Citizen of the Year - Christie Hess

Ms. Christie Hess currently serves as the Crime Awareness Chairperson for the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association (OSHNA) and is an active member of the Evelyn City Neighborhood Watch Association. Ms. Hess has been involved with OSHNA for the past seven years and has focused her efforts to build a strong rapport between the police officers assigned to her neighborhood and the residents. She maintains daily contact with District II patrol officers regarding her neighborhood and has taken the time to educate and familiarize herself with the various City entities that work collectively to improve City neighborhoods.

Ms. Hess regularly assists other fledgling neighborhood watch groups, attending their meetings and offering guidance and support. She has initiated several meetings with the command staff of District II, making staff aware of neighborhood crime and quality of life issues.

Ms. Hess has always displayed attentiveness to the issues impacting her neighborhood and takes her role as neighborhood watch representative very seriously. She can be called upon to help in any police operation that affects her area and provides frank and critical advice of Police Department failures and successes. This type of candid, but constructive dialogue provides invaluable feedback on department operations.

Ms. Hess is approachable and supportive of our officers and has truly distinguished herself as the Tampa Police Department’s Citizen of the Year.