Palm Beach County, Florida

Lake Worth, FL, located in central Palm Beach County, has a population of approximately 35,000 residents, 40 percent of whom are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census data (2010). The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) SPI addressed the issue of robbery in Lake Worth; as well as challenges surrounding policing vulnerable immigrant communities in general, based on their inexperience with and mistrust of law enforcement agents. Key efforts included increasing police legitimacy, improving residents’ awareness of their victimization risk, and empowering residents to protect themselves and embrace crime prevention in their community. They also investigated all robberies in the immigrant community and conducted proactive patrols in the area. The research evaluation suggested that positive progress included improved relations between the police and the immigrant community, as well as a reduction in robberies.