Safety Programs
Citizen Public Safety Academy and Public Safety Youth Academy:
Annually, the Police and Fire departments of the City of Apopka provide educational programs to adults and youth of the community regarding inner workings of the departments. You will be able to experience what being a police officer or firefighter is like in Apopka. As a student, you will learn all aspects of police and fire services and participate in discussions and exercises.
Topics Include:
Crime Scene Investigations, Fire Suppression, Evidence Collection, Vehicle Extrications, Search and Seizure, Building Searches, High Angle Rescues, Defensive Driving, Traffic Laws, Judicial Process, Criminal Investigations, K-9 demonstrations, and Court Room and Jail Tours.
Why Attend ?
You will gain understanding of law enforcement and fire services in your community. There are minimum qualifications to attend and a thorough background check will be conducted on each applicant.
Neighborhood Watch Program:
Neighborhood Watch is a community action program that relies on mutual cooperation aimed at reducing crime in residential communities. This program establishes a formal network for concerned citizens to communicate with other neighbors and the police, and in turn become more aware of the activity that occurs in their neighborhoods.
Business and Home Protection Program:
We will be happy to have one of our crime prevention specialists review your home or business for issues related to crime prevention and detection. Protecting yourself begins with prevention.
Trespass Program:
This program is a cooperation between your business and the Apopka Police Department to enable the police to trespass individuals as a representative of your organization. The City of Apopka will keep a letter on file from the property owner identifying any member of the Apopka Police Department as a person authorized to trespass individuals from the subject property. Pursuant to Florida Statute, the term "person authorized" means any owner or lessee, or his or her agent, or any law enforcement officer whose department has received written authorization from the owner or lessee, or his or her agent, to communicate an order to depart the property in the case of a threat to public safety or welfare. We have found such cooperation between this department and the property owners and their agents within in the city leads to a decrease in crime, vandalism, and litter. Such cooperation improves the quality of life of the residents of the community. If you want to be part of the program you can call Code Enforcement at 407-703-1738 or complete the department's Trespass Authorization Form.
Shop With A Cop:
This program was established to build positive relationships between police officers and the children of the community. Children that are selected for the program are taken shopping on a chosen evening in December by members of the police department, city commission, and the citizens police academy alumni association. Each child receives money to spend on Christmas gifts that were donated by various organizations within the community. Often a child will buy presents for everyone in the family, but have to be coached by the officer to purchase a present of their own. It is a very positive experience not only for the kids that are involved, but also for the officers.
Children are recommended for participation in the program by police department members, school employees, social agencies and family shelters. Anyone can nominate a child who meets the criteria of being between the ages of six and eleven and who has a social or economic need. The child must also be a resident of Apopka and not have participated in the past. Community participation is very welcome for the program. If you would like to donate your time or money to help make a child's Christmas special, or would like to nominate a child, please contact us.
National Night Out – Apopka's Night Out Against Crime:
National Night Out is a unique crime prevention annual event. All neighborhood organizations and neighborhood watch groups are encouraged to participate in this event. This program involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, neighborhood organizations, neighborhood crime watch groups, and local officials from all over the Apopka. The events are designed to: heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Along with traditional displays of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, City of Apopka neighborhoods have participated in a variety of events over the years that have included block parties, cook outs, visits from local police,fire department, and City officials, flashlight walks, contests, and youth programs. Participating in National Night Out is an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program that promotes neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our efforts in maintaining a safe community.
If you would like more information regarding these or any other crime prevention programs, please contact the department at 407-703-1771 and ask for community policing.
