Pubdate: Sun, 23 Sep 2001
Source: Palm Beach Post (FL)
Copyright: 2001 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.gopbi.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333

NEW TACTIC IN OLD 'WAR'

As a major in the Army reserves, Kelvin Bledsoe knows it takes more than 
the usual drill to drive out drug dealers. The Black on Black Crime 
Prevention Task Force coordinator for the Urban League of Palm Beach County 
correctly is building the right coalition to bring residents some relief 
from such predators.

The league's Sept. 13 announcement of the task-force project drew police 
and city officials from West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach, as well as 
Sheriff Ed Bieluch and members of State Attorney Barry Krischer's staff. 
They will provide support in targeting the corners of Seventh Street and 
Tamarind Avenue in West Palm Beach and 28th Street and Avenue S in Riviera 
Beach.

In addition, another event will take place next month in Gaines Park, 
across the street from the league's West Palm Beach headquarters. The task 
force will host a crime prevention family sports day, and is trying to 
involve all the players. Some of the groups that can help this effort 
include the Police Athletic League, the Partnership for a Drug Free 
Community and the Haitian Community Center, as well as the parks 
departments from the two cities and the county health department. More 
significant than the sports activities, free food and prizes for kids will 
be the booths offering information on everything from education to crime 
prevention.

The two intersections "are the center point for crime in" Palm Beach County 
said Darren Shull, the state attorney's chief prosecutor for auto theft 
crimes and a key task-force member. "We realize people are scared of 
retribution. But we know there are people who are very vocal about getting 
drug dealers off their streets. Law enforcement has to go in first and get 
a foothold and stop these open-air drug markets, and hopefully the 
residents will be the eyes and ears for law enforcement."

At the same time, as Mr. Bledsoe said, "if residents are going to be brave 
enough to come out and help the community to help the police, we obviously 
have to give them the help and information they need to be effective. We 
want to have an impact instead of hit and miss. A lot of times, people come 
and do one thing, and you never hear from them again. We're trying to make 
it sustained."

His association with the National Guard, which provides a very effective 
anti-drug community coalition-building course, didn't hurt. Mr. Bledsoe 
served in Somalia and Kuwait and is on call after the bombings of Sept. 11. 
"This great country gives us every opportunity," he said. Here's one to 
take advantage of.
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MAP posted-by: Beth