Iwant to thank the many readers that e-mailed me in reference to my budget and I truly appreciate your e-mails. I know that somehow, we will continue our efforts in servicing our community because we cannot allow the criminals to take over.

As for our Youth Crime Watch program being reinstated, by a resolution brought forth by school board member Perla Tabares Hantman, voted by the entire board, I spoke to soon and as of this writing its not being fully funded as of yet -- but they are trying.

Last month, I mentioned that October was Crime Prevention Month and we would be teaming up with the National Crime Prevention Council, the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Sheriffs' Association in Celebrate Safe Communities, a new initiative designed to bring law enforcement and residents together.

Well, we certainly did our part here in Miami-Dade and I would like to recognize those crime watch groups and communities that held block parties, safety events, Halloween parties, and held marches around their neighborhoods.

I am proud to say that once again Miami-Dade had the most participation in the state.

Congratulations to the following Crime Watch groups: Hacienda Estates, Park Place Villas, Courts of Birdwood, Schenley Park, SW 14th Terrace Vigilance, The Waterways with the Miami-Dade Police Midwest District; Ms. Annie Ross with the Miami-Dade Police Northside District; Old Cutler Village Apartments and Jordan Common with the Miami-Dade Police South District; Rev. Robert Moss of Ives Estate NE 15th Avenue Crime Watch with the Miami-Dade Police Intracoastal District; Valencia Estates with the Miami-Dade Police Hammocks District; the Miami-Dade Police Kendall District with an Open House event on Halloween.

The Pentab, Norwood, Scott Lake and Brentwood Crime Watch groups also held an event in Miami Gardens.

The municipalities that participated with several safety events: Palmetto Bay, Aventura, Miami Springs, Miami Lakes and South Miami with the Shops of Sunset Place, which held a huge event for its shoppers.

A couple weeks ago, I attended the 40th Florida Crime Prevention Conference, where I did a workshop on ``Neighborhood Watch in Multicultural Communities.'' There were 50 law enforcement officers and crime prevention practitioners from around the state, including two from Canada who wanted to know about our Neighborhood Watch program.

Also at the conference, they selected Sgt. Joe Bermudez, Miami-Dade Police and president of the Southeast Florida Crime Prevention Association as the winner for Outstanding Association of the Year 2009.

In closing, I would like to wish Director Robert Parker a blessed retirement. He will be missed. Parker was a strong advocate of Neighborhood Watch and was a member of our executive board. I look forward to assisting interim Director James Loftus.

Carmen Caldwell is executive director of the Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade. Send feedback and news for this column to her at carmen@

citizenscrimewatch.com, or call her, 305-470-1670.

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