Haines City Preps for Hurricanes

HAINES CITY | Police officials are asking business owners to let them know how prepared they are for hurricane season, which started Sunday.

City public-safety departments are compiling a list of businesses in town and need information such as whether a business has an emergency plan, a generator and contact numbers in case a disaster happens.

"We just want the business owners and the residents to be prepared for hurricane season," Lt. Keva Harris said. "Hopefully we will never have another hurricane season like we did in 2004, but we need to be prepared.

"If we have certain information about a business and a contact name and number, then if something happens we are better prepared to ensure public safety," she said.

Harris said the information they are seeking includes:

Do you have a generator at your business?

Do you have an emergency plan?

Will you be open in the event of a hurricane?

What services do you think would be beneficial to the community?

What services would you, as a business, be able to provide?

What are the contact names and numbers for the business?

Harris said some of the businesses may not have owners who live nearby and who may not be able to make it to their stores if a hurricane hits.

"That is why it is important for us to have contact numbers so we can get hold of someone and let them know what is going on," Harris said, adding that in 2004 several businesses downtown had windows blown out and roofs damaged.

Polk County was hit by three hurricanes in August and September that year, with Hurricane Charley, which struck Aug. 13, 2004, doing the most damage in Northeast Polk County.

Harris said she is also interested in finding out what services businesses would be able to provide during a hurricane.

"If it is a store that will be selling supplies, we need to know if they are going to be open," Harris said. "This is a way for all of us to work together to help everyone who needs it."

She said the information, such as contact numbers, will also be helpful after hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

"It will just help us provide better customer service," Harris said.

Harris is asking that all business owners in the city limits call the Police Department with the information.

She can be reached at 863-421-3636, Ext. 226.

"We will do what we can to provide for a safe and secure environment for everyone," Harris said. "Our goal is to partner with businesses and each other for the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction and taking care of the needs of the citizens of Haines City."

Harris said some businesses have already contacted her with information.

She said the department's community service officers will be going to all the businesses in the city and handing out the fliers asking for information.

"We've had a pretty good response so far, but we would like to get the information on all the businesses," she said.

[ Amber Smith can be reached at amber.smith@theledger.com or 863-422-6800. ]