Community Initiatives Unit
The Community InitiativesDivision was created to help reduce crime by providing on-going educational programs to the community. These educational programs help create a level of awareness to aid people in recognizing and anticipating a crime risk, and learn how to then reduce or remove the risk. These prevention and educational programsare free to the residential and business communities, and may be customized to accommodate special interest groups. In addition to crime prevention initiatives, theDivision liaisons with police volunteer groups: Citizens on Patrol, Southlake Mounted Patrol, DPS Chaplains, and Volunteers in Policing (VIPS). Members of Community Initiatives receive specialized training in media relations and serve as DPS Public Information Officers. In addition to issuing media releases, the Division distributes crime alerts to neighborhoods and business groups, as well as posting Weekly Crime Reports on the City's website. The Community Initiatives Division is commanded by Police Lieutenant Ben Brown; questions concerning this work group may be directed to Lt.Brown at (817)748-8207.