Clean & Safe Program: CRA and Police Department Join Forces to Transform the Community

The City of Riviera Beach is embarking upon a new collaborative effort between the Riviera Beach Police Department and the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to address crucial quality of life issues within the CRA District through their ambitious "Clean and Safe Initiative."
This groundbreaking initiative is marked by the participation of dedicated "Clean and Safe Ambassadors" and law enforcement officers, all uniting to make a visible and lasting difference in the heart of Riviera Beach. Working tirelessly seven days a week, this dynamic team has set its sights on enhancing the CRA District, ensuring the safety and security of its residents and visitors, and beautifying the area.
Chris Lopresti, the Manager of CRA Clean and Safe, describes the project's overarching goal: "We're looking to improve the perception. We have a great waterfront city and a great police department, so our goal is to get the message out that our city is a great place to live, work, and play."
The initiative encompasses various vital areas, including the Broadway Corridor, Marina Village, Singer Island, Ocean Mall area, and portions of Riviera Beach Heights. Central to the initiative's success is the strong partnership between the CRA and the Police Department.
Lopresti highlighted the synchronicity between the two entities: "When I was assigned the position, I met Chief Coleman and we shared a lot of our history. We saw that a lot of our plans and goals for this city are aligned.”
As part of the initiative, the Police Department is allocating dedicated officers to focus specifically on this mission. Heading this significant effort is Sergeant Roosevelt Lee, a dedicated veteran of the department with 30 years of service.
Sgt. Lee, reflecting on his lifelong commitment to public service, stated, "I am always grateful for the city because they gave me the opportunity to do something I wanted to do since I was 8 years old." He will lead a team of four officers and has ambitious plans to expand the team's impact as the initiative progresses.
The team, led by Sgt. Lee, will tackle critical issues such as illegal activity, homelessness, and city beautification. The team will also serve as a conduit for sharing important information with business owners and residents in the CRA District.
Sgt. Lee emphasized the importance of community collaboration, saying, "I want to partner with the stakeholders and the community because we're only as successful as we have the community on our side. I want to create that culture to make it safe and keep it safe."
Chris Lopresti echoes the sentiment that this initiative is not just about Riviera Beach but has the potential to become a model for other cities, saying, "Our hope is that this initiative will grow and be a model for other cities."
As Riviera Beach joins hands to rejuvenate its community through the Clean and Safe Initiative, the future looks brighter, safer, and more inviting for all who call this beautiful city home.