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FORDeCputyLeaErns AnatiNonalUawaPrd S
C pl. Rob Capizzi is fighting crime by literally cleaning up the streets. residents and became instrumental in the formation of
Cpl. Capizzi has helped organize more than 50 community the Golden Gate Task Force – an innovative partnership
cleanups, abandoned property sweeps and beautification projects made up of government agencies, local organizations,
as part of his duties as a certified law enforcement officer for the Collier civic associations and Golden Gate residents. All of these

County Sheriff ’s Office. groups work together with a common goal to focus on

His efforts recently earned him national recognition. dilapidated neighborhoods,homes and properties through

Cpl. Capizzi was named 2016 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year land, canal and alleyway cleanups, graffiti abatement and

during the Keep America Beautiful national conference at the Hilton litter prevention. One of Cpl. Capizzi’s most memorable

Orlando in Lake Buena Vista on Monday, February 1. cleanups was in 2010.

“We collected over 40,000 pounds (approximately

20 tons) of trash and debris all within a four-hour

timeframe,” he said. “The results were so successful the

Board of County Commissioners of Collier County even

proclaimed April 13, 2010, as the Golden Gate Task

Force Day.’’

Whether an effort collected less than a ton or 20

tons of trash/debris/hazardous material, the task force

continues to be successful with increasing community

involvement and property values and improving the

quality of public access areas, while reducing blight which

can attract crime.

“I am ecstatic and honored to be recognized nationally,” said Cpl. Capizzi. LEFT: CPL. CAPIZZI LEADS A COMMUNITY CLEANUP AT THE CORNER OF
“It is a very rewarding feeling to be acknowledged by the community that I GOLDEN GATE PARKWAY AND 44TH STREET SOUTHWEST ON JAN. 23.
serve and support.” PHOTOS BY MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICER KRISTI LESTER/CCSO (2)

Founded in 1953, KAB is a national nonprofit organization that wants RIGHT: CPL. ROBERT CAPIZZI STANDS OUTSIDE A FORECLOSED PROPERTY
every community to be a clean, green and beautiful place to live. It has also DETERMINED TO HAVE MORE THAN $90,000 IN CODE VIOLATIONS
been the driving force in many timeless ad campaigns to educate the public DURING A DISTRESSED PROPERTY SWEEP IN GOLDEN GATE. CPL. CAPIZZI’S
on how to improve and beautify their surrounding environments. At the COMMUNITY CLEANUP EFFORTS HAVE EARNED HIM THE 2016 NATIONAL
national conference the group gives special recognition to law enforcement LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM KEEP AMERICA
professionals and other individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding BEAUTIFUL.
commitment to community service in their approaches to enforcement of
environmental laws and regulations.

KAB’s local affiliate, Keep Collier Beautiful Inc., nominated Cpl. Capizzi
for the award. The 18-year CCSO veteran is the first law enforcement officer
in Collier County to receive national recognition from KAB.

After joining the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Unit in
2003, he saw the need to educate and instill pride among Golden Gate

72 Life in Naples | March 2016