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February 7 - February 13, 2020

The Town-Crier

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NEWS

PBSO: Crime Statistics Generally Down In Loxahatchee Groves

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 17 Lt. Craig Turner gave his annual law enforcement update to the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council on Tuesday, Feb. 4, reporting that crime is down generally, with a few exceptions. Turner said that four of his five deputies have been assigned to District 17 since he became commander. “There has been no turnover, so there has been the ability to meet the residents and start making connections in the area,” he said. “One deputy has been on board for six or seven months now, so he’s the only change that I have had in the last two years.” There were few crimes against people, with two in 2018 and three in 2019, with one robbery and two sexual assaults.

Helpline

Just Dial 2-1-1

continued from page 1 line. That way, we don’t have a veteran or someone who is suicidal waiting behind a person seeking information on childcare in their neighborhood,” Schroeder explained. Schroeder continued that the mission of 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast is to connect people to services 24 hours a day by understanding their individual emotional, financial and community needs, and to provide support for the health and human services system as a whole. The organization is operated by a private nonprofit started 49 years ago in Palm Beach County as a drug hotline. It quickly expanded into crisis counseling and suicide prevention to provide information and referral services to support a quality, centralized access point for health, human and crisis services. At the turn of the 21st centu-

“The robbery was a resident of Belle Glade who was passing through,” Turner said. “Somebody committed a robbery against him, and when we started questioning and trying to get more information, he decided he didn’t want to do anything else and refused to prosecute.” Both sexual assault victims also declined to prosecute. “You had two sexual assaults that happened inside of Loxahatchee Groves,” he said. “Both of them, the suspect and the victim were known to each other and had a relationship. In one case, the female was underage and refused to prosecute.” Burglaries were down significantly except for automobile burglaries. Burglaries to businesses were down from 12 in 2018 to six in 2019. Construction burglaries were down from seven in 2018 to four in 2019. Residential burglar-

ies were down from 13 in 2018 to three in 2019. “That’s a trend that we have seen throughout the western region and across the county,” he said. Vehicle burglaries, however, were up from 14 in 2018 to 15 in 2019. Vandalism increased from five incidents in 2018 to seven in 2019. “Vehicle burglaries continue to be an issue, but looking at the overall picture, you had 15 for the entire year,” Turner said. “In the grand scheme of things, a lot of the areas have been hit a lot harder than that.” Stolen vehicles increased from 14 in 2018 to 23 in 2019, with six recovered in 2018 and 10 in 2019. “One of the main reasons for that is you have a U-Haul business on Southern Blvd.,” he said. “Seven different times they reported that a truck was stolen. The next day, they appeared back on the

property, and they didn’t want to do anything.” Motor vehicle crashes were down from 117 in 2018 to 77 in 2019. Hit and runs were also down from 15 in 2018 to 12 in 2019. “Motor vehicle crashes, this is an anomaly,” he said. “Countywide, crashes have gone up. I don’t know what to attribute it to. You could say it’s the speed limits… but you don’t see this anywhere else.” District 17 deputies made 87 arrests and notices to appear in court in 2018 compared to 56 in 2019. They made 8,788 business and residential checks in 2018, and 9,099 in 2019. Deputies made 1,904 traffic stops in 2018 and 2,272 in 2019, with 1,015 citations issued in 2018 and 1,809 in 2019. “A lot of times, if it’s something that we can educate somebody on, we try to talk to them and explain

what they’re doing, and give them a chance to not do it,” Turner said. “If it’s somebody who deserves a ticket, they get a ticket.” He said the focus of enforcement has changed. In 2018, it was speeders on Okeechobee Blvd. In 2019, the focus was on the lettered roads. “We really tried to get down to Collecting Canal where we have a lot of issues with speeding, B Road, Tangerine was just mentioned to me,” he said. District 17 made several undercover operations over the past year, where they had minors attempt to buy liquor, with mixed results, he said. “The A&G Market was one of the locations we tried to buy at,” Turner said. “Both times, the underage drinkers were denied. We did have another store a little farther north that actually sold alcohol to one of the kids, but the

second time we did it, nothing was sold to minors.” Councilwoman Laura Danowski asked Turner if deputies ever have had difficulty finding addresses or have been impeded by closed gates, and he said that they have. “There’s certain roads that they’ve gone to where roads dead end into more than one property, and there’s confusion as to which one is which,” he said. “Most of the time that’s not an issue.” Town Manager Jamie Titcomb said discussion has come up about enacting an ordinance requiring all residents to post an address. “Our [Unified Land Development Committee] was talking about that very issue just the other day,” he said. “The pros and cons of whether we would make everybody put a standardized address on their property, and there’s a lot of debate on that.”

ry the three-digit dialing code 2-1-1 was designated nationally by the Federal Communications Commission for information and referral purposes, and to help protect the integrity of the 9-1-1 emergency-only system. 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast has long been the designated agency to answer all local calls dialed into the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It also answers the Rape Crisis Helpline and Violent Crime Helpline as well. Five other key programs are the focus of the organization, although it offers information on many other topics: • Elder Crisis Outreach has been in operation for some 30 years providing vulnerable, distressed senior citizens in Palm Beach County with intensive, short-term support in navigating the sometimes-overwhelming health and human services system. • A program serving as the centralized access point for families of children, from birth to age 22, with special needs assists parents and caregivers in finding much-needed

information and resources in Palm Beach County. • The Help Me Grow program provides information and advice to parents who are concerned about their children under age eight. Physical or emotional development, behavior or learning can be screened via telephone, and referrals, care coordination and follow-up can be provided. “A 45-minute, over-the-phone screening might detect a situation early and lead to catching them as early as possible, and we can get them engaged with the providers and take it to the next level,” Schroeder said. “It’s a great way to capture those kids who might go unnoticed.” • A primarily volunteer-based service going back more than three decades is the Sunshine Telephone Reassurance program that contacts some 500 elderly and homebound clients throughout the five-county service area. The daily, reassuring phone call to check on their well-being is frequently the only outside contact the client will have all day. Schroeder said that

about 10 wellness checks a year have led to responders interceding to save an elderly person from a life-threatening situation. • 211 My Florida Vet is the connection that provides Florida veterans with access to mental health and substance abuse services. It also supports veterans recovering from mental health conditions. “The phone lines are staffed with vets, sometimes locals to provide peer-to-peer information,” Schroeder said. Fielding some 88,000 communications a year, about 250 on an average day, the organization works with a $2.8 million budget and is proud that less than 12 percent is used for overhead and administrative support and not part of direct services. Communication with the service can be through voice for telephone or chat and text messaging functions. In addition to the organization’s high level of expertise and track record of quality service, it is cost-effective and more efficient to have one organization with the

responsibility for maintaining the community resource database for all to use. “I can’t always guarantee that there will be a resource,” Schroeder said. “If there is one, we can connect you to it.”

She also asked that people become aware of the number so they can tell a friend whenever the need arises. Want to learn more? You can visit www.211palmbeach.org, or just dial 2-1-1.

Community Of Hope Hosting Night To Shine Prom For People With Special Needs

Community of Hope Church recently announced that they will serve as one of nearly 671 churches around the world already registered to host Night to Shine 2020, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. This event will be hosted through local churches across the globe simultaneously on Friday, Feb. 7. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God's love, for people

with special needs ages 14 and older. Community of Hope is excited to be a part of this worldwide movement that is uniting churches of different denominations all over the world with the common goal of celebrating people with special needs. Every guest enters this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the

royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors, a dance floor... all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom. Night to Shine has experienced incredible growth, now in its sixth year. Last February, 655 host churches and 200,000 volunteers came together to celebrate 100,000

honored guests with special needs. The Tim Tebow Foundation anticipates 800 churches to sign up to host this year’s event. For information on the Night to Shine event hosted by Community of Hope in Loxahatchee, visit www.communityofhope.church. For more information on the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, visit www. timtebowfoundation.org.

Retreat Behavioral Health To Host Dare To Self-Care Expo At The Mall Feb. 9

Retreat Behavioral Health has announced it will host Dare to Self-Care, a women’s self-care and mental health expo, this weekend. On Sunday, Feb. 9, Retreat is inviting women to the Live 360 court at the Mall at Wellington Green for an afternoon of activities designed to improve their mental, emotional and physical health. “At Retreat Behavioral Health, we think it’s important to support the well-being of our patients, employees and the communities we

serve,” said Peter Schorr, Retreat Behavioral Health CEO. “In our fast-paced society, it can be hard to slow down and make sure that you’re taking care of yourself. We hope that by providing access to events like this, we can encourage more people to integrate self-care into their everyday lives.” Event attendees can take advantage of a number of free activities, including a journaling and creative writing course, acupuncture demonstrations and

health assessments. There will also be yoga, Zumba and Krav Maga self-defense classes available for a fee. The money raised by these classes will benefit the 211 Crisis Hotline, the community helpline that provides suicide prevention, crisis intervention, information, assessments and referral to community services for people of all ages. The event will take place Sunday, Feb. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the

Mall at Wellington Green, located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., visit www.shopwellingtongreen.com/events. Retreat Behavioral Health provides treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders, with a number of residential and outpatient facilities throughout multiple U.S. states. Its mission is to help people access the best quality of care in a holistic and peaceful environment. Learn more at www. retreatbehavioralhealth.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why I’m Heading To Tallahassee

My connection to Alzheimer’s disease began 20 years ago, when I owned a small assisted living facility and cared for many of the same residents for several years. I saw the changes, the decline and the impact on not only the patients, but also their families, with the difficulties and sense of loss they often experienced. In late 2014, I lost my dad at the age of 78 after several years of watching him struggle with symptoms of Lewy body dementia. His slow decline was accompanied by frequent and unpleasant hallucinations.

My dad, once a big, strapping fellow, had become frail and limited to a wheelchair and needing assistance with most everything. During the last six months of his life, he was completely bedridden with hospice care until he died. I’ll be attending the Alzheimer’s Association Rally in Tally alongside 100 Floridians who have also been impacted by the disease. I will be meeting with elected officials to discuss making Alzheimer’s a top legislative priority, as well as the specific needs our legislature must address to make Florida a truly dementia-capable state. Kelly Wilson Royal Palm Beach

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‘Tee-Off For Kids’ Golf Tournament Saturday, Feb. 15 In Belle Glade

Palm Beach State College’s Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board will host its inaugural “Tee-Off for Kids” fundraising golf tournament Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Belle Glade Municipal Golf Club. Proceeds from the tournament will help fund arts-based educational outreach programs in local schools. Registration for the four-man scramble format tournament will

Village Hall

Meeting On Feb. 13

continued from page 1 Blvd. in front of Village Hall boasts nine lanes at its intersection with Royal Palm Beach Blvd. In fact, that intersection is one of the busiest in the county. Just over a decade ago, to alleviate cramped conditions, Royal Palm Beach constructed a separate lakeside Village Meeting Hall building for the council chambers, which freed up new office space for staff. Last year, due to the aging building infrastructure and regulatory issues such as non-compliance of certain spaces with the Americans with Disabilities Act, village staff conducted a comprehensive study on whether it made better sense for taxpayers to build a new Village Hall or, alternatively, enlarge and rebuild the existing facilities. A cost analysis showed that a complete razing and rebuild of Village Hall is the most cost-efficient option going forward. “One key advantage to this new building is that it will be designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane,” Village Engineer Chris Marsh said. “This means that the village will be able to continue to provide services to the general public immediately before and after storms.” The village sent out a competitive request for qualifications (RFQ) for an architectural firm, and the council awarded the design contract to REG Associates, a West Palm Beach firm with a résumé of successfully completed projects for West Palm Beach, Wellington,

Manager

Contract For SEND IN YOUR LETTERS Titcomb

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BARRY S. MANNING DAWN RIVERA JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor Publisher General Manager RON BUKLEY Senior Editor

STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ Art & Production Manager

EDITORIAL STAFF/ Meredith Burow • Erin Davisson • Denis Eirikis Denise Fleischman • Gene Nardi • Callie Sharkey • M. Dennis Taylor CONTRIBUTORS/ Jules Rabin • Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Joetta Palumbo STAFF/ Yolanda Cernicky • Shanta Daibee • Jill Kaskel • Carol Lieberman • Geri O’Neil

continued from page 1 tion might come up with the city attorney’s contract, but Shutt said there is no reference to a supermajority in his contract. “You can actually get rid of me at any time,” he said. “It’s a lot easier to kick me out the door than it is him.” By consensus, the council agreed to remove any reference to the charter in Titcomb’s contract. Councilwoman Lisa El-Ramey said she would have preferred a one-year renewal to three years. “I think with the rest of us on the love fest here with Jamie,

begin at 8 a.m. with the tournament starting at 9 a.m. The $75 registration fee includes green fees, range balls, a cart, lunch and a gift bag. Items available for purchase will be a putting contest, mulligans, a 50/50 raffle and prize raffles. Tee and team sponsorships are available, and individual golfers are encouraged to register. For more info., call (561) 993-1160 or visit www.dollyhand.org.

Palm Beach County and a wide variety of other governmental buildings. “The village has given the green light to REG Associates to begin designing the new Village Hall project,” Liggins said. “It’s time to put pen to paper and see what it might look like. We want to create a public space that is user friendly, full of trees and attractive landscaping, and one that will be a source of civic pride.” The new building will be designed to be more energy efficient, take up less of a footprint and consolidate all operations into a one-stop shop. The new facility will still incorporate the U.S. Post Office annex, which is one major reason residents visit, along with the licensing and building permit offices that also attract and serve large numbers of the public. The nearby David B. Farber Training Center and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation will remain unchanged. Construction of the approximately $6 million project is currently scheduled to begin at the end of 2020 and take about a year and a half. “I am proud that this is the last piece of major infrastructure that the village needs for some time,” Liggins said. “We built Commons Park, we rebuilt the Cultural Center and now we are going to build a new Village hall, all without borrowing money or raising taxes.” The Village Hall conceptual design public input meeting is set for Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center, located at 151 Civic Center Way. For more info., visit www.royalpalmbeach.com. given the exodus of the previous management, and I understand the position of going to a three-year term,” El-Ramey explained. “My concerns were just extending the term already beyond one year as we’re still digging through the mud of what this is all costing the town. I know I’m in the minority here, but I just wanted to get that said.” Maniglia made a motion to approve the contract with the changes discussed, which carried 5-0. Titcomb’s base salary is $125,000 a year with benefits, which is the same as his previous contract, but it allows an increase without a written amendment. Severance without cause awards Titcomb four weeks’ pay with one month’s insurance pay.

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