Call 954-962-8180 for a free subscription
Yo ur
ult im at e
s o u rce
f o r
al l
t h ings
hollywood
Vol. IX No. 5 • JANUARY 2010 • www.hollywoodgazette.com
IN THIS ISSUE Photo by Tom Olsen
More than a drugstore
6 White Orchid Pharmacy offers both traditional prescriptions and holistic alternatives at 2328B Hollywood Blvd.
low-cost vaccinations
Humane Society offers low-cost vaccination clinics in early 2010.
8
Police Chief Chad Wagner leads HPD to reduce crime
Figures show reduction in violent crimes
validated numbers. The report indicates a decrease By Caron Conway in the violent crimes of forcible Lead Correspondent sex offenses and robberies, but an increase in aggravated assaults. Florida lawmakThe total non-violent crime rate, ers are hopeful that the Despite factors comprised of burglary, thefts, SunRail bill passed by the such as the econmotor vehicle burglary and motor Legislature and signed into omy, joblessness vehicle theft, increased 5 percent law by Gov. Charlie Crist and a migration of from 2007 to 2008. last month will clear the homeless during the Hollywood way for a high-speed comBrett Daly winter, Hollywood’s Police Chief muter train line in Central Associate Police Department Chadwick WagFlorida that could extend Editor (HPD) continues ner contributed to Miami in the future. to make strides in the decrease in Florida is seeking $2.6 reducing crime. the total violent billion in federal stimulus Hollywood’s total violent crime rate to money for the construction and crime rate decreased 4 percent the increase in operation of a commuter train from 2007 to 2008, according to street patrolling. HOLLYWOOD that would exceed speeds of the latest information available POLICE CHIEF In 2007, the 110 mph and link Orlando with Hollywood Police from a Municipal Uniform Crime CHAD WAGNER Hollywood Po- Department Lakeland and Tampa starting as Report, a report system that allows lice Department, early as 2012. the Florida Department of Law En-Semi-Annual which contains The Obama administration UCR Part 1 Crime Statistics forcement to provide standardized 336 officers, had only one street has set aside $8 billion for highComparison of Nearby Coastal Cities reports on crime statistics based on unit, he but after shift- 30, 2008 speed rail projects. Meanwhile, January 1-Junecrime 30, 2009 tosaid, January 1-June ing 24 officers from other transit administrators are reviewbranches of the department HOLLYWOOD DANIA BEACH FT. LAUDERDALE HALLANDALE ing applications from nearly 40 to patrol, they currently January-June January-June January-June states and January-June Semi-Annual Washington, D.C., have four. for rail money Crime Statistics 2009 2008 % 2009 2008 % 2009 2008 % 2009 2008totaling % close to Seven of those 24 $60 billion. The money Homicide 4 4 0% 2 0 NC 6 8 -25% 0 1 -100% is part of new patrol officers are the federal government’s $787 Forcible Rape 21 37 -43% 9 5 80% 36 60 -40% 2 7 -71% designated Neighborhood billion stimulus bill intended to Robbery 171 225 -24% 58 57 2% 365 453 -19% 48 71 -32% Team Leaders (NTL’s). create new jobs. Aggravated Assault* 149 169 -12% 94 81 16% their 374 334 12% Federal 117 142 -18%including NTLs work with officials, area’s Crime Watch orgaFlorida’s U.S. senators and Total Violent Crimes 345 435 -21% 163 143 14% 781 855 -9% 167two221 -24% nizations, homeowner’s U.S. Transportation Secretary Burglary 778 769 1% 142 171 -17% 1382 1167 18% 146 187 -22% associations and commisRay LaHood, had warned that Larceny (Theft) 2169 2400 -10% 471 556 -15% and 3269 3382 -3% 574 -10% sioners to identify Florida would636not qualify for resolve the problems and 442 -22% Motor Vehicle Theft 317 396 -20% 86 72 19% 343 62 90 unless -31%the state federal funding concerns of residents and supported commuterTotal Non-Violent Crimes 3264 3565 -8% 699 799 -13% 4994 4991 0% 782 in-state 913 -14% visitors. rail projects with a high-speed “We- publicly Jan ac-- Jan system Jan - Jan Jan - Jan Janlinked - Jan to - commuter rail. Sum of Violent and NonJune June June June June June June knowledged that we hadJune a Florida lawmakers on Dec. 8 violent Offenses 2009 2008 2009 2008 2008 2009 2008 % % % % crime problem (in 2009 2007),” endorsed a commuter 3609 4000 -10% 862 942 -8% 5775 5846 -1% 949 1134 -16%train for Chief Wagner said. “We Central Florida and agreed to don’t make any excuses pay more for commuter rail here. But our numbers consistently service in South Florida, thereby decreased in our violent crimes potentially improving the state’s since then.” chances of winning federal fundAccording to comparisons ing for high-speed rail. of January through June 2008 The new law will help to January through June 2009, underwrite operations of the the report shows a 21 percent financially troubled Tri-Rail commuter line in South Florida, increasing the state’s current $27 crime update million annual subsidy by up to Other sex offenses not included
Iincludes M.V. Burglary per UCR requirements
Postmaster: Time sensitive material.
The Relay for Life community event activities include live music and entertainment, a 5K run, a health fair and a dunk-tank featuring Mayor Peter Bober.
Including attempts
3363 sheridan st. suite 209 Hollywood, FL 33021
8
Florida seeks 2.6 billion in stimulus for high-speed rail
cont. on page 6
$15 million in gas-tax money. The SunRail law also shifts $60 million to rail projects from other transportation spending starting in 2014 and provides for the creation of two new state entities to plan and oversee passenger rail systems across Florida. Supporters of the rail legislation say it also increases the potential for SunRail, Tri-Rail and a high-speed rail line to generate thousands of new jobs in a state with some 1 million unemployed residents. Crist signed the rail bill into law on Dec. 16 at signing ceremonies in Tallahassee; in Tampa, at the future site of the Tampa High Speed rail station; at Orlando’s historic Church Street Station; and at the Tri-Rail stop for the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport. Crist said the SunRail bill could set the stage for commuter trains in diverse metro areas such as Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and South Florida that could someday all be connected by high-speed rail. The governor called the outcome of the legislative special session “a brave and historic step to transform Florida’s future – not only as it relates to transportation in our state, but also for the employment and eco-
sunrail update cont. on page 8
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 1498 SO FL, FL