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Police Home > Hispanic Outreach
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Hispanic Outreach
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In 2001, the Clearwater Police Department launched a community policing program to reach out to the city’s growing Hispanic population that is designed to serve as a model for law enforcement agencies nationwide. Today Hispanic residents in Clearwater are an under-served population because of language barriers and cultural perceptions that keep some Hispanics from joining the mainstream. The goals of Operation Apoyo Hispano are to reach out to our Hispanic neighbors, bridge the gap in communicating with our Spanish speaking population, seek ways to positively resolve law enforcement issues, and increase the number of bi-lingual police officers and staff. The department has produced a 30-minute video titled Joining Hands: Operation Apoyo Hispano describing our Hispanic Outreach intitiative. This video is available to law enforcement agencies by contacting the Regional Community Policing Institute at St. Petersburg Junior College. |
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 Hispanic Outreach Officer Monica Rodriguez (r) speaks with a family in a Clearwater business. YWCA Interpreter Veronica Locklear looks on. |
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Among the major partners who have committed to the Hispanic Outreach effort since its inception are the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Weed and Seed, Regional Community Policing Institute at St. Petersburg Junior College, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the YWCA of Tampa Bay, and the Allegany Franciscan Foundation, and the Pinellas County Schools Adult Education Center. The police department expects to partner with other organizations, businesses, and groups as the program grows and matures. The Hispanic initiative is a comprehensive and multi-faceted program that encompasses everything from crime to economic opportunity to social issues. Among its key components are the creation of a interpreter program consisting of bi-lingual officers and citizen interpreters to assist officers at crime scenes, incidents and accidents, the recruitment of bi-lingual officers, a victim advocacy outreach program, and a domestic violence component specifically for non-English speaking Hispanic residents and families. Apoyo Hispano incorporates mobile outreach programs that takes law enforcement and public safety information and services into Hispanic neighborhoods and soccer fields. In partnership with the YWCA of Tampa Bay, Spanish language workshops and seminars on community policing and crime prevention, drug and alcohol education, social services, legal issues and job information are provided at the Hispanic Outreach Center. Spanish language segments have broadcast on the police department's its monthly cable television show Blueline CPD.
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority population in Clearwater. It’s estimated there are 10,000 to 20,000 Hispanic residents in Clearwater or up to 15% of the population. It is expected that the Hispanic population will become an even bigger economic force in the future and to contribute to Clearwater’s attractiveness as a diverse cultural environment. Officer Brian Munoz is the department's Hispanic Outreach Officer and is responsible for the operation of the program. Organizations, businesses, and individuals who would like to participate or want further information, can email brian.munoz@myclearwater.com or call (727) 562-4147. For information in Spanish on other city services, call (727) 562-4252. You may review a chronology of our Hispanic Outreach programs here.
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