2014 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award Winners

Mr. Sutin The COPS Office is pleased to announce the Bayshore Triangle Project team as the winners of the 2014 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award. The team is composed of the East Naples COPS Unit, Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Naples, Florida:

Corporal Michael Nelson
Corporal Robert Reu
Corporal Sylee Gibson
Corporal Angela Ison
Corporal James Spartz
Corporal William Pschigoda

The community partner for this team is the Interim Director Jean Jourdan of the Bayshore/Gateway Triangle Community Redevelopment Area in Naples, Florida.

The Sutin Civic Imagination Award recognizes the efforts of collaborative partnerships within the community. This honor is bestowed upon a team of law enforcement and community members whose innovative civic interactions have transformed public safety in their community. Nominees are those actively engaged with the community in a multifaceted manner that has been sustained over time and has resulted in positive, observable public safety outcomes.

An ideal nominee

creates sustainable collaborations that are innovative, creative, and transformative;
displays civic leadership through problem solving and collaborative partnerships;
institutionalizes sustainable, positive, observable public safety outcomes;
promotes public safety through dedication to the community policing philosophy.

The East Naples COPS Unit and Bayshore/Gateway Triangle Community Redevelopment Area Interim Director Jean Jourdan formed the Bayshore Triangle Project task force to target the problems in the Bayshore area. This task force is a success especially because it took a community that was riddled with crime and struggling with disorder and transformed it into a thriving, healthy community.

The partnership formed between the East Naples COPS deputies, code enforcement, the Community Redevelopment Area, and other government and community organizations has continued to grow and strengthen. In addition, the ideas and strategies that were used in this project have been taken and used in other areas of East Naples and Collier County in order to promote community growth, build partnerships, and break down the barriers between law enforcement and the public.

The Bayshore Triangle project embodies all of the principles of the L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award.

Sustainable collaborations that are innovative, creative, and transformative

The task force, formed in 2004 by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, code enforcement, Community Redevelopment Area, fire inspector, waste management, and Naples Water Department, has continued to grow and strengthen over the years into a broad-based coalition.

Displays of civil leadership through problem solving and collaborative partnerships

The team displayed strong civil leadership by focusing on community input and problem solving to improve the community. The review committee was impressed with the innovative partnership that was formed with Elite Events to hold road and bike races to spread the word about the changes in the neighborhood.

Institutionalizes sustainable, positive, observable public safety outcomes

The project institutionalized remarkable public safety outcomes that are sustainable, positive, and observable. The review committee was impressed with the 47 percent decrease in calls for service, an increase in commercial growth, and the increase in cultural events since the start of the project. The replication that has taken place since is also remarkable.

Promotes public safety through dedication to the community policing philosophy

The team has promoted public safety through a dedication to problem solving, partnerships, and community transformation, all critical components of community policing. The review committee appreciated the shared responsibility between law enforcement and the community to respond to primary disorder in the community.

Overall, the Bayshore Triangle project has truly optimized the community policing principles by improving the quality of life and civic engagement through the creation of innovative partnerships and problem solving. For their great work and dedication to the community, the COPS Office congratulates the Bayshore Triangle Project on winning the 2014 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award!

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