The West Palm Beach Downtown Neighborhood Association (WPB-DNA) today announced its first-ever “Community Impact Award,” which will be presented annually to recognize outstanding and exemplary individuals who make Downtown West Palm Beach a vibrant, safe community for residents, businesses and visitors. The first award will be presented at a breakfast reception sponsored by First Bank of the Palm Beaches on Jan. 8 at E.R. Bradley’s, with guests to include the DNA Board of Directors, Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors, Mayor Lois Frankel and West Palm Beach City Commissioners.
The first recipients are Lt. Randy Maale, a City of West Palm Beach police officer who serves as the Commander of the Downtown Entertainment District Unit (EDU), and Willie Perez, regional manager of IPC Security, for their collaborative and innovative efforts on behalf of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), CityPlace and the City of West Palm Beach.
The criteria for the award, eligible to individuals or groups, are those who make significant improvements to the quality of life Downtown, engage and partner with the Downtown residential and business community, and create a positive impact on critical issues effecting residents.
“Downtown is alive with activity because of the efficient public-private collaboration among law enforcement and security officers who help keep it safe,” said Tim Harris, president of the WPB-DNA. “People spend hours Downtown at our one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, and they need to feel welcome, secure and confident here. Lt. Maale and Willie Perez help make it a safe place for everyone.”
After being assigned to Downtown nearly two years ago, Maale was instrumental in forming the EDU. He now works closely with Downtown businesses and residential properties, as well as the DDA and its private security ambassadors, to form policies and procedures that most effectively serve the Downtown. Additionally, Maale was recently nominated by Chief Delsa Bush for, and plans to attend, the FBI’s National Academy Program for law enforcement professionals.
“Lt. Maale brings a proactive, innovative approach to policing Downtown,” said Raphael Clemente, associate director at the DDA who oversees the security ambassadors program. “His joint efforts with Perez have decreased crime and nuisance issues, while increasing the level of service to patrons of shops, restaurants and nightspots Downtown.”
As the regional manager for IPC Security, the private company that manages security for both areas in the DDA District (including Clematis Street and Flagler Drive) and CityPlace, Perez is responsible for a team of “security ambassadors,” which provide a customer-friendly and security presence. In addition to enhancing overall public safety by deterring panhandling, graffiti and other nuisances, the ambassadors also have a tourism role, helping visitors locate shops, restaurants and other destinations, distribute maps, and more. Perez, who served in the active Army and in the U.S. Army National Guard Reserve, was also a law enforcement officer for 13 years prior to joining IPC.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) recently cited in a mid-year report that the City of West Palm Beach had the largest decrease in crime – a 20 percent decrease in the crime rate over the first six months of 2008 – compared to other cities its size in the state of Florida, due in large part to the quality of life initiatives led by Maale and Perez. Lt. Maale states that crime in Downtown West Palm Beach is down by nearly 50 percent compared to 2007 numbers.
In addition to the efforts by the award recipients, as well as the creation of the EDU and enforcement by private security patrol, the City and the DDA have collaborated on a number of vital ordinances, programs and services to address the critical priorities of the Downtown corridor. Initiatives include implementing a teenage curfew ordinance and banning nightclubs from allowing patrons under 21 years old. The City was also the first in the state to create an anti-gang ordinance, and the Police Department was one of the first to utilize the latest technology, such as remote cameras in high-crime areas, for the benefit community safety. Additionally, parking lots and garages now have parking attendants on duty 24-hours-a-day and increased security presence throughout the facilities.
For more information about the WPB-DNA, visit www.wpbdna.com. For more information about Downtown West Palm Beach, contact the DDA at (561) 833-8873 or www.westpalmbeachdda.com.
