Quarterly Report of the HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE INTEGRITY QUALITY SERVICE PROFESSIONALISM Sheriff Susan Benton Volume 4 Issue 4 VISION January 2009-4 Qtr Our vision is a safer High- S H E R I F F S O F F I C E S T R A T E G I C P L A N N I N G M E E T I N G lands County where citizens S OUTH F LORIDA C OMMUNITY C OLLEGE -U NIVERSITY C ENTER and law enforcement are F RIDAY, F EBRUARY 20, 2009 / 9:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. joined together; the rights of all persons are respected; and What is Strategic Planning? Does It Make A Difference? community values are reflected. Please join us on as we start another four year term, planning for the future. As 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. you know your Sheriff s Office has lead community strategic planning sessions for the past four years and by your direction have made tremendous progress improving the status of the agency and the delivery of services. Be a part of the future, help us define our community values, identify critical services and prioritize budgetary allocations. Over the past four years, holding ourselves accountable to your plan, we have completed 96 objectives of the 105 outlined in the 2006-2009 plan. Objectives incomplete are in part due to outside funding issues or other agency implementation delays, however, the current plan runs through September 2009. PROPOSED AGENDA: 1. Welcome 3. Introductions Goal 2: 5. Highlights: 4 Years of Plan Accomplishment Enhance the safety of Highlands County roadways through en- 7. Outlining Future Goals 10. Adjourn forcement and education. Objectives 30/Completed 30 Objectives 16/Completed 15 Goal 3: Assure accountability by effective and efficient use of personnel, equipment, and technology. Objectives 37/Completed 32 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. Objectives 12/Completed 9 Goal 5: Assure effective Judicial and Detention processes and services. Objectives 10/Completed 10 2. 4. 6. 8. Pray and Pledge Historical Overview Restating the Vision, Mission, Values Setting the Priorities G O V E R N O R S O F F I C E A N N O U N C E S E - 9 11 G R A N T A WA R D F O R N E W F A C I L I T Y E Q U I P M E N T The Governor s Office notified Highlands County Sheriff s Office that the 6 million dollar E-911 disbursements were issued for the 3rd quarter. Highlands County received $560,776.98 to complete 911 system consolidation. This funding request by Highlands County Sheriff s Office through the Board of County Commissioners is the second request for equipment. The first $400,000 was used to upgrade existing equipment, the second will be used to purchase the needed 911 equipment for the proposed new Law Enforcement Facility. The grant will pay for the enhanced 911 system and furniture stations along with the advanced training on the equipment. As the County progresses in the building process, there will be information on other equipment and building needs to submit additional grants for appropriations for Homeland Security and Emergency funding consideration. Commissioner Edgar Stokes Deputy J.P. Fane
Page 2 Highlands County Sheriff s Office Hosts Audit Conference Highlands County Sheriff's Office will host a training conference presented by the International Law Enforcement Auditors Association the week of February 16-19, 2009. The training is geared to encourage the professional development and increased knowledge of the auditing profession directly related to law enforcement operations and property evidence management. The conference is offered to both sworn and civilian personnel. This class will provide attendees with audit/inspections techniques that have been successfully used to reduce law enforcement agency liability, crime statistics, operational cost, and significantly improve legal compliance. The conference attendees include county and city law enforcement staff, along with county and clerk personnel and out of county Sheriff s agencies. Anyone interested in attending should contact Lisa Burley, Chief of Staff, Highlands County Sheriff s Office at 863-402-7311. Visit: www.ileaa.org D RUG FREE HIGHLANDS AND SHERIFF S OFFICE P RESENT BE THE WALL Drug Free Highlands, a community coalition, is launching a multi-media campaign intended to encourage and support parents, retailers, and community members in their efforts to help prevent teens from drinking. Over the next year, the Drug Free Highlands in partnership with the Board of County Commissioners, Department of Juvenile Justice, Heartland Education Consortium, Heartland Workforce, Highlands County Health Department, Highlands County School Board, S.A.D.D. Chapters from Avon Park, Lake Placid, and Sebring High Schools, Highlands County Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer Remember loved ones lost to the disease Fight back against a disease that takes too much This is the theme for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life community campaigns throughout the nation. Recognizing that one person can make a difference, nowhere is it more evident than the efforts of communities and agencies that make a personal commitment to raise money to fight for the cure by doing something that people enjoy. Along with various other fundraisers such as yard and bake sales and a bike rally that netted more than $1,500 this past year, the most recent was a dual county softball event. Over a three game span, Highlands County Sheriff s Office Detention and Law Enforcement teamed up to play each other and two games of Hardee VS Highlands County Sheriff s Offices Relay for Life games that netted more than $3,400. Highlands pulled off two wins over Hardee County Volume 4 Issue 4 Sheriff s Office, the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, YMCA, and Youth for Christ, will ask the community to Be The Wall between teens and alcohol. The simply stated campaign is designed on the premise that while alcohol may be the primary substance of choice for teens across the state and country, underage drinking should be the single most preventable at risk behavior among our teenagers. Debbie Lees, Substance Abuse Reduction Coordinator, states, Underage drinking comes down to access if our teens cannot get their hands on it, they cannot use it. We are asking all community members to help us limit access to alcohol for teens once and for all. Debbie Lees is a member of the Highlands County Sheriff s Office and be contacted at 863-385- 0024. Take the Pledge, visit our website, www.highlandssheriff.org S HERIFF S OFFICES TEAMS-UP FOR RELAY FOR LIFE while Highlands Law Enforcement scored over Detention in a friendly competition. Pictured above are Hardee and Highlands Sheriff s Lanier and Benton: below is the Highlands County Sheriff s Office team.
October 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008 Q UARTERLY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION & COURT SERVICES SHERIFF S OFFICE New Member Hires: Civilians Sworn Applications Received this Qtr. Applications Processed Payroll Checks Processed Payable Checks Processed P-Card Purchases Citizens Fingerprinted Information Services Requests Administrative Calls 911 Calls Computer Aided Dispatch HCSO SPD LPPD APPD FIRE EMS Offense Reports Traffic Citations Issued K-9 Searches Warrant Numbers: Received/Processed Served Active Number of Arrests By Patrol 4 2 67 2 2,185 751 698 480 653 QUARTERLY INFORMATION LAW ENFORCEMENT 40,683 10,544 30,952 19,039 5,473 1,539 5,160 1,701 3,200 2,084 1,022 24 758 638 4,496 732 Court Related Services: Cases In Court Inmates Taken to Court Arrests by Bailiffs Persons thru Security Station Pre-Trial Release Services: First Appearance Attendance Pre-Trial Release Inmates Referred for Treatment Cost Effectiveness Savings Number of DUIs Items into Evidence (Quarter) Judicial/Civil Process Services: Received/Processed Served Active Crime Scene Lab Cases Criminal Investigation Unit Cases (Quarter) Investigations Open (Total) Special Investigations Unit Cases SIU Narcotic Arrests SVU Cases Received from DCF SVU Cases Open Business Security Surveys Neighborhood Watch Presentations Crime Victims Served Victim Advocate Services Page 3 6,943 1,084 101 38,251 576 97 26 $77,597 28 2,385 2,102 2,031 71 87 137 149 59 29 333 37 1 39 107 356 Inmates Booked into Jail Inmates Released from Jail Instructional Program Hours Inmate Transport Miles Transports to State Prison ICE Picked Up Detainee's Placed CMP Participants Dollars Saved in Labor Dollars Collected in Fees Inmate Meals Served Average Cost per Day Per Inmate Inmate Farm Produce (lbs) Q UARTERLY INFORMATION DETENTION 1,579 1,557 2,629 32,839 81 44 30 75 $50,769 $4,715 120,594 $1.47 8,669 Inmate Farm Eggs Harvested (doz) Alcohol Breath Tests Average Daily Population Net Commissary Earnings Medical Fees Charged Medical Fees Collected Subsistence Fees Charged Subsistence Fees Collected Inmate Per-Diem Charged Inmate Per-Diem Collected Labor Hours by Trusties S/O Labor Hours by Trusties Other Dollars Saved in Labor 3,857 62 435 $6,254 $161,278 $14,290 $61,402 $18,811 $12,341 $7,566 30,023 4,775 $236,278
Sheriff s Office Applies for State Corrections Accreditation Following the successful attainment of full professional accreditation status from the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation last year, where the agency complied with over 250 professional law enforcement and operational standards, the agency has applied this month for Detention Accreditation. This process facilitates the evaluation of corrections operations against the commission's strict standards, a process that helps agency staff identify and remedy deficiencies while upgrading the overall quality of correctional programs and services. The process takes about 18 months to review and evaluate policy and operations prior to the on-site inspection. Once accredited, assessors return every three years to verify the Sheriff's Office Correctional facility has remained in compliance with commission standards. Currently, there are approximately 237 addressing all aspects of corrections services including admission, classification, housing, security, fiscal business activity, personnel issues, and training and medical services. Benefits of accreditation is overall improved management of the facility which strengthens the facility s defense against potential lawsuits and complaints through adoption and continued adherence to sound operating practice, increased accountability, a safer environment for personnel and inmates, and establishment of measurable criteria for upgrading programs, personnel and physical plant. HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE Susan Benton, Sheriff 434 FERNLEAF AVENUE SEBRING, FL 33870 OFFICE: (863) 402-7200 Visit Drugfreehighlands@yahoo.com
Highlands County Sheriff s Office C RIME PREVENTION Insert for Volume 3, Issue 4 Tough Economic Times Give Rise To Scams Everywhere you look there is reference to the tough economic times that are upon us, and Highlands County is no exception. With the large number of senior citizens on fixed incomes in our population, rising costs of living do not keep up with increases in Medicare and other retirement income sources. In addition, young people with families are encountering a slim job market and low paying positions. Historically this combination will give rise to increases in frauds and scams as well as unscrupulous business practices. Do not become a victim of these frauds! It is very important that everyone be aware of get rich quick schemes that surface at times like these. Frauds and scams are frequently targeted at senior citizens who are seen as unsuspecting and trusting. The Crime Prevention Unit is committed to educating the public about current frauds and scams that can rob people of not only their money but their identities and their good credit ratings. One of the most recent scams involves a caller saying that your checking account number has been posted on the internet. The caller goes on to request you give your account number over the phone so that it can be verified. Of course this is just a scam to get your account number. If you have genuine concerns about your banking information, call your bank and check on the status of your accounts. Please remember DO NOT give out any personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and you are certain how this information is going to be used. We have received several pieces of mail that have been received by Highlands County residents with checks enclosed. No, our residents are not getting rich! These checks are fraudulent. In most cases the counterfeit check is over-payment for goods sold and the targeted person is asked to send money back to the scammer. Of course, when the check turns out to be invalid, the victim is out the over payment amount and sometimes also missing the goods sold. Other cases we have seen involve prize money, however the intended victim is required to send their banking account information to the scammer so that the funds can be deposited. Of course funds are not deposited but instead withdrawn! Please keep in mind the old adage if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Do not become a victim of these frauds! If you think you may have fallen prey, please call your local law enforcement agency and file a report. Business scams are also prevalent this time of year. Neighboring counties have re- ported bands of gypsies targeting their residents. These people usually travel in groups and go door-to-door offering to perform (most often) home repair services. Payment is usually required before any services are rendered, with the excuse that the workers need the money to purchase the materials needed for the work. Unfortunately the workers do not return to do the job, or if they do return, the workmanship is poor and the materials are substandard. It has also been reported that the workers become agitated if their services are not used. If you have been approached by individuals fitting this description, or if you have fallen victim to this type of business practice, please call your local law enforcement agency and file a report. By notifying law enforcement of these occurrences, we can be more vigilant for this type of activity and hopefully can keep someone else from harm. If you have work to be done around your home, please use bona fide contractors or home improvement firms. For more information on these businesses you may contact your local Chamber of Commerce, the Highlands County Builders Association or the Better Business Bureau. On Neighborhood Watch Programs call: Crime Prevention Specialist Nell Hays at 385-0024
New Neighborhood Watch Groups The first quarter of fiscal 2008-2009 has been a record one for new Neighborhood Watch groups! No less than seven neighborhoods have contacted the Crime Prevention Unit and are in some stage of development at this time. Residents in Orangewood Acres (Avon Park), The Bluffs (Sebring), Placid Lakes (Lake Placid), Lakeside Village (Lake Placid), and Meadowlake (Lake Placid) have completed the three meeting process and have achieved official Neighborhood Watch status. Groups in Tropical Harbor (Lake Placid) and Brighton Road (Sebring) are in the development stages but should be official by the end of this quarter. Many thanks to the Neighborhood Watch Chairpersons that have taken the initiative to develop this program in their respective neighborhoods. Vehicle Burglaries Still A Challenge Neighborhood Watch Chairman Orangewood Acres Gary French The Bluffs Mike Streppone Placid Lakes Sam Bliss Lakeside Village Ray Plough Meadowlake Vera Tharp Tropical Harbor Wendell Hagg Brighton Road Sylvia Beeks For more information on how to form a Neighborhood Watch group, contact Crime Prevention Specialist Nell Hays at 385-0024 (Lakeshore Mall Office) The burglary of vehicles in residential neighborhoods in Highlands County remains a problem. In most of these cases the cars targeted have been parked in driveways of homes and there has been no sign of forced entry to the vehicle. This leads deputies to believe the perpetrators may have simply been on a fishing expedition. Not to be confused with pfishing which is a term that refers to personal information scams on the internet, this mode of operation relates to car burglary and consists of the criminals simply wandering through the neighborhood and trying car doors at random. When an unlocked vehicle is discovered, the criminals proceed to help themselves to whatever they want! There are two basic concepts to keep in mind regarding your vehicle when it is parked in the driveway of your home. The first and most important thing to remember is to remove any valuable items from your vehicle when you go into your home. Second, lock your vehicle! If the thief must break glass to gain entry to your car, there is the potential that someone will hear the break in and notice the crime in progress. While this is no guarantee that your car will not be burglarized, it becomes a less desirable target, therefore minimizing your chances of being victimized. Taking these two simple steps can reduce the chance that you will be a victim of vehicle burglary. Citizens are also urged to call law enforcement if they observe anything out of the ordinary in their neighborhood. As a resident, you are the best person to spot suspicious activity in your own neighborhood. Please give us a call at 402-7200 if you observe anyone unusual in your area. Crime Prevention Programs Available The Crime Prevention Unit routinely presents programs on various topics relating to keeping the citizens of our community safe. Topics include but are not limited to the following: Identity Theft, Frauds and Scams, Prescription and Over the Counter Drug Abuse Prevention, Live Safe (Child Abduction Prevention for Adults), Internet Safety Protecting Yourself and Your Children From Predators, Protecting Your Identity on the Internet, Basic Crime Prevention, Personal Safety and Residential Security. There are also topics relating to the business community such as Shoplifting Prevention, Bank Robbery Prevention and Commercial Security. To schedule a speaker, simply call the Highlands County Sheriff s Office Community Service Center at 385-0024. We look forward to hearing from you!