Idea Transcript
FALL 2014
Taking The High Road: Motorists and Bicyclists Can PARTNER FOR SAFETY
Sheriff:
Y A S T S U J
NO
To Amendment 2 Dear Friends, D F Florida voters will d decide in N November whether to approve a co o constitutional am m amendment that w would legalize medical marijuana m in our state. Many times over the past several months M I’ I’ve been asked for my opinion on this issue from a law enforcement perspective. I would fr like to share my thoughts with all of you li here. h Scan for more information on
sharing the road
Motorists yield as bicycle riders get ready to turn right off Vanderbilt Beach Road onto Airport-Pulling Road in North Naples. Coexisting safely requires mutual respect and understanding between cyclists and motorists. Both groups share the same rights and responsibilities on public roads.
that any substance being I believe b administered for medicinal purposes must ad d undergo a thorough review by the U.S. Food u and an n Drug Administration prior to being approved for use. This is the only way to ap p determine appropriate controls, dosage d quantities, dosage intervals and assure users q that the product they are ingesting is safe. th
Photos by Cpl. Efrain Hernandez (2)
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office wants to ensure cyclists and motorists who use local roads and pathways practice safe travel behavior. In Collier County, deputies responded to 64 crashes involving vehicles and bicycles from January to mid-September. From 2007 to 2011, there were 532 bike
fatality crashes on Florida roads and highways, and 21,935 bicyclists were injured, according to the Florida Department of Transportation’s 2013 Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Safety Plan. In Collier, there were nine bike fatality crashes and 370 injury crashes during the same time period, the study said. In Florida, bicycles are defined by law as vehicles. Bicyclists have the same roadway rights and responsibilities as
the operators of any other vehicle. Sgt. Chris Gonzalez of the CCSO Safety Traffic Enforcement Bureau said the basic concept for cyclists and motorists to remember is that everyone must share the road. If bicyclists and motorists treat each other with respect, then all road users will benefit. “Courtesy is contagious,” Sgt. Gonzalez said. “We all have a responsibility to be courteous.”
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icyclists and motorists both play a key role in keeping Collier County’s roads safe.
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Welcome Back; Here’s What You Missed At CCSO
Welcome back, seasonal residents!
A lot of terrific things happened at your Collier County Sheriff’s Office while you were away, including new technologybased initiatives and crime-fighting tools all aimed at keeping our community a great place and a safe place.
Under federal law, marijuana is considered U to be illegal. Possession of any amount of m marijuana is punishable by up to a year in ja jail and a fine of $1,000 on the first offense. W When it comes to selling marijuana, under fe federal law anyone convicted of selling 50 ki kilograms or less may be sentenced to up to fi five years in prison and a fine of up to $2 2 $250,000. The U.S. Drug Enforcement A Administration lists marijuana as a S Schedule 1 drug, which is a classification of d drugs with no currently accepted medical u use and a high potential for abuse. I can also tell you that if Amendment 2 is ap p approved I expect us to see the return of the p problems we endured with pill mills a few ye years ago. Florida was the epicenter of the n nation’s prescription drug epidemic. U Unscrupulous providers set up clinics and p passed out pills like candy to addicts who ca a came from several states away in search of an n easy high. Should this amendment be ap p approved we will see marijuana d dispensaries proliferate the way pain clinics d did before Florida shored up its prescription d drug laws. I don’t think any of us want F Florida to become the medical marijuana va vacation destination.
Here’s a recap of some of the great things that happened at CCSO:
Video-Sharing Partnership Residents and business owners who have external surveillance systems can an now partner with CCSO to help solve crime. Under the Community Video Watch Partnership program, owners of external surveillance cameras can register their property location with the agency. In the event of a crime, a deputy will check the database for participating external surveillance d, systems in the area. If any are located, the deputy may contact the owner off the system and ask them to review their footage to determine whether itt ve captured anything that may help solve the case. Register online at www.colliersheriff.. org. Go to “Stay Safe” and click on “Crime Prevention,” then click on “Community Watch Partnership.” Or, for more information, call the CCSO Crime Prevention Bureau at 239.252.0703.
Text to 911 T C Customers of all four major wireless c carriers in unincorporated Collier C County and Marco Island can n now send a text message to 911 d dispatchers in an emergency, but only iif calling isn’t an option. IIn June, CCSO became the first public s safety agency in Florida to implement ttext-to-911 service from cellular ttelephones for emergency help when a person is unable to make a 911 call. T This potentially lifesaving service iis available to Verizon Wireless, T T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint customers. T Text-to-911 is intended primarily for u use in specific emergency scenarios: ffor an individual who is speech or h hearing impaired or who is unable to c call 911 due to a medical emergency tthat renders him or her unable to s speak; or in the event of a crime such a as a home invasion or abduction. P Photos, videos and other attachments c cannot currently be sent to 911 via ttext, although those capabilities will b be available with the next phase of 911 – called Next Generation 911.
‘Ghost cars,’ taxi cruiser Four newly marked CCSO vehicles designed to enhance traffic safety are out on the road, the agency’s latest crime-fighting tools. Three vehicles are marked with subdued “ghost”-style striping, allowing them to go virtually unnoticed in traffic. Until, that is, when light hits the lettering and illuminates it. The subtle markings help deputies observe driving patterns without being noticed. The result will be an increased ability to catch aggressive drivers, speeders and impaired drivers. The fourth vehicle, a half patrol car, half taxicab, is being used to promote an anti-DUI message. The car, a retired CCSO patrol vehicle, was marked in partnership with the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The front half bears typical CCSO green and gold markings, along with the words, “This ride is about $10,000.” The rear end of the car looks like a taxi, with the words, “This ride is about $20.” The words, “Choose your ride” also appear on the car. The message: It’s safer – and far less expensive – to call a cab after drinking alcohol rather than attempt to drive.
I also have concerns from a law enforcement st t standpoint. Due to testing limitations it is in inherently more difficult to prosecute so o someone who was driving impaired due to o other drugs in their system as opposed to so o someone who was driving with the drug of al l alcohol in their system. In addition, m monitoring which marijuana growing and d distribution operations are operating legally an n which are not will require significant and la law enforcement resources. Th The amendment language is also co o concerning. It provides medical p practitioners with tremendous latitude in is issuing certificates for its use. Certificates m may be issued for any patient condition d deemed appropriate by the physician. That o opens the door for certificates to be issued to anyone with a toothache or a backache. A And did you notice that I used the word ce e certificate and not the word prescription? Th That’s because only FDA-approved drugs ca a be prescribed. As I mentioned earlier, can m marijuana has not undergone the rigorous sa a safety and effectiveness review process to ea a FDA approval. earn Itt is for all of these reasons that I do not su u support Amendment 2. Yours in a safe community,
Kevin Rambosk, Collier County Sheriff
Senior Center
Readying For Fall Debut In Golden Gate
After more than two years of planning, the Golden Gate Senior Center is expected to open this fall in the former Golden Gate library building, 4898 Coronado Parkway. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Collier Senior Resources in the new center, which will embrace a “no wrong door” philosophy, ensuring that anyone who visits will find the information and resources needed. Photos courtesy Collier Senior Resources (2)
Whether it’s safety services, veterans’ benefits or a hot meal, senior citizens will soon have a new place to get all of those and more.
A
fter years of trying to find a place to settle down, a new senior citizens center for the Golden Gate community is nearing the final stretch.
Construction on the Golden Gate Senior Center is almost complete. Originally scheduled to open in October in the former Golden Gate library, 4898 Coronado Parkway, the center is now looking at a November debut while it awaits final permits, said Jim Barton, chairman of the Collier Senior Resources Board of Directors. The Collier Senior Resources Board of Directors has been the driving force developing the center for the past two years. “I now know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and not a train coming at me,” said Barton. “It’s been delightful to see it coming together, and it’s going to happen. It’s exciting.” The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to partner with Collier Senior Resources to help local seniors, said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. The sheriff’s Seniors Advocacy Unit works hand in hand with Collier Senior Resources and supports its mission to provide comprehensive information, services and resources that affect the quality of life of older adults and their caregivers, empowering them to maintain independent and meaningful lives. The new senior center will be “a terrific asset” for the Golden Gate community, Sheriff Rambosk said. “The No. 1 reason elderly people become a victim is isolation,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “The Golden Gate Senior Center will go a long way in keeping
seniors connected with the community and each other.” The new center will provide seniors and their caregivers with a central access point for social and supportive services. Thanks to enthusiastic collaboration among numerous nonprofit and governmental agencies, Barton said, the center will offer a daily nutrition program, food pantry, counseling services, and support services for caretakers. It will also offer direct services, with agencies onsite, ranging from veterans benefits to Social Security and from Medicare to Senior Choices of Southwest Florida. There will be access to Collier Area Transit, including door-to-door service for less mobile seniors, health screenings and referrals, and safety services from the Sheriff’s Office. There will also be plenty of fun activities, including games, music, and arts and crafts. As a community partner, the Sheriff’s Office will use the center to provide educational sessions on topics that directly affect seniors like scams and frauds. The goal is to reduce to likelihood that they will become a crime victim. Sheriff Rambosk said many elderly victims fear consequences of reporting crimes against them because the caregiver, the most common perpetrator, has threatened withdrawal of care. The senior center will educate seniors on the various programs that are available in the community, hopefully giving them the support needed to report elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, he said.
The center’s staff will be fluent in Spanish and Creole so that all seniors will be comfortable accessing the center and its services, Barton said. New program director Tatiana Fortune said she speaks Creole. Her first day on the job was Aug. 25. Prior to coming to Collier County, Fortune worked for the Lee County Human Services Department. Fortune called the new senior center “a beautiful project.”
Tatiana Fortune, Senior Resources program director.
“I’m really looking forward to having a space for seniors to be comfortable and welcome and to have access to services that will help them with bettering their quality of life,” Fortune said. A needs assessment of Collier County seniors by Florida Gulf Coast University a year and a half ago showed that the county had a serious shortage of services for its older seniors and its many frail, isolated and vulnerable elderly. It also showed there are 57,600 seniors residing in North Naples, Golden Gate and East Naples. Jewish Family and Community Services responded to the North Naples need, recently opening a 4,000-square-foot senior center on Castello Drive. Both the North Naples and new Golden Gate senior centers will fill an unmet need, said Sallie Williams of the Williams Consulting Group LLC, consultant for Collier Senior Resources. “We anticipate additional centers will open in the coming years because the need is so great,” Williams said.
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For more information, visit the Collier Senior Resources website at www.collierseniorresources.org.
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‘Courtesy is contagious’ is the philosophy of “Paying it Forward” on the road. Sgt. Gonzalez gave the example of a bicyclist entering a crosswalk when he or she is not supposed to. It’s up to the motorist to be aware of the bicyclist and to “back off a bit.”
if all cyclists wore bike helmets. Although not required by law (unless you are younger than 16), the Sheriff’s Office strongly recommends cyclists wear an approved helmet.
“We all have a responsibility to be cognizant of one another on the road,” Sgt. Gonzalez said. “Everyone must pay attention.”
Riding while intoxicated is extremely dangerous. Intoxication causes delayed reaction time and blurred vision. Additionally, you can be arrested for operating a bicycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Almost 75 percent of all cycling deaths in the United States are caused by head injuries. Each year thousands of serious head injuries could be prevented
It’s important to observe safety guidelines when bicycles and vehicles share the road. Here are some helpful tips:
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MADD Honors CCSO For DUI Enforcement Initiatives CCSO-produced video that outlines the ramifications of being arrested for DUI. The car is also is displayed alongside an electronic message board when CCSO is preparing for a DUI enforcement operation.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Florida has honored the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for the agency’s efforts to stop impaired driving. CCSO was recognized during MADD’s 14th annual Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony on Aug. 1 in Fort Lauderdale.
v7KUHHSDWUROFDUVDUHRXWILWWHGZLWK all of the typical equipment including external overhead light bars and push bumpers, but the twist is they sport special “ghost” striping. This special striping is subdued in normal operation yet reflects light such as that from passing vehicles. These stealthy cars enable deputies to witness infractions and impaired drivers without being as readily identified as a law enforcement vehicle, yet still providing a visual deterrent when the striping is visible.
The ceremony recognized law enforcement officers who work daily to ensure Florida roadways are kept safe from drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. MADD presented CCSO with the Outstanding Dedication to DUI Enforcement Award. CCSO was in the large/urban agency category, along with agencies of similar size and composition to CCSO, including the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and Coral Gables Police Department. Since the late 1990s, with the inception of its initial state Department of Transportation grant-funded DUI Task Force, CCSO has sought out new and novel ideas to aid deputies in combating impaired driving. Since that initial grant of three vehicles and deputies, CCSO has continued to work toward eliminating impaired driving within the county. These innovations include unmarked, unconventional vehicles, nontraditional decaling, and novel public relations and educational initiatives. “The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Florida honored the Collier County Sheriff’s Office with the Outstanding Dedication To DUI Enforcment Award during the annual Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony on Aug. 1 in Fort Lauderdale. Pictured from left to right: Lori Burke, program specialist, MADD Southwest Florida; Sgt. Tim Cornelius; Lt. Mike Dolan; Cpl. Robert Lewis III; Cpl. David Christiansen; Cpl. Dan Darren; Cpl. Darrel Kehne; and David Pinsker, executive director, MADD Florida.
been devoted to striving toward the elimination of drunk driving for over two decades through the innovative ideas of dedicated members,’’ Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. MADD honored CCSO for not simply developing one program but utilizing long-standing and new initiatives aimed at education and enforcement as part of the agency’s approach to reach as many people as possible to remind them of the dangers of drunk driving. CCSO also has initiatives in place to educate not only adults but teens as well. Additionally, the agency
encourages members to work with MADD in support of the organization’s goals and the services it provides to the victims of drunk driving. Here’s a look at some of the initiatives CCSO is using to eliminate impaired driving in Collier County:
v$UHWLUHG&&62SDWUROFDULVEHLQJ used as an educational tool to promote a DUI message. The front half is marked as a patrol car with the wording, “This ride is about $10,000.” The back half is the traditional black and yellow like a taxi cab with the words, “This ride is about $20.” The vehicle is displayed at community events, along with a
v7KHDJHQF\SURYLGHV'8,HGXFDWLRQWR high-schoolers through the use of the Simulated Impaired Experience (SIDNE) go-cart program. Through the use of this vehicle and other tools such as Fatal Vision Goggles, many local teens have been able to experience the perils of drunk driving first-hand and in a safe and controlled environment. v6L[&&62PHPEHUVDUHFXUUHQWO\ certified Drug Recognition Experts (DRE), two of whom are instructors. DREs are certified to detect and identify people under the influence of drugs and to identify what drug categories may be causing the impairment. The certification requires more than 100 hours of rigorous class work and is so difficult that only a few law enforcement officers pass the course each year.
In addition to this prestigious agency award, several CCSO deputies were nominated for individual recognition at the ceremony: Cpl. Darrel Kehne - MADD Florida Hero Cpl. John Neiderhiser - Breath Technicians/Breath Test Operators Cpl. Daniel Darren - Underage Drinking Prevention Individuals or Agencies Cpl. Daniel Darren - MADD Hero for Drugged Driving Enforcement
Cpl. Daniel Darren - Outstanding Dedication to DUI Enforcement Cpl. Robert Lewis III - Outstanding Dedication to DUI Enforcement Sgt. Tim Cornelius - MADD Hero for Drugged Driving Enforcement
CCSO Youth Relations Bureau Earns National Honor The Collier County Sheriff’s Office Youth Relations Bureau was recently honored with the 2014 Model Agency Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers. The annual award recognizes a law enforcement agency for its creative and innovative approach to school-based policing. “Your program is indeed a shining example of the school resource officers program,’’ NASRO Executive Director Mo Canady wrote in a letter to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk announcing the agency’s selection. The award was presented July 14 at the 24th annual NASRO School Safety Conference near Palm Springs, Calif. Sheriff Rambosk said he appreciated the honor and credited the hardworking men and women of the Youth Relations Bureau who strive to keep Collier County’s school campuses safe. “These deputies are not only keeping our campuses safe, they are also mentoring and educating our children in a variety of ways,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “Through their passion and drive, this special group of deputies is investing in our youth and their community. Keeping 45,000 students, 3,200 teachers and administrators, 1,200 support staff, 8,370 volunteers and mentors, and innumerable parents safe and involved is quite a feat, but our Youth Relations deputies are succeeding.” The Sheriff’s Office has a long history of providing safety and security in Collier County schools. The partnership between CCSO and Collier County Public Schools began in 1977 when then-Sheriff Aubrey Rogers first assigned eight deputies to safeguard our schools.
Collier County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton echoed the Sheriff’s s comments. “The relationship between the school district and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office is like no other and it even extends beyond the walls of our schools,” Dr. Patton said. “The CCSO programs that serve our students – ranging from the award-winning DARE program to the phenomenal Summerfest program – help make that bond even stronger.” Dr. Patton went on to say, “I know of districts that have no officers in their schools whatsoever. What we do here in Collier County does indeed serve as a model for other districts and law enforcement agencies to follow. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to Sheriff Rambosk and his Youth Relations Bureau deputies for all they do to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff.” The Collier County Sheriff’s Office Youth Relations Bureau boasts: rQFSDFOUGVOEJOHCZUIF$$40CVEHFUUISPVHIUIF Collier County Board of Commissioners. rDPNNVOJUZQBSUOFSTIJQTSFTVMUJOHJOEPOBUJPOTUIBU support CCSO’s ambitious Summerfest program. These partnerships are vital to our annual Summerfest youth
rBNPEFM%SVH"CVTF3FTJTUBODF&EVDBUJPOQSPHSBN (DARE). Sheriff Rambosk serves on DARE America’s prestigious International Law Enforcement Advisory Board. rTVNNFS TQSJOHBOEXJOUFSBDUJWJUJFTGPSZPVUICFZPOEUIF school year. Activities include a day camp for fifth-graders over spring break; Junior Deputy Day at the county fair, which draws more than 3,000 Collier fourth-graders; and Winterfest during winter break. r5FFO%SJWFS$IBMMFOHFQSPHSBN XIJDIQSPWJEFTUFFO drivers with the knowledge and hands-on experience to reduce their chances of being involved in a crash. rDPOUJOVPVTJNQSPWFNFOUUISPVHIDMBTTFTBOEUSBJOJOH with a focus on keeping school emergency incidents under control. For example, every YRB member attends active shooter training at least twice a year and has successfully completed Crisis Intervention Training, a 40-hour course sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. rDPNNVOJUZJOWPMWFNFOUUISPVHIGSFFFWFOUTJO partnership with outside entities such as Drug Free Collier and Safe and Healthy Kids Coalition. rEFDMJOFTJOKVWFOJMFDSJNFBOEDSJNJOBMQSPTFDVUJPOPG juveniles. A component of that success is the agency’s Civil Citation diversion program that keeps kids from having an arrest record and out of the juvenile justice system. r"XBSEXJOOJOHEFQVUJFT$QM4BOESB4QSFOHFSXBT recently honored with the School Advocacy Safety Council’s 2014 National Exemplary Bullying Prevention Award.
CCSO Youth Deputies Leave Impression At International D.A.R.E. Conference The Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness and Resistance Education) car has once again earned top honors.
CCSO’s Youth Relations Bureau has grown into one of the biggest and most qualified school resource officer units in Florida. With a total of 70 members, the Youth Relations Bureau encompasses not only 47 certified law enforcement officers; it includes 20 school crossing guards, and three support staff. Together they work with a division of more than 100 deputies who provide support and assistance to the 48 public schools, 12 alternative school programs and 10 private and charter schools in Collier County. “For more than 35 years we have forged a successful working relationship with students, teachers, administrators and parents in Collier County,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “The Youth Relations Bureau has proven to be a vital component in school safety and violence prevention.”
activities programs that affect more than 55,000 youth in Collier County.
The 2012 Camaro earned two first-place trophies in the Specialty Division and Best Overall D.A.R.E. Vehicle at the 27th D.A.R.E. International Officers Training Conference in Grapevine, Texas, in July. This is the third consecutive year the car has been honored at the annual conference. In addition, Cpl. Ken Vila of CCSO’s Youth Relations Bureau was nominated and considered for the D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year award. Cpl. Vila finished runner-up among a very competitive field of candidates. Photo by Sgt. Thad Rhodes/CCSO
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COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Cpl. Bill Pschigoda assists with traffic as a tow vehicle removes a car at the intersection of Airport-Pulling Road and Exchange Avenue. High water from heavy rains made some roads in Collier County impassable in August. Photo by Cpl. Efrain Hernandez/CCSO
McGruff the Crime Dog visits the Sierra Club Apartments in East Naples during a Dog Days of Summer event in August. CCSO joined the Humane Society and the Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida to help kick off the grand opening of a dog park at Sierra Club. McGruff gave his new friends some tips on how to stay safe, along with child ID kits and information on the CCSO website. Photo by Connie Ledbetter/CCSO
CCSO deputies pay their respects during a 9/11 memorial service in Golden Gate. The event marked the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. CCSO partnered with the Golden Gate Civic Association, Golden Gate Fire Control & Rescue and Golden Gate High School to host the memorial honoring those who died during the attacks. Photo by Madison Hampton/CCSO
Cpl. Patti Holt doesn’t miss a beat dancing the Cupid Shuffle during Hot Summer Nights at Sun-N-Fun Lagoon in June. The event kicked off Summerfest, CCSO’s popular annual summer youth activities program. Summerfest delivered a wide range of fun and free activities for students in all grade levels in a safe environment at various locations around Collier County. Photo by Kristi Lester/CCSO
Sgt. Tiffany Castle and Mounted Patrol horse Honey train together with an obstacle known as the Yabba Dabba. Obstacle training strengthens the bond between the horse and rider, and teaches the horse to trust the rider regardless of any resistance it may encounter. Photo courtesy of Lee County Sheriff’s Office
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