TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police are using extra precaution when it comes to preventing crimes.
It’s through the use of "proactive patrols," where officers make scheduled visits around communities. Helping law enforcement de-escalate potential crimes before they even happen.
One such instance was deployed this past weekend in the South Howard Avenue area. A shopping mall in the area was the scene of a shooting just two weekends ago. And this past Saturday, police recovered two guns — one of which was reported stolen. All found during a proactive patrol.
On Tuesday, outside the same shopping mall, officers with the Tampa Police Department gathered for a proactive patrol, going door-to-door and introducing themselves to local business owners.
Among them is Captain Whitney McCormick.
“We go to different businesses, we go to different residences within the community, and we engage with the citizens there and let them meet the cops that actually work and patrol their area, so we can have that relationship amongst each other,” said McCormick.
As McCormick said, it’s a way to build trust between community and officers. Building trust leads to better communication so that when something is seen, voices are heard.
“The community sees things sometimes that we don’t see, and we sometimes see things the community doesn’t see, so it allows us to put that partnership together and collectively as a group,” said McCormick. “Take and make sure that our areas stay safe.”
It’s communicating with business owners like ‘Z’ of the Tampa Burger Company. A business that he’s owned for the last six years.
“Always been here anytime we ask for anything,” said Z. “They’re always able to help, so we’re thankful that they care and keep the community safe.”
And these proactive patrols are paving new paths to others in the community.
“We’ve all met people this week that we probably never would have,” said McCormick. “We’re hearing their voices, their concerns — maybe things people thought were little and down here, but it’s a huge quality of life issue for them. We’re now hearing about it and we’re able to try to start taking the measures to fix that so that it increases the quality of life within their area.”
Using what they learn to help reduce crime ahead of time.
McCormick says officers are performing proactive patrols like these every day, constantly checking in with residents to help make their community a safer place.