TPD starts summer community outreach

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Tampa Police Lt. Randy Peters patrols the town he grew up in.

In the past, as summer temperatures went up, so did the number of crimes but Peters believes police are bucking the trend.

"Because we have a better relationship with the kids," he explained.

Uniformed TPD officers spend time at neighborhood recreation centers and crime prevention specialists like Zalavia Brown talk to children about bullying and safety.

"You can always come talk to us, whether we're in a civilian capacity or a law enforcement capacity. We're teaching them to see us in a different way," says Brown, who was in the first Mayor's Youth Corp in 2004.

The mayor and police chief believe community policing is paying off.  

"We want people to know that we understand your problem and we're here to help," says Peters.