Pubdate: Sun, 18 Sep 2005
Source: Stuart News, The (FL)
Copyright: 2005 E.W. Scripps Co.
Contact:  http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/stuart_news/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/612
Author: Will Greenlee, staff writer

PLAN HOPES TO HELP SECTIONS OF PORT ST.LUCIE OVERCOME BLIGHT AND DRUGS

Operation Renaissance Focuses On The Windmill Point, Parks Edge And Villas 
Of Rosewood In Port St. Lucie

PORT ST. LUCIE -- Frankie Borges says he feels like a pastor, a counselor 
and a surrogate dad.

Borges, in reality a Port St. Lucie police officer, mentioned these roles 
last week while discussing Operation Renaissance, a three-year plan 
designed to address complaints of dilapidated homes and drug activity in 
the Windmill Point, Parks Edge and Villas of Rosewood communities.

"I want these houses to improve their appearances," he said. "I want these 
kids to feel safe and to have a place to go and have sports.

"I want them to know that they have a police department that cares about 
their needs."

Borges, who joined the department in 1999, set up an office in the Windmill 
Point I clubhouse where he hopes residents will come with neighborhood 
issues, and has even established a tips line -- (772) 879- 3314 -- for 
people to call.

Borges plans to work with the property owners associations, citizens and 
the city's public works and code-enforcement departments and the city 
attorney's office to help prevent neighborhood deterioration.

Sgt. Scott Beck said the key is not allowing an "environment of 
criminality" to grow, and Borges said there are plans for Police Athletic 
League activities in the area to get kids involved in sports.

"When you have situations in which neighborhoods become blighted, in which 
pride in the neighborhood starts to falter, it breeds an element of 
criminality," Beck said. "What we're trying to do is intercede."

Beck said some rental properties have fallen in decline, fostering repeat 
calls for service and code violations. That can encourage additional rental 
properties, lower property values and a transient atmosphere.

Holly Fischer, Windmill Point I property owners association vice president, 
said she thinks Borges' presence is "terrific."

The 26-year resident said drugs are an issue and hopes the former school 
resource officer can help clean up the area.

"I'm very proud of this community," she said.

Borges said the plan will be evaluated every 90 days and that residents can 
talk with him essentially about anything.

"I was just counseling some people on their marriages not too long ago," he 
said. "Once everyone gets to know who I am then the better I can do my job 
as an officer and the better I can serve these areas."

Lynne Brown, Windmill Point I property owners association office manager, 
said officers in the past have worked in similar capacities as Borges and 
that residents seemed more at ease and willing to address neighborhood 
concerns.

"We've had a couple of things where I've had to call the police and you 
don't know the officer ... they take an interest, they're doing their job, 
but it's not like when you get to know somebody," she said. "Then they 
become your friend."
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman