central and Historic Kenwood.
“With these funds, we are able to enhance the gains we have seen through CAPE phases 1 and 2 into a permanent program and continue to address crime in our neighborhoods,” Chief Harmon said.
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