Police Citizen Advisory Board Members Appointed
LAKELAND, FL (June 12, 2020) | The City of Lakeland and the Lakeland Police Department have selected nine community members to serve on Lakeland's newly formed Police Citizen Advisory Board. Each member of the Lakeland City Commission, City Manager Tony Delgado, and Police Chief Ruben Garcia selected a representative to serve from the applications submitted earlier this year. The new board members will be discussing new agency programs, past police/citizen interactions, and providing insight on community needs to The Lakeland Police Department and City administrators.
City Manager Tony Delgado said, "The Lakeland Police Department and the City of Lakeland are committed to working at developing this important conduit between all members of our community and the police department. The opportunity to have meaningful dialogue and building trusted interaction is the ultimate goal."
The appointed Police Citizen Advisory Board Members are:
City Manager Tony Delgado said, "The Lakeland Police Department and the City of Lakeland are committed to working at developing this important conduit between all members of our community and the police department. The opportunity to have meaningful dialogue and building trusted interaction is the ultimate goal."
The appointed Police Citizen Advisory Board Members are:
Gregg Bostick is the Director of Operations for Saddle Creek Transportation and also serves as a Polk County Early Learning Coalition Event board member.
Dr. Sallie Brisbane-Stone is the owner of Well-done Events and Compass Smart Solutions. She is involved with many civic organizations, including the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Central Florida Business Diversity Council, the Lakeland branch of the NAACP, and the Lakeland History and Culture Committee.
Gretchen Ceranic is the Children, Youth, and Families Director for the Shepherd's Community UMC. She has lived near Lakeland Linder International Airport for 18 years and is involved with Guardian Ad Litem, an organization that advocates for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Demetrius Haynes works as a Foster Care Advocate with Integrity Care and has contributed time working with the Polk County School Board as a para-substitute. He works with teenage boys in the foster care system as well as teaches theater classes at the Coleman Bush Building
Demetrius Haynes works as a Foster Care Advocate with Integrity Care and has contributed time working with the Polk County School Board as a para-substitute. He works with teenage boys in the foster care system as well as teaches theater classes at the Coleman Bush Building
James Ring is the owner of Ring Roofing, Inc. and has previously served as a Lakeland Police Sergeant. He has participated in Leadership Lakeland, Leadership Polk, and the Public Leadership Institute of Polk County, and is a graduate of the 260th Session of the FBI National Academy. Ring is also a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army Reserves.
Veronica Rountree has served in organizations such as the Neighborhood Association Coalition, Guardian Ad Litem, and served as a Chaplain, a freelance writer, and as a Certified Behavioral Health Technician. She has lived in the Valencia Heights neighborhood in North Lakeland for 24 years.
Dr. Shandale Terrell is an Educator with the Polk County School District. He has served as a Committee Member for the City of Lakeland Citizens' Advisory Budget Committee, the City of Lakeland Gang Task Force Committee, and the Polk County Sheriff's Advisory Council.
Tom Williams owns two businesses and has worked in the timber and building supply industries for over 30 years collectively. Involved with Strong Tower Church and Parker Street Ministries, he works closely with the youth in the Parker Street neighborhood and works with local homeless ministries.
Stephen Young has served as a board member of South Lakeland Baseball, and the School Advisory Council at Scott Lake Elementary. He has two locations of 7-11 convenience stores in Lakeland after serving eight years in the Marine Corps.
Chief Ruben Garcia said, "I am extremely encouraged with the new Board appointees and the diverse backgrounds and communities they represent. This Advisory Board is the next step in building partnerships throughout the city with a group of engaged citizens helping to move us all forward."
The first board meeting is expected to be held sometime during the month of July. During the initial meeting, Board Members will collectively decide on the board's goals and objectives, along with the structure for future meetings and expectations of Board Members. Additional details will be provided as they become available.