Quarterly Report of the HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE 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. Goal 1: Create safer neighborhoods by reducing criminal activity and conditions that foster crime and fear within the community. Goal 2: Enhance vehicular and pedestrian safety of Highlands County roadways through education and enforcement. 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 Judicial and Detention processes and services. Volume 6 Issue 4 According to a report by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), based on miles driven, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. With such staggering statistics, it is time we equip our young drivers with more of the pertinent information and skills they need to be safe automobile operators. At 16 years old, young adults are afforded the opportunity to have independent driving privileges by attaining their driver s license. However, there is little or no formal training done as a precursor to obtaining a license to drive. The unpreparedness of our young drivers is the exact reason for the creation of the Teen Driver Challenge. At the beginning of their driving experience most young adults have not had many encounters with bad weather, changing terrains or hazardous situations to know how to properly react. In the event of such a situation many would not have the right tools or preparation to turn a potentially hazardous situation around. Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death amongst teenagers. With that being said, Florida rates highest in Sheriff Susan Benton fatal crashes of those age 15 19 in the nation. Inexperience behind the wheel, one of the most noted reasons for high fatality rates, is the target of the Teen Driver Challenge. The purpose of the course is to provide knowledge and hands-on experience to reduce the likeliness of an accident for teenage drivers. Students will learn techniques, life saving skills and basic information about the operation of a motor vehicle. The class consists of two days totaling 12 hours of training: 4 hours in the classroom and 8 hours performing actual vehicle operations. Students will use their personal vehicles in the operations portion of the course to better familiarize themselves with the nuances of the vehicle they operate on a daily basis. The entire course will be administered by specially certified law enforcement officers to ensure the safety of the January 2011-4th Qtr S HERIFF S OFFICE INITIATES TEEN DRIVER CHALLENGE students and the caliber of the information presented. Upon completion of the course each student will receive a certificate of completion. This may possibly be used to obtain a premium reduction from their auto insurance company. Future, classes have been scheduled through the end of the year. The Highlands County Sheriff's Office Teen Driver Program is now one of 32 Sheriff s Offices across the state who has initiated such a program in hopes of keeping our young adults safe. With lesson plans developed by the Florida Sheriff s Association and input derived from Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Department of Transportation the course is sure to be a success. For more information on this program or to attend contact our Training Coordinator, Deputy Sheriff Joe Noto, at the Highlands County S h e r i f f ' s O f f i c e a t 863-402-7350. First Class of Teen Drivers Take on the Challenge
Page 2 Volume 6 Issue 4 Sheriff Susan Benton Appointed to Two Prominent Commissions Sheriff Benton was recently appointed to two prominent l a w e n f o r c e m e n t commissions. Exiting Governor Charlie Crist appointed Sheriff Benton to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and the Florida Sheriff s Association made the nomination for her placement on the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation. The CJSTC has the undertaking of ensuring all citizens of Florida are served by ethical, qualified, and well trained criminal justice officers. They are tasked with establishing minimum uniform standards for the employment and training of full time, part time and auxiliary law enforcement, correction and correctional probation officers. While the CFA is in place to establish uniform law enforcement general standards throughout the state of Florida and develop clear, workable and practical standards. The accreditation commission promotes confidence in the goals, policies and practices of the law enforcement agency and to implement a program in Florida that ascertain standards for accreditation without making it unaffordable for agencies to reach national accreditation status. Sheriff Benton s participation epitomizes her dedication to our vision of a safer Highlands County for all. The Highlands County Sheriff s Office Detention Facility began their quest toward accreditation in January of 2009. During these last two years the detention staff has worked hard to review all policies and procedures to bring them up to standards in preparation for the review of our facility to be nominated for accreditation. This review began the week of September 28, 2010 with a Mock Assessment as a precursor to the official assessment in December. The purpose of this three day Mock Assessment was to have certified assessors from within the State of Florida come and assist the Detention Facility in their efforts to become accredited. This pre-assessment was to ensure the Detention Facility was ready for the final assessment administered by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission s On-Site Assessment to follow. The job of the assessors was to review policies, procedures, and proof of daily practices, as well as visit several areas within the Detention Facility. The assessors then left us Detention Facility Attains Accreditation with their recommendations for improvement for the upcoming On-Site Assessment. On November 30, 2010, the Highlands County Sheriff s Office Detention Facility welcomed the On-Site assessors to our agency for the beginning of the three day accreditation assessment. During this On-Site Assessment all aspects of our agency s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services were reviewed. Not only did the assessors conduct the administrative review of policies and procedures, they inspected and tested facility equipment to confirm proper operation and interviewed members and inmates. Our Accreditation Team and Detention members were well prepared for the On-Site Assessment and responded with ease to inquiries of the assessors. At the end of the three day assessment period the assessor s closing comments were very complimentary of our efforts and provided us with verbal confirmation of their intent to provide a favorable recommendation to the Accreditation Commission for our accreditation attainment. The official confirmation of the assessment team s recommendation to the Commission will be administered in a written report to the commission. However, the members of the commission have the final word in granting our Detention Facility with its accredited designation. With the On-Site assessment complete, next for our agency to conclude this process is to appear before the commission for a panel review to allow the commissioners to interview our members regarding the On-Site findings or agency operations. The Chair of the commission then has the duty to make a motion to the full commission regarding our agency s accreditation status. If our agency is granted accreditation status the Commission will present a certificate to our agency at their commission meeting during the first week of February. Special Response Team Constructs Obstacle Course for Training Obstacle course training for tactical teams, like the Sheriff s Office Special Response Team, is designed to benefit physical preparedness. This applies to the job at hand, as well as functional fitness tasks designed to enhance capabilities and readiness for specific advanced movements that might arise. The new obstacle course contains a series of nineteen apparatuses, that include: the weaver serpentine, rope climb, over / under, attic climb, belly buster, wall climb, A frame tower climb, hand over hand, parallel bars, 45 degree climb over, cargo net climb, balance beam, tower climb, rappel wall, water pit traverse, pipe traverse, rope traverse, high step and army crawl. This obstacle course, like many of its kind, w i l l provide a means for our law enforcement members to enhance their readiness capabilities. The use of such a course is aimed at increasing stamina from both an endurance and strength building standpoint to better serve the community. The newly constructed Obstacle Course will serve as an integral training mechanism for the Sheriff s Office Special Response Team.
SHERIFF S OFFICE October 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010 Page 3 QUARTERLY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION & COURT 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 1 4 78 73 2,435 634 582 386 401 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 Cases Inmates Referred for Treatment Cost Effectiveness Savings QUARTERLY INFORMATION LAW ENFORCEMENT 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 Inmates Booked into Jail Inmates Released from Jail Instructional Program Hours Inmate Transport Miles Transports to State Prison ICE Picked Up Detainer'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) 44,748 10,765 35,330 18,072 4,177 1,701 6,361 1,587 3,432 2,084 745 183 823 637 3824 555 Number of DUI s Items into Evidence Evidence Items Disposed Judicial/Civil Process Services: Received/Processed Served Active Crime Scene Lab Cases Criminal Investigation Unit Cases 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 QUARTERLY INFORMATION DETENTION 1,447 1,340 1,949 24,694 55 30 35 61 $45,646 $3,935 104,625 $1.62 2,961 Alcohol Breath Tests Average Daily Population Staff Meals Purchased 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 7353 1145 104 35,926 482 149 16 $104,547 14 2,087 3,396 2,185 2,093 92 104 272 147 77 53 421 32 0 14 138 627 24 393 $7,664 $4,640 $120,652 $9,966 $54,130 $12,670 $22,658 $10,197 30,722 4,417 $254,757 Cyberbullying: The New Age of Bullying Technology is all around us and high speed internet access is available virtually everywhere. It is a great means of keeping contact with loved ones, searching for information and staying informed of current events. However, with great accessibility comes the prevalence of misuse. With the advancement of everything around us comes the evolution of something that used to only happen in person: bullying. Due to its prevalence and availability, cyberspace has become home to a new breed of bullying known as cyberbullying. This new type of bullying uses the internet, cell phones or other technology to send or post messages intended to hurt or embarrass the another person. According to the National Crime Prevention Council s website, 43% of teens have been victims of cyberbullying in the last year, 81% of youth said that others cyberbully because they think it s funny and only 11 % of teens talked to parents about incidents of cyberbullying. As adults, parents are tasked with the responsibility of keeping their children safe both on and off of the internet. Education on the cause of cyberbullying and teaching your youth how to have positive interactions on the internet is the first step towards prevention. There is a misconception among teens that cyberbullying is comical without taking into account the detriment is has on the victim. Keep your children safe on the internet by teaching them how to interact responsibly while online. Also, pay close attention to your teen s actions online to monitor their behavior. For more information on cyberbullying visit www.stopbullying.org.
Rudolph Round - Up With the holiday season not far behind us, Highlands County s governmental agencies joined forces to make this Christmas special for the less fortunate in our surrounding communities. Members of the Sheriff s Office along with the Board of County Commissioners, Clerk of Courts and Tax Collector sponsored 50 children from Highlands County currently in foster care. The Rudolph Round Up is designed to give back to the community. The names of children were distributed to each office for sponsorship within the agency. A toy drive was held simultaneously with the sponsorships, where over 10 dozen toys were collected to be distributed to children in group home settings for Christmas. In total, nearly 1,080 children are in foster care between Highlands, Hardee and Polk counties. With the partnership of agencies such as ours and individuals across the counties Pictured at the left are Gloria Rybinski of the Board of County Commissioners and Kristie Ogg of the Sheriff s Office it was reported that ALL the children s wish lists were sponsored. What a wonderful outcome to be able to have every child sponsored and their wish lists satisfied. The children in our area, those of our future, are near and dear to the c i t i z e n s o f t h i s community. Turkey Shoot Benefits FSYR The mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is to prevent delinquency and develop strong, lawful, resilient, and productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to our communities for years to come. This is the exact reason the Sheriff s Office held the inaugural Turkey Shoot fundraiser on Sunday, November 7th at Jim s Pistolarrow with all of the proceeds going to benefit the Florida Sheriff s Youth Ranches. All shots were made from 7 yards away and relays were held for men, women and children of all ages. Thanks to the support from the community and members of the Sheriff s Office we were able to raise over $4,000 to go directly to the youth ranches. Youngsters from the youth ranches also attended the Turkey Shoot and were so grateful for our donation. With these funds the youth ranches will be able to help young men and women to face the future with a sense of direction, ability, and hope. Pictured to the right are Youth Ranchers and members of the Highlands County Sheriff s Office HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE Susan Benton, Sheriff 434 FERNLEAF AVENUE SEBRING, FL 33870 OFFICE: (863) 402-7200 Visit www.facebook.com and become a fan of the Amber Alert page to receive AMBER ALERTS on your Facebook page
Highlands County Sheriff s Office C RIME PREVENTION Insert for Volume 6, Issue 4 S.A.L.T. Announces New Officers for 2011 The Highlands County Seniors And Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.) Council held elections of officers at their December meeting. The following volunteers were elected: 1) President: Janet Tindell 2) Vice President: Grace Plants 3) Secretary: Darlene Earle 4) Treasurer: Fan Wells The transition from former to current officers will take place over the next 30 days however election results are official at the adjournment of the December meeting. During the past year the S.A.L.T. Council has rotated meetings throughout the county at the pleasure of the hosting agency. It was decided at the December 2010 meeting to continue to request each Highlands County Law Enforcement Agency to host three meetings during the year and to locate these meetings at various places within the corresponding jurisdictions. It was suggested that we try to hold meetings at different community clubhouses in an effort to increase attendance by the general public at the meetings. Highlands County Sheriff s Office CPS Nell Hays volunteered to coordinate meeting sites and hosts for 2011. If your community would like to host a S.A.L.T. meeting this year, please contact Nell at 863-385-0024. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 10AM. Anyone with suggestions for training topics should contact incoming Secretary Darlene Earle at 863-382-3101. White Collar Crime Affects 28 Million Households in U.S. The National White Collar Crime Center s 2010 Public Survey estimated that 28 million U.S. households were victims of white collar crime during the previous year. Of all categories queried, credit card fraud was number one accounting for nearly 40% of all incidents. Product pricing fraud and unnecessary repair scams rounded out the top three. NW3C s Director Don Brackman commented that This is proof that white collar crime is not a faceless offense that happens to other people. In comparison, the 2008 National Crime Victimization Survey reported 13.5% of house holds were hit by traditional property crime such as burglary or theft and only 2% were victims of violent crime. For more information on this topic, please visit http://crimesurvey.nw3c.org. The National White Collar Crime Center has taken over management of the www.ic3.gov website which is the Internet Crime Complaint Center. In addition they provide training to law enforcement agencies on intellectual property crime, VIN cloning and computer crime courses on cell phone and GPS device investigations.
80 Highlands County Communities Join Neighborhood Watch Going into the new year 80 Highlands County communities have gotten on board with the Neighborhood Watch concept. Of these groups, 4 have come through the three meeting requirement during 2010 and there are 9 additional groups that are at various stages within this process. In an effort to facilitate communication with Neighborhood Watch communities the Crime Prevention Unit is requesting email addresses for the Captain and Assistant Captain of each group. This information can be emailed to the attention of CPS Nell Hays at the Sheriff s Office. Nell s email is nhays@highlandssheriff.org.with emails on file, when something comes up of importance in any particular area, Nell can get the word out accurately and in a timely manner. Please contact Nell with your email address as soon as possible so this network can be put in place! Annual Meeting Reminder The only requirement of an established Neighborhood Watch group is to have one (annual) meeting per year with a representative of law enforcement to discuss pertinent issues. Some groups do not meet during the summer months and with limited staff to attend these meetings, it would be a good idea to get your request in early! If you need to plan your annual Neighborhood Watch meeting, please contact CPS Nell Hays as soon as possible. Dates are already filling up for the seasonal months thus it s never too early to call! You can reach Nell at 863-385-0024, or leave a message at that number and she will call you back. Social Networking Sites Prime for Thieves Are you a fan of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter? They provide an entertaining way to stay in touch with family and friends however there are some things to consider when posting on these sites. First, announcing your vacation on Facebook tells the world when you will be gone. Matching this information to your profile page and there you go! The thief can determine where you live and when you ll be gone.oops! Have you had a long lost friend contact you on Twitter? How can you be certain it s really that person? Especially if your new-found friend asks for personal information or money, please take some extra steps to verify that the person really is who they claim to be. A phone conversation may do the trick, or asking a question that only your real friend would know the answer to. Also, be cautious about revealing your own personal information on your profile page. You might not want to reveal your employment status for instance. Also consider carefully if you should list your children s names and ages. Unfortunately not everyone on these social networking sites is there for the social aspect, so please be careful.