Last night multiple car burglaries occurred in the Lyons Park & Garden Isles neighborhoods of Pompano Beach. All but one burglary involved unlocked vehicles but included thefts of valuable items. BSO is asking for anyone who may have information about these crimes to call 954.786.4200 or 954.493.TIPS. Remember to always secure your vehicles & remove valuables.

Additionally, BSO Deerfield Beach District have been seeing a spike in vehicle burglaries at the LA Fitness and surrounding businesses in the 1000 block of E. Hillsboro Blvd.  The suspects are smashing vehicle windows and removing property left inside.  Please remember to remove items of value from inside your vehicle and call 911 if you see suspicious activity. See video under ObserverTV.

Braylan Fleming, 11, of Deerfield Beach, throws a pass under the watchful eye of Coach Fred Davis during the 11th annual Crockett Foundation Life Skills free football camp in Pompano Beach. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Zack Crockett and his brother, Henri, were back at it again – doing what they do best. The two Blanche Ely grads, and former NFL football players, were at the 4-fields complex in Pompano Beach recently hosting their annual free football camp.

The 11th annual Crockett Foundation Life Skills free football camp in Pompano Beach attracted 500 youths ranging in age from 6 to 16 from throughout South Florida.

“We are just going to keep pressing forward and passing the torch to the young guys coming out so they see how we do it and then they keep it going,” said Zack Crockett, 38, who spent 13 years in the NFL and is now a scout for the Oakland Raiders.

“We are just trying to help the kids and let them know they have a chance to do great things, as long as they take care of the grades and let their athletic ability take care of itself.”

Youngsters took part in everything from running 40-yard dashes to obstacle courses. They were schooled in running, catching, throwing, and then Zack Crockett pulled them aside and spoke to them about the importance of school and being a role model. The day ended with a 7-on-7 tournament.

Crockett said the kids got free food, T-shirts and customized football mouth pieces provided by TAPOUT. They also had an opportunity to play video games in a truck.

Among the other athletes volunteering was Isaac Bruce, 38, who spent 16 years in the NFL for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

“We were goal-minded and one of those goals was to play in the NFL,” Bruce said. “The mentality has changed, and that is why people like Zack and Henri and Al (Harris) all come back to remind them. I think us being here gives them hope and that is an important factor. We teach them faith.”

Bruce said their main focus is to make sure they become productive citizens.

“I think it is a no-brainer for us to be here because we know we are doing this for the kids,” Bruce added. “We want to try and build character. We didn’t have anything like this when I was growing up, not to this extent. We did have guys from the Dolphins, who would come and talk to us at the high schools sometimes, but, here, we get their full attention. They get our full attention.”

Henri Crockett, 36, a 1992 Ely grad, said they have contributed more than $500,000 to the community through their foundation, although they have only been able to generate about $40,000 in contributions. They have two reading centers for local youths. Crockett said their mother, Sylvia Ann Hall, instilled good family values.

They will also host the 3rd Annual Family and Health Community Festival this Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pompano Citi Center, 1955 N. Federal Hwy. in Pompano Beach.

“We have fun each and every year,” Zack Crockett said. “The kids learn and they see different guys each year. The message we keep giving these kids is obviously working because they listen and they keep coming back.”

For more information visit their website at www.crockettfoundation.org.

Photo courtesy of A&E TV - a scene from the TV show the Glades

The NE 14th St. Causeway Bridge in Pompano Beach will be closed by the Florida Department of Transportation to all vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles from 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 14th, to 7:00 a.m. Saturday, July 15th for filming of The Glades television show.

Also, the bridge will not open for boats from 9:00 a.m. Friday, until 5:00 a.m. Saturday. 

Please seek alternate routes at the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge to the south or Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge to the north.

Originally, “The Glades” was slated to film July 7th and 8th, but had a last minute change due to the weather.

Deerfield Beach

Main Beach Parking, Ocean Way & SE 1 St. , Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free concerts all day and a variety of food vendors. Smuggling YoYos – 1-3 p.m., Scott Ringerson, “The Elvis Experience” – 4-6 p.m., The David Ray Band – 7-9 p.m. Fireworks (off the pier) – 9 p.m. Free shuttle available – between The Cove and the beach 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. 954-480-4430.

Road and facility Closures

International Fishing Pier closes at noon, July 3, reopens 5 a.m., July 5. Ocean Way from Hillsboro Boulevard to SE 3 Street closes 6 a.m. July 4,  reopens morning of July 5. Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge and A1A, from NE 1 Street to SE 3 Street, will be closed to traffic 6-11 p.m. July 4. www.Deerfield-Beach.com or call 954-480-4430.

Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach Main Public Beach

222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL  33062

FREE. Fireworks – 9 p.m. Blankets/chairs welcome. Refrain from bringing fireworks, glass containers, alcohol or pets. NE 14 Street Causeway and Atlantic Boulevard bridges will be in the “down” position from 9 to 11 p.m.  954-786-4111.

Rocketown celebrates 4th

371 S. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Teens celebrate! Concert-6:30 p.m. Group 1 Crew performing with Authentik, Twenty 2 G Crew and other Christian rock/ hip hop music. $12 before, $15 at door. 954-786-1116. www.rocketownfl.com.

Boca Raton

Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431

FREE. 4 p.m. — “1940s Radio Hour,” University Theatre on campus. 6 p.m.—family-friendly activities. 7:30 p.m. – Florida Wind Symphony plays patriotic tunes. 9 p.m. – Fireworks. Bring blankets or chairs. Food and beverage vendors on site. Bring canned or non-perishible food item to help Operation Food Bank. 561-393-7827.

Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are looking for a man who tried to rob an IHOP restaurant in Pompano shortly after 1 a.m. today. There is no surveillance video, but the man had a distinctive sleeve tattoo of flames that covered his entire right arm. He carried a rifle and demanded money from employees but then left before taking the money. T Any member of the public with knowledge about the crime or the criminal can report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Broward County, which will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. That number is 954-493-TIPS (8477).

BSO’s Pompano Beach District is starting a Law Enforcement Explorer Program for youths between the ages of 14-18 years of age who are interested in a career in law enforcement. Explorers are afforded a unique opportunity to learn the different aspects of our agency, including hands on training and practices of our deputies .Applications will be excepted during their open house on Tuesday, June 14, from 6:00-7:00 pm at the District Office (located at 100 S.W. 3 Street Pompano Beach). For more information, contact Sgt. Wargin at 954-786-4201.

Pompano Beach Library, located at 1213 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, is currently closed due to flooding caused by a malfunctioning air conditioning unit. It is anticipated that the library will reopen on Monday, June 6, provided necessary repairs are completed.

Other nearby Broward County Library locations include:
• Beach Library, 221 Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach, 954-786-2197: Open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Saturdays.

• Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library, 2800 N.W. Ninth Court, Pompano Beach, 954-968-3820: Open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Saturdays.

• North Regional/Broward College Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., 954-201-2600: Open Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Northwest Library, 1580 N.W. Third Ave., Pompano Beach, 954-786-2186: Closed Fridays; open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Customers are also encouraged to visit the Broward County Library Web site, www.broward.org/library to find information on other library locations; to check out, place holds on and renew materials; check the status of their library account; and gain access to the library catalog, specialized databases, event calendars and more.

The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is pleased to announce the Grand Opening celebration of the Pompano Beach CRA Business Resource Center located at 50 NE 1st Street, on Tuesday, May 31st from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

In 2010, through the dynamic economic development vision of the Pompano Beach CRA, the Pompano Beach CRA Business Resource Center was born. This 2,234 square foot facility located in Old Pompano has been newly renovated to house the Microenterprise Business Loan Fund Program, along with the Business Incubator and the Job Placement Center, the latest programs supported by the CRA. International Enterprise Development, Inc. (IED) has been contracted to create, develop, administer and operate these additional programs as well.

The Microenterprise Business Loan Fund Program offers training workshops, one-to-one technical assistance, business support, loan application, loan approval process, loan disbursements and collections and on-going business monitoring. This program has been successfully operating since 2006 and over $500,000 in micro loans have been approved and disbursed in the community. The Business Incubator
provides an opportunity for the next step of growth for micro and small businesses, offering seven private offices with business services, such as marketing, bookkeeping, business coaching and office space for client meetings as well as use of office equipment at a very reasonable rate.

Micro/small businesses can also have the opportunity to take advantage of this new facility, in a virtual way. Training will be offered to incubator businesses and on-site staff will be there to assist. The Job Placement Center will focus on providing links to the people of Pompano Beach to job opportunities through the creation of partnerships, training, education and individual support.

The Grand Opening event will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Plaques will be given to Florida Shores Bank for its generous support of the Center and to Mr. Stephen Cohen of Regent Bank in appreciation for his years of leadership as the Chairman of the NW Pompano Beach CRA Microenterprise Business Loan Fund Loan Committee. A plaque will also be hung in the center to recognize the Pompano Beach CRA Board, the NW Advisory Committee, Florida Shores Bank, Regent Bank, Comerica Bank, SunTrust Bank, Bank Atlantic, PNC Bank and Metro Broward Economic Development Corp. for all of their dedication and support to economic development in Pompano Beach.

For more information, call 954-786-7867.

A man believed to be homeless was struck and killed by a commuter train late Monday morning in Pompano Beach.

Just before 10:30 a.m., a northbound Tri-Rail train was approaching Hammondville Road when a pedestrian trespasser was walking westbound towards the tracks and stopped right in the path of the oncoming Tri-Rail train, about 500 feet south of Hammondville Road. The train, traveling at 79 miles per hour, struck the pedestrian, instantly killing him. The engineer stopped the train after the impact, approximately 2,000 feet north of the Hammondville Road crossing.

The train had 127 passengers and two crewmen on board at the time of the incident. Both rails were shut down well into the afternoon while BSO Crime Scene Unit detectives processed the scene, which was almost ½ mile-long. Rail traffic has since resumed, in time for the afternoon commute.

Broward Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives are conducting the investigation.

The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for Streetscape Improvements to East Atlantic Boulevard between AIA and Pompano Beach Boulevard on April 27.

This is the first shovel in the ground project in the East CRA District. Planned improvements include reconfigured street lanes, wider sidewalks for outside dining and improved landscaping, according to Sandra King, spokesperson for Pompano Beach.

Construction will officially begin on May 2.

During the ceremony, Mayor Lamar Fisher said, “This has been a long journey. Now we can celebrate that a vision has become a reality and that dreams do come true.”