By Mike Hazlip—
Sunrise MarketPlace, the city’s largest business district, on Friday announced a double-digit drop in crime this year and also released details of a new pilot program that has added more private security in the Sunrise-Greenback commercial corridor.
In a Dec. 17 email, the district said it has contracted with two private security agencies to patrol the area. The security agencies will be active during the hours when the district’s dedicated patrol officer, Jeff Schouten, is not available.
The district said the new program will run through the end of the year. If successful, the district will consider contracting with the security companies on a regular basis.
The district began bolstering security last year when it contracted with the Police Department to have a dedicated patrol officer. The MarketPlace credited its decision to add a fulltime officer with as the reason for the drop in criminal activity, reporting crimes against property owners down by 12% between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 7, 2021.
Homeless camps in the district have also seen a 71% decrease and panhandling is also down 41%, the district said. Shoplifting has remained steady for the year.
Sunrise Marketplace is a Property-based Business Improvement District, or PBID, funded from a property tax assessment paid by each of the roughly 80 property owners. Funds do not come from business owners directly or the city’s General Fund. Similar to a homeowners association, each property owner helps fund the PBID and likewise has a say in how that money will be spent to benefit their specific area.
A recent report by The Sentinel shows the PBID passed with over 96% support for renewing the district and its related tax assessment on property owners for three years.
A portion of those funds pays for a dedicated officer to patrol the marketplace and track crime trends. Officer Schouten was hired for the position in April 2020, according to a previous report by The Sentinel.
By Mike Hazlip—
Sunrise MarketPlace, the city's largest business district, on Friday announced a double-digit drop in crime this year and also released details of a new pilot program that has added more private security in the Sunrise-Greenback commercial corridor.
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