Sheriff's Report:

Tourist season is here, along with traffic and vehicle break-ins

Tourist season is in full swing, as I'm sure anyone who has to drive on the highway is well aware of. Traffic is heavy, as it always is at this time of year and we've seen our share of accidents recently as a result of the increased number of cars out there.

Accidents are almost always caused by someone practicing unsafe driving habits. Some of the most common, and most deadly are passing in no passing zones, or passing when it is unsafe to do so; speeding; driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol; or letting anger interfere with good driving judgment - what the media commonly calls "Road Rage".

Here are my recommendations for staying safe on the road:

First of all, eliminate all of the dangerous driving listed above from your own driving. Instead, add a little extra time into your travel plans, relax and just go with the flow of traffic.

Don't drink and drive - designate a sober driver if you are going out to have a few drinks.

Don't get angry when you drive - most of the time, road rage results from someone getting angry when another driver makes a mistake - just let it go. Pay attention to your own safe driving instead of getting angry about someone else's driving habits. This is particularly true if you have children - children pick up on what you do. If you pound on the steering wheel, scream at other drivers and tailgate them just to "teach them a lesson" then they will probably do those things too when they start to drive. Do you really want to teach your children that type of behavior?

And, lastly, be a defensive driver. Pay attention to what is happening around you at all times. You may be driving with good, safe habits, but others may not be. There are many tourists on our highway who may be looking at our beautiful scenery, or trying to find their hotel. They may not be paying as much attention to traffic as they should. To avoid accidents, keep a safe following distance, make sure you signal turns and change lanes well in advance, turn on your lights at all times to help with visibility and watch what everyone else is doing closely.

Vehicle burglaries a problem:

Vehicle burglaries in December, by area:

• Sector 1(lower Keys) - 3

• Sector 4 (Marathon)  - 7 (6 were unlocked cars)

• Sector 5 (unincorporated middle Keys) - 1

• Sector 6 (Islamorada) - 4

• Sector 7 (Tavernier and Key Largo) - 8 (six were unlocked vehicles)

Take care, and stay safe.

   Sheriff, Monroe County

General News:

Community and Sheriff's Office work together to solve neighborhood problem

The Lincoln Gardens sub-division on Stock Island has recently been plagued by a number of juvenile related incidents, and, with the help and input of the community and the Neighborhood Crime Watch in that area, the Sheriff's Office was able to use forfeiture funds to pay for some extra law enforcement effort to deal with the problem.

Sheriff's deputies were assigned to work special details consisting of driver's license checkpoints and foot patrol.  Four checkpoints of four hours each were conducted with the following results:

• 63 traffic citations issued

• 50 written warnings issued

• 30 verbal warnings issued

• 5 field contact cards completed

• 17 criminal citations issued

• 2 warrant arrests made

• 2 traffic arrests made

Foot patrol details in the area had the following results:

• 28 field contact cards completed

• 2 traffic citations were issued

• 11 traffic warnings issued

• 1 stolen car was recovered

• 1 person arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia

• 1 person arrested on felony charges

• 1 vehicle towed

• 2 Notices to appear in court were issued

As a result, juvenile related incidents have declined, although we have noticed that some of the activity has moved to another area of Stock Island. We will be moving some of our extra patrols and attention to that area next in an effort to keep it in check.

This demonstrates what we can do when a residential area is having a particular problem that needs to be targeted. In this case, the citizens that were being affected called our agency, explained the problem, then worked with us to implement the solution. If you or your neighborhood is having a particular crime-related problem and you would like to work with us to find a solution, give your local substation a call or contact Crime Watch Coordinator Emil LaVache and get the ball rolling.

Sector 7

Changes in Sector 7

By Captain Jennifer Bell-Thomson, Commander Sector 7

Sgt. Deb Ryan was reassigned from her midnight shift supervisory position to fill Lt. Fanelli’s Zone Commander’s position.  Along with running her shift, Deb is now responsible for making all good things happen in her zone – from mile marker 100 to the county line.  She and zone commander Sgt. Lou Caputo make will make an excellent team, and we look forward to good things from her. 

Sean Heffron, another long-time member of the agency, was promoted from deputy to sergeant also in December.  Sgt. Heffron’s experience, knowledge, good decision-making skills and maturity were among the reasons he was chosen for this position.  He will be a great asset to our midnight shift.  

Sgt. Joe Passarelli transferred from the lower Keys to Sector 7 after 14 years in that sector as a supervisor.  Joe brings with him very positive supervisory traits and we’re glad to have him here. 

There are many other new faces among our ranks.  Deputy Lee Cowart who came to us from FWC; Deputy Jim Fitzgerald, formerly of the City of Miami Police Department; and Deputies Ray Jodlowski and Jason Keith, both from Jacksonville.  All experienced law enforcement officers; these new members are a welcome addition to our roster.  As they get out in to the community to meet people I know you will all make them feel welcome.

 We were pleased to learn that for the third year in a row the Neighborhood Crime Watch Chairperson of the Year comes from a Key Largo neighborhood.  Lou Freiheit, chairwoman of the Pirate’s Cove Crime Watch received this award from Sheriff Roth for her strong leadership and many positive accomplishments in that neighborhood.  Congratulations to you, Lou, and thank you from all our members for the work you do.

We were able to add two neighborhoods to our Crime Watch program recently – Sexton Cove and Tradewinds Hammocks. We continue to encourage people to become involved in this program, which we believe is one of the most effective ways to deter crime.  If you are interested in learning more about Neighborhood Crime Watch, please call Deputy Emil LaVache at 292-7116.

 As I reviewed our December burglary statistics I was distressed again to find that in 6 of the 8 auto burglaries the suspect merely opened an unlocked car door to remove the items.  I realize and appreciate that our residents and visitors feel safe – as they should given our low crime rate.  However, just taking one extra moment to lock your car or remove valuables can help lower that crime rate even more.   

Many burglaries and thefts are crimes of opportunity and there are simple ways we can eliminate the opportunity, saving us all time, money and the aggravation of insurance reporting.  If you would like to learn more about protecting your property the Sheriff’s Office offers several free programs – like security surveys of your homes or businesses.  For more information call our Community Relations Division at 292-7116. 

We wish you all a very successful and healthy New Year.