DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — It’s hard to take advantage of free community programs when you don’t even know about them.
For example, residents in Delray Beach have access to things like free bike registration to help combat bicycle theft, as well as free security checks on their homes should they go out of town.
But when Contact 5 went down to Atlantic Avenue to talk to people about these programs, we found out most did not know they existed.
"A lot of people aren’t aware of it," said one woman on her bicycle. "I mean, I’ve had a bike stolen maybe twice. Talk to anybody. Somebody has had a bike stolen."
To help educate residents, officers with the Delray Beach Police Department are hosting three community conversations.
The first conversation, Monday night at Veterans Park, will focus on the eastern sector of the city, which is south of George Bush Boulevard and east of Swinton Avenue, as well as south of Linton Boulevard and east of I-95.
""There will be a number of officers attending the meeting that actually works the east sector, so you can have face to face contact with the officer that is actually patrolling your neighborhood," said acting Lt. Jeff Rasor. "I think we do a good job advertising all the different programs, but we still do not reach everybody."
People will also hear about crime trends affecting their neighborhood, like the fact that the eastern side of Delray sees more car break-ins.
"In the last two to three months, we have had ten guns stolen out of unlocked cars," said Rasor.
Residents will also have a chance to connect with acting Police Chief Javaro Sims and his command staff.
If you don’t live in Delray Beach, don’t worry. Most law enforcement agencies have similar programs you can also take advantage of. Contact your local agency to find out more.
The first community conversation in Delray Beach will be held Monday night in the community room at Veterans Park at 802 NE 1st Street from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
DBPD spokesperson Dani Moschella said the department will also host a meeting for the Western and Central sectors of the city. She said the department will post dates and times for those meetings on the police department's Facebook page once they've been finalized.