Public Information:

Our Captain and Detective, in addition to other duties, act as Public Information Officers.  Public Information entails promoting a cooperative climate with all media.  We provide public information to the media, members of the Department and the public regarding police activities promoting a positive image for the Hollywood Police Department.  As liaisons to the Crime Watch Advisory Board, the unit works with the twenty member board to aid them in promoting the Crime Watch program, providing Departmental resources to help keep their neighborhoods safe, and promote Crime Watch activities and membership drives. Additionally, the Captain directs and coordinates the daily activities and future plans of the Crime Prevention Unit.

Crime Prevention Unit:

The Public Affairs Unit addresses a variety of community relation's activities.  Crime Prevention Specialists teach an array of crime prevention and safety programs to children and adults.  The unit conducts residential and commercial security surveys at no charge to the residents and business owners of Hollywood.  The CPTED trained Crime Prevention Specialists work closely with your Neighborhood Services Unit in providing crime prevention workshops throughout the City of Hollywood. CPTED training allows the Crime Prevention Unit to coordinate crime prevention efforts with architects, planners and landscape architects by reviewing building plans and making recommendations during the design stage to ensure that buildings are safer from a crime prevention standpoint, as well as designing a building to the owners specifications. Security surveys are also available for existing structures, commercial and residential.

Crime Prevention programs are available to groups such as Homeowners Associations, Civic Associations, Crime Watch groups and schools.  Programs can be tailored to a certain age group and range from child safety to elderly safety.  Crime Prevention Specialists participate in Bicycle Safety Rodeos, Auto Theft Rallies, Stranger Danger, and Business and Neighborhood Crime Watch activities, just to name a few.

The Crime Prevention Unit works in conjunction with Memorial Regional Hospital in maintaining the "R.U.O.K." program for some of our elderly citizens. These citizens receive daily telephone calls to insure that they have not become injured or ill. Should the resident not respond to the daily call, a Police Officer is sent to the home to ensure their well being.

The C.A.T. (Combat Auto Theft) Program is also coordinated from the Crime Prevention Unit. A $3.00 registration fee buys a resident a decal for their car. Upon displaying this decal, local ordinance allows an Officer to stop the vehicle if seen operated between 1:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. to insure that the vehicle is not an unreported stolen vehicle.

Citizens Police Academy:

The Citizens Police Academy is an excellent opportunity for residents and business owners to get a "behind the scene" look into the Hollywood Police Department.  The Academy enables participants to become more familiar with the day-to-day operations of the Police Department. Participants gain a better understanding of the procedures, responsibilities, guidelines, and demands of personnel and the policies and laws that guide decision making.  They become better informed as to the actual role of the Police.  For 12 weeks, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., one night a week, participants receive "hands on" instruction from guest lecturers and partake in classroom activities and ride alongs with Patrol Officers.  Citizen Academy classes are held at Police Headquarters.  At the end of the 12 week academy, an awards banquet is held.  Class space is limited to 25 per session. A $30 registration fee is required (checks made payable to the City of Hollywood.)
For additional information, contact the Public Affairs Section at (954) 967-4314.

Crime Watch:

The Public Affairs Captain acts as a liaison to the 20 member Advisory Board, to insure Police Department resources are accessible and offer guidance in crime prevention.  The board is comprised of commission appointed representatives from 20 neighborhood zones patrolled by the COP Division.  Advisory Board members assist their neighborhood in coordinating Crime Watch activities, membership efforts and crime prevention efforts.  Advisory Board members meet on a monthly basis to review past efforts, plan future events and strategies and share information about their neighborhoods to aid in finding successful ways to promote a sense of community and crime prevention.  Crime Watch members can be a valuable tool for the Police Officer.  One example is the police officer's ability to activate a telephone chain in a specific neighborhood to help find a missing child, or make residents aware of a criminal activity.  Citizens and businesses alike are encouraged to contact the advisor in their neighborhood for additional information or call the Public Affairs Unit at 954-967-4314.

Citizens Volunteer Program:

Our volunteers receive an assignment in various locations within the Police Department to help supplement the variety of tasks necessary behind the scenes in law enforcement.  Efforts are made to match a volunteer's background and experience to the best possible tasks in the Department.  The number of hours and days are flexible.

The Hollywood Police Department appreciates and applauds the efforts of those willing to give so unselfishly of their time and effort in the betterment of the Police Department and the community.

Volunteers are recognized annually at the Officer/Employee of the Year banquet.

For information contact the Public Affairs Unit at (954) 967-4314.

Visit the Police Honor Guard Page