WPB Police Getting A Helping Hand!

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For the record I have and always support Law Enforcement, and all first responders. Bless them all.

 

Dec. 15, 2021 PB Post reporter Alexandra Clough, wrote the article, and below are excerpts from the story.  Entire story can be read below. My comments in italic.

‘Very powerful,’ ‘financially successful people’ create fund to back West Palm Beach police.

“A group of residents has created a group to raise money for the West Palm Beach Police Department.”

“Al Adelson, who launched the fund. Adelson is a developer of The Bristol, an ultra-luxury condominium at 1100 S. Flagler Drive.”

The Bristol is where Mayor Keith James sent the WPB Fire Dept. to issue the Covid vaccine to wealthy residents.

“Among the people involved in the new police fund is Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins football team and chairman of New York-based Related Cos., developer of The Square (formerly CityPlace), and numerous office buildings.”

In addition to Adelson and Ross, financier Robert Garvey and attorney Bill Bone also are involved.

“Adelson said the money raised by the fund will be used to recognize police officers with awards, as well as purchase needed equipment, such as a new mobile command center van. The van costs $1 million, Adderley said.”

$1 million seemed high to me so I googled it and here’s the response.
How much does a mobile command center cost? ” A well equipped unit can range $100,000-$300,000 depending on options and features added.”

“This group is going to raise tens of millions of dollars over the next few years.”
In just a few months, Adelson said the nonprofit already has raised $150,000 for police.
On Wednesday, 277 West Palm Beach police officers each will receive $200 Publix gift certificates paid for by the fund at an event being held at the downtown police headquarters.

Adelson said members of the fund are concerned about “street people” in the downtown who may be dealing with addictions. “That’s a different element, and I’m concerned that element will turn to crime,” Adelson said. “We want our downtown and the whole city to be safe. He stressed that he is not singling out homeless people who may be struggling economically.”         All homeless people are struggling economically.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2021/12/15/deep-pocket-residents-raise-millions-west-palm-beach-police/6499296001/

If I could give any advice to the “group” Adelson, Ross, Garvey and Bone it would be to work directly with the Police Dept; and the Police Union when dispensing the funds, and bypass the Mayor and City Administrator because past actions prove they can’t be trusted.

Example:
A presentation by City Administrator Faye Johnson concerning the city budget included the following information.

Slide 11 FY09 – FY18 Fire Assessment Fee • The total Fire Assessment Fee collected for the period was $19,675,963 of which: $11,434,115 (H) was allocated within the Fire Assessment Fund and $8,241,848 was allocated to the General Fund.”

James, along with the aid of the City Commissioners raised the Fire Fee from $50.00 to $100.00 effective in 2019.

WPB Watch did a story on the Fire Fee and if readers want to refresh their memory It can be read here:      https://wpbwatch.com/2021/08/no-misuse-of-citys-fire-fee/

The “group” never mentions crime in our area, just raised the issue of “street people & homeless people” so I am assuming the “street people” is a problem in their little slice of paradise.

If they can raise millions why not build housing for the homeless, and I don’t mean in the poorest section of the city where crime is a problem. See below: “Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In West Palm Beach, FL.”

A member of the “group” is Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and Related.

2/7/2022 Palm Beach Post reporters Alexandra Clough and Kimberly Miller wrote:

“Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a powerhouse real estate titan who helped transform West Palm Beach from a sleepy midsized city to a growing center of finance and business.

Along the way, his Related Cos. has become the dominant developer in the city, and Ross is known as a business leader who doesn’t take no for an answer when it comes to winning approval for his ambitious real estate projects.

Related’s presence in downtown is pervasive, from the company’s mixed-use project known as The Square, formerly CityPlace, to its ownership of the downtown’s top four Class A office buildings, and to a new waterfront office tower under construction that won city approval despite vocal public opposition.

But real estate brokers mindful of Related’s power privately refer to West Palm Beach by a different name: “Relatedville.”

If you read this far is there any doubt Stephen Ross doesn’t have the “pull” to make things happen in WPB? How about Mr. Ross build one less Class A office buildings and replace it with a Class A building to house the homeless.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2022/02/07/miami-dolphins-owner-and-related-cos-developer-stephen-ross-helped-transform-west-palm-beach/6638327001/

“Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In West Palm Beach, FL.”

“Here are the most dangerous neighborhoods in West Palm Beach for 2022. The rankings are calculated based on the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people for each neighborhood, compared to the West Palm Beach violent crime average. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. The most dangerous areas in West Palm Beach is based on data from the local law enforcement agency and when not available, also includes estimates based on demographic data.”
https://www.areavibes.com/west+palm+beach-fl/most-dangerous-neighborhoods/

It’s Super Bowl Sunday and see how the homeless embarrass Los Angeles. America, one of the richest country in the world, can’t take care of it’s poorest citizens. Shame on us.

Los Angeles wants to hide homeless crisis as Super Bowl approaches, community leader says.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-wants-to-hide-homeless-crisis-for-super-bowl-community-leader-says

The end