SHERIFF S OFFICE HIGHLANDS COUNTY G ROWTH AND NEW CHALLENGES DO YOU KNOW WHAT MAY BE CROPPING UP NEXT DOOR? Quarterly Report of the VISION

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Quarterly Report of the SHERIFF S OFFICE HIGHLANDS COUNTY INTEGRITY QUALITY SERVICE PROFESSIONALISM VISION Our vision is a safer Highlands County where citizens and law enforcement are joined

MISSION The Highlands County Sheriff s Office is committed to protecting life, property, and individual rights while maintaining peace and order.

Goal 2: Enhance the safety of Highlands County roadways through enforcement and education. Goal 3: Assure accountability by effective and efficient use of personnel, equipment, and technology.

1 Quarterly Report of the SHERIFF S OFFICE HIGHLANDS COUNTY INTEGRITY QUALITY SERVICE PROFESSIONALISM VISION Our vision is a safer Highlands County where citizens and law enforcement are joined together; the rights of all persons are respected; and community values are reflected. MISSION The Highlands County Sheriff s Office is committed to protecting life, property, and individual rights while maintaining peace and order. GOALS Goal 1: Create safer neighborhoods by reducing criminal activity and conditions that foster crime and fear within the community. Goal 2: Enhance the safety of Highlands County roadways through enforcement and education. Goal 3: Assure accountability by effective and efficient use of personnel, equipment, and technology. Goal 4: Provide a professional work environment that attracts and retains a diverse group of quality applicants, rewards employee excellence, and promotes leadership through education and training. Goal 5: Assure effective Court and Detention security and services. With well managed community growth there are usually numerous positive associations. Unfortunately, with the changes in population and demographics; the criminal element comes along. In a state where vegetables and citrus are the largest cash crops, it is staggering to learn that marijuana is running a close 3rd in the business. Good economics or desirable location of a neighborhood are no longer indications of where criminal enterprise will or will not crop up and take root; rather the quiet, uneventful community is becoming a more attractive place for this illegal activity. In November of 2006, the Highlands County Sheriff s Office participated in Volume 2 Issue 4 G ROWTH AND NEW CHALLENGES DO YOU KNOW WHAT MAY BE CROPPING UP NEXT DOOR? Multi-Agency Investigation that uncovered the largest marijuana operation in the County s history. Since then, numerous other grow houses have been dismantled. According to Captain Randy LaBelle, grow houses have become popular due to the controlled growing environment that yields a higher potency. Also, the advanced air surveillance and the heavily patrolled waterways both have contributed in pushing the cultivation of this drug indoors. These criminals are coming in and buying houses that look at home in the neighborhood, doing major internal renovations, installing elaborate air condition units, generators, and lighting and then doing business as usual in our neighborhoods. According to Law Enforcement Bureau, Major Mark Schrader, In addition to dealing with the criminal element, taxpayers bear the entire burden when resources are used to find and dismantle grow houses. Citizens are being robbed economically January st Qtr by these crimes. They generate no public revenue to offset costs for fire, law enforcement, and medical responders to these activities. Although about 80% of the crop goes outside the community, the fact remains that it is going to hit the streets somewhere and the revenue generated is typically used to fund organized crime. The collateral damage from these crimes are fire, violence and increased crime, reduced property value, noxious fumes, chemicals and mold, environmental damage, and electrocution. Huge losses of energy due to theft of electricity by these criminals could potentially lead to higher energy costs to consumers due to these thieves. For more information on what to look for or to report suspicious activity, please call Special Operations at

2 Page 2 COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION RECOGNITION The Highlands County Sheriff s Office s Communications Division received acknowledgement from the FBI on a job well done regarding confirmation on Hit Notifications. A Hit Notification is a request to confirm stolen property or a missing or wanted person being entered into FCIC (Florida Crime Information Center), NCIC (National Crime Information Center), and the CJIS system (Criminal Justice Information System). Each entering agency has ten minutes to confirm that the missing or wanted person or stolen property is a valid entry, and must be able to immediately confirm the validity of the hit before an individual can be arrested, or a piece of property may be seized. Highlands County is a part of District 6, which includes Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Highlands. H. Dan Brinson of Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that our Communications Center had zero 0 errors in Hit Confirmations. Congratulations team on a great job and attention to detail! Volume 2 Issue 4 SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS/SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES Keeping with our Vision of a Safer Highlands County; we have made a long term commitment. A team from the Sheriff s Office has started working on what is being called Operation Safe Neighborhood. This project is a county-wide effort; Sheriff s Deputies working with code enforcement, building department, planning department, health department as well as neighborhood organizations, with a goal of creating safer neighborhoods by reducing criminal activity and conditions which foster crime. The initial area of concentration for this program is in the Highway Park neighborhood in Lake Placid. We are working together to empower citizens in their neighbor- hoods, reducing fear and lowering their tolerance for crime, which helps in building successful families. Kid Safe Program Coming Soon In participation with the Florida Sheriffs Association and Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the Sheriff s Office has contributed funding to the Child Identification program to supply inkless fingerprint I.D. Kits to every child in Highlands County. According to the FBI, the identification card can be a valuable tool for law enforcement in finding and identifying missing children, particularly when they have been entered into the National Crime Information Center Database. The kits are easy to use and contain step by step instructions for parents to take and store their child s fingerprints and DNA in their own home. T E C H N O L O G Y C O N T I N U E S T O WA R D I N T E G R AT I O N There are exciting things going on in the world of technology at the Highlands County Sheriff s Office. Last June, the Sheriff s Office began the use of the program Smart Cop. The Lake Placid Police Department is ready to go online and the Sebring Police Department anticipates going live by late February, In addition to the advances made with Smart Cop, the Sheriff s Office will roll out the new document imaging program by the end of January, This upgrade was totally developed in-house by the Information Technology Department. The old Application Extender System was limited by licenses wherein access was allowed by only ten users at one time, including individuals scanning new information into the system. At any given time there could be nine members scanning, which left only one space available for the entire agency. Upgrading the old system with new licenses would have cost the tax payers $140, With the new system, access to records will not be restricted by licenses, and will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Printed copies of the docu- ments from the old system were only available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, by Central Records staff, as a log of all copies made is required by policy to be kept in Central Records. The new system will have an electronic dissemination log which will keep track of all copies printed by any sheriff s office member at any time of the day. The new system is cost efficient and developed specifically for the needs of the Sheriff s Office while reducing the need for paper and complying with public records management law. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SHERIFF OFFICE TECHNOLOGY CALL

October 1, 2006 December 31, 2006 SHERIFF S OFFICE Page 3 Q UARTERLY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION & COURT SERVICES New Member Hires: Civilians 14 Sworn 6 Applications Received this Qtr.

3 October 1, 2006 December 31, 2006 SHERIFF S OFFICE Page 3 Q UARTERLY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION & COURT SERVICES New Member Hires: Civilians 14 Sworn 6 Applications Received this Qtr. 60 Applications Processed 29 Payroll Checks Processed 1,876 Payable Checks Processed 786 P-Card Purchases 766 Citizens Fingerprinted 342 Information Services Requests 417 Court Related Services: Cases In Court 8,568 Inmates Taken to Court 1,181 Arrests by Bailiffs 178 Persons thru Security Station 29,500 Pre-Trial Release Services: First Appearance Attendance 578 Pre-Trial Release 83 Inmates Referred for Treatment 19 Cost Effectiveness Savings $ 58,703 Q UARTERLY INFORMATION LAW ENFORCEMENT Computer Aided Dispatch 22,556 ( number assigned) Traffic Citations Issued 1,097 K-9 Searches 21 Judicial/Civil Process Services: Received 2,198 Served 2,198 Active 78 Calls Communications 48,829 Crime Scene Lab Cases 47 Q UARTERLY INFORMATION DETENTION Inmates Booked into Jail 1,506 Inmates Released from Jail 1,538 Instructional Program Hours 1,035 Inmate Transport Miles 36,831 Transports to State Prison 81 Transports to INS 0 Community Maint. Participants 154 (monthly average participants) Dollars Saved in Labor $74,138 Dollars Collected in Fees $7,240 Inmate Meals Served 114,120 Average Cost per Day $2.25 Inmate Farm Produce (lbs) 5,563 Investigations Assigned 351 Investigations Open 84 Investigations Closed/Inactive 267 Special Operations Investigations 67 DCF Cases 252 Narcotic Arrests by Task Force 55 Business Security Surveys 2 Neighborhood Watch Presentations 39 Crime Victims Served 135 Victim Advocate Services 480 Inmate Farm Eggs Harvested (DZ) 3,512 Alcohol Breath Tests 48 Average Daily Population 427 Net Commissary Earnings $4,324 Medical Fees Charged $232,487 Medical Fees Collected $13,386 Subsistence Fees Charged $63,502 Subsistence Fees Collected $18,934 Inmate Per-Diem Charged $13,739 Inmate Per-Diem Collected $8,931 Labor Hours by Trusties S/O 2,219 Labor Hours by Trusties 4,210 Total Dollars Saved in Labor $41,146 Public Safety Highlight CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK FEBRUARY 11 17, 2007 Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury to children, and each year almost 500 children ages 4 through 7 die, and thousands more are injured. According to the Partners for Child Passenger Safety, booster seats can substantially reduce the risk of death and injury to children through age 7, yet only 19% of children in this age group are using them. Alarmingly, most of the children in that age group are being put at increased risk of injury or death due to inappropriate restraint in adult seat belts or lack of restraint at all. The Highlands County Sheriff s Office and members of the Community Traffic Safety Team recognize this as a major area of concern in our community and are working to educate parents on Child Passenger Safety. The Sheriff s Office received grant funding for 300 car seats and a custom trailer to take this program on the road. The trailer will be outfitted with a mobile child restraint fitting station and the car seats will be offered to the public sometime in mid March. The trailer will be used for educational trainings in remote locations, day cares, local schools and public venues. For more information on car seat fitting events or to schedule an appointment once the seats arrive, contact Robyn McIntyre at

NEWS FROM THE INSIDE The award winning JASA program (Jail Alternative for Substance Abuse) was introduced into the Highlands County Jail in mid- November.

4 NEWS FROM THE INSIDE The award winning JASA program (Jail Alternative for Substance Abuse) was introduced into the Highlands County Jail in mid- November. Originating in Polk County, Florida, JASA is an intense, focused, short term solution, drug and alcohol program for qualifying Highlands County jail inmates. Charlie Nelson, counselor from Tri- County Human Services states we are excited to be here, and anticipate great results for the inmates and Highlands County. The purpose is to prepare those served by the program for a new life of sobriety when they are released, all a part of the Sheriff s Office plan to reduce the number of repeat offenders in our jail and assist in the successful reintegration into the community. For eight weeks, efforts are concentrated on (1) the physiology and nature of addiction, (2) self-esteem, (3) anger resolution and management, (4) values, beliefs, and attitude, and (5) aftercare and maintenance. All phases of the program work within the framework of the first three steps of alcoholics anonymous and include attention to the families of the incarcerated individual, job skills, and continued personal development. Tri-County has follow-up for graduates of this program through the Sebring Tri-County office and various support groups. For more information on the JASA Program and it s success and benefits, please go to the Tri-County Human Services website at CHARLIE NELSON, (left) JASA Counselor III, and MELL WILLIAMS, JR., (right) JASA Program Supervisor FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADDITIONAL HIGHLANDS COUNTY INMATE PROGRAMS PLEASE CALL (863) HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE Susan Benton, Sheriff 434 FERNLEAF AVENUE SEBRING, FL OFFICE: (863) Sign up for amber alerts on your cell

5 Highlands County Sheriff s Office C RIME PREVENTION January 2007 Insert for Volume 2, Issue 4 IS YOUR CHILD PASSENGER REALLY SAFE? In 2005, 157 children were killed in motor vehicle crashes on Florida s roadways. Of these 157 children, 117 were between the ages of 6 and 17. Using the appropriate restraint system for your child s age, height, and weight could mean the difference of life or death. All car seats and vehicle manufactures recommendations should be followed when installing a car seat. As shown in the chart below, infants should remain rear facing until 1 year of age and 20 pounds. Toddlers should be forward facing in the back seat from 20 pounds to age four and around 40 pounds. Children should remain in the back seat in a booster seat until at least age 8 unless the child is 4 9 or taller. Children ages 4 to 8 who use a booster seat are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a motor vehicle crash that those who are restrained by a safety belt only. Still only 10 to 20 percent of children 4 to 8 use booster seats. It is equally important to remember that all children ages 12 and under should ride properly restrained in the back seat. The legislature has made the use of seat belts mandatory for all persons in the front seat of vehicles and has made a seat belt violation probable cause for a traffic stop in persons less than 18 years of age. Parents who use safety belts are 92 percent more likely to properly restrain their children. Knowing how to properly use the restraints can help keep children safer. It is reported that 96 percent of parents who use car seats and safety belts to protect their children believe they are doing it correctly, however, checkups continually show that 4 out of 5 unintentionally make mistakes that could result in their child being injured or killed in a crash. The most common mistakes are: (1) loose harness straps inadequately securing the child in the child safety seat and the seat belt too loose to firmly secure the child safety seat to the vehicle, (2) placement of the child safety seat in the front seat especially behind a front air bag; (3) harness retainer (chest clip) placement other than at the armpits and moving a child to the forwardfacing position before they are at least 20 pounds and a year of age; and, (4) improper placement of the harness straps through the exit slots of the car safety seat. These should be placed at or below the shoulders while the child is in the rear-facing position, and at or above the shoulders in the forward-facing position. All children should be seated in the back seat. TYPE OF SEAT PROPER CHILD SAFETY SEAT USE INFANTS: Birth to 1 TODDLER: Older year/ at least than 1 year/ lbs. lbs. Infant only or rearfacing convertible (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Booster seats are intended to provide a platform that lifts the child up off the vehicle seat in order to improve the fit of the child in the adult safety belt. They should also position the lap belt portion of the adult safety belt across the child's hips or pelvic area. An improper fit of an adult safety belt can cause the lap belt to ride up over the stomach and the shoulder belt to cut across the neck, potentially exposing the child to serious abdominal or neck injury. Additionally, if the shoulder strap area of the lap/shoulder belt is uncomfortable, a child will likely place it behind their backs, defeating the safety benefits of the system. When children are properly restrained in a child safety seat, booster seat or safety belt, as appropriate for their age and size, their chance of being killed or seriously injured in a car crash is greatly reduced. For information on proper car seat installation, contact your local Crime Prevention Office at (863) Convertible/ forwardfacing Visit the National Crime Prevention YOUNG CHILDREN : 4-8 years old/ over 40 lbs., unless 4'9" Belt positioning booster seat SEAT POSITION Rear-facing only Forward-facing Forward-facing Harness straps at or below shoulder level. Never place infants in PROPER USE the front passenger seat of cars with air bags. Harness straps at or above shoulders. Must be used with both lap & shoulder belt. Make sure lap belt fits low & tight across lap/ upper thigh area & shoulder belt fits snug crossing the chest and shoulder.

Do you have a C.A.T.? A Crime Prevention program that will be re-introduced in 2007 is the Combat Auto Theft initiative.

Participants will receive a black and yellow sticker to place in the lower left corner of their car's rear window. This decal is easily seen by patrol deputies AND auto thieves.

This program is available for private citizens or businesses and is jointly sponsored by the Sheriff's Office and AAA Auto Club South.

6 Do you have a C.A.T.? A Crime Prevention program that will be re-introduced in 2007 is the Combat Auto Theft initiative. Vehicle owners can join this no-cost program by signing a consent form allowing deputies to stop their vehicle if it is being driven on public roadways between the hours of 1:00 A.M. 5:00AM. Participants will receive a black and yellow sticker to place in the lower left corner of their car's rear window. This decal is easily seen by patrol deputies AND auto thieves. When a patrol deputy sees a C.A.T. decal on a vehicle during the approved times, the deputy will stop the driver and ask for proof of identity and ownership. This program is available for private citizens or businesses and is jointly sponsored by the Sheriff's Office and AAA Auto Club South. In addition to being offered during health fairs and other public presentations, the C.A.T. stickers will be available on Thursdays at the Community Service Center in Lakeshore Mall. You will need to provide the vehicle registration and a photo I.D. in order to receive a C.A.T. sticker. RETAILERS BEWARE AND PREPARE The beginning of a new year; a great chance to make new resolutions, new starts, a fresh season! To get us off on the right foot, the Highlands County Sheriff s Office Crime Prevention Unit is offering a series of Retail Business Crime Prevention Seminars. These educational opportunities are free of charge and will address the topics of Recognizing Counterfeit Currency and Fraudulent Credit Cards, Retail Theft Issues and Robbery Prevention. In order to be convenient for most businesses, the seminars will begin with a reception sponsored by Steve s Cargo Express and the educational sessions will follow. Steve Slabaugh, of Steve s Cargo Express, was a vendor exhibitor at the Florida Crime Prevention Association Annual Conference in Altamonte Springs in October and was impressed by the training offered there. Both Nell Hays and Robyn McIntyre of the HCSO Crime Prevention Unit attended the training conference and felt this type of information would be vital tool against retail theft in Highlands County. The Highlands County Sheriff s Office will be presenting a Retail Business Crime Prevention Seminar in the Spring of To sign up for this educational opportunity, please call the Highlands County Sheriff s Office Crime Prevention Unit at PUBLIC WELCOME! The Suncoast Crime Prevention Association has teamed up with the Florida Regional Community Policing Institute at St. Petersburg College to present the first Sunshine State Crime Prevention Training Conference May 9-11, Training topics at the conference will include: Internet Skills and Safety, Exterior Lighting Design, Live Safe Child Safety, Security Assessments for Religious Institutions, School Security, and Community Safety. The community education sessions are free for the public. The conference will be held at the St. Petersburg Hilton and a special room rate of $88 per night is available for attendees. This is a great opportunity to learn valuable information about crime prevention in your community and enjoy a couple of days on the beach! To learn more about the conference and to register, contact Nell Hays, who has recently been re-elected Secretary of the Suncoast Crime Prevention Association and will be handling registrations for this event at or visit the website at sunshinestatecrimeprevention.com. See you there!! KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP ACTIVE CALL FOR REQUIREMENTS (863)

SHERIFF S OFFICE INTEGRITY QUALITY SERVICE PROFESSIONALISM

Quarterly Report of the HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE INTEGRITY QUALITY SERVICE PROFESSIONALISM VISION Volume 2, Issue 2 July 2006-3rd Qtr Our vision is a safer Highlands County where citizens and