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Here is Trauma Star transporting a patient from a moped-vehicle
crash which occurred on Big Pine Key May 1st at 4 p.m. Although the
97 year old patient was relayed to a Miami Trauma Center in less than
an hour, I understand he unfortunately died from his injuries.

Sheriff’s Report

Hurricane season is quickly approaching. Between now and June 1^st, you should be receiving two documents which you need to act upon as soon as possible. The first is a request for a salary advance should a hurricane approach the Keys. We give a $400.00 cash advance on your salary for evacuation assistance should you or your family need to leave the Keys when a hurricane evacuation is ordered. You need to let the Finance Department know ahead of time if you wish to be included on the list of people who would like this advance.

The second document you must act upon is a form requesting exemption from hurricane duty. As you know, all certified personnel are required to remain on duty in the event of a hurricane.  However, if there are extenuating circumstances, the MCSO will consider a request for exemption from this Hurricane Duty requirement.

Extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to the following:  single parent households, primary caregivers for elderly parents and households in which both spouses are certified officers employed by the MCSO.

Supervisors have been provided with an official Request for Exemption from Hurricane Duty form which must be completed and returned to the Human Resources Division no later than Friday, May 17, 2002. Please include, with your request, any documentation which would back up your request.

You need to make these decisions as soon as possible. Don’t wait for a hurricane to approach the Keys before requesting an advance or an exemption. By then, it will be too late.

Police Memorial Day is coming in May. This year, we will be observing it a week later than usual, on May 24^th. I hope you will all try to attend one of the two ceremonies being held in the Keys; in Marathon, the ceremony will be held at noon at the Marathon substation; in the lower Keys, the ceremony will be held jointly with the Key West Police department at 7 p.m. at Bayview Park in Key West.

Budget time is coming. This year, we are committed to asking the County Commission for a six percent salary increase. There are many more issues currently on the table regarding the budget. Between now and June when our proposed budget is due, we will be making more decisions and I will keep you up to date.

Ask the Administration

Question 1:Off duty details are the only chance most road patrol deputies have to make a little extra money, since there is virtually no overtime for these officers available. Don’t you think it is inappropriate, therefore, for a Captain to be signing up for these details, not only in his own sectors, but in other people’s sectors as well? I can understand him filling a detail at the last minute if no one else signed up for it, but he is signing up for details weeks in advance in some cases, and taking spots which other, much lower paid deputies would like to have.

Perhaps we could re-write the off duty detail GO to reflect who gets first priority when signing up, like road patrol gets first crack, then sgt.s, then lt.s, then capt.s…after that would come reserves, etc. I know there has been a lot of talk about this, and many deputies resent missing out on the slots he is signing up for.

Answered by Colonel McDonald: Our policy is that patrolmen get first crack, then Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains and Reserves.  In checking with the details that have been worked by the Captain, I have learned that the Captain has only taken these details after they have been refused by lower ranking officers and that is consistent with our policy.

Question 2: We have a member who will shortly be leaving the agency and who will be paid out a portion of his/her sick time. This member would like to donate the remainder of his/her time to the sick pool. In the past, this hasn’t been allowed…it’s a good idea, but will also ultimately cost the agency money. Can the Administration re-look at this issue?

Answered by Sheriff Rick Roth: State Statute allows the payment of 25 % when an individual retires and if, in fact, they wanted to give away the 75%, they would no longer have the 25 % to get paid for.   The forfeiture of the 75 % is what helps us fund the 25%. 

Our policy mirrors State Statute for State employees. Allowing people to donate sick time would require us to fund the balance at 100% and from a budgetary prospective this is not possible.

Bureau of Operations

Sector 7 Report

By Captain Jenny Bell-Thomson

I am charged with the task of writing this month’s rap sheet article since my lieutenant has chosen instead to take a Harley trip to Alabama.  Dothan, Alabama.  Why?  I do not know.  These things are beyond me -- the excitement and the lighting up of the faces of grown men when they discuss such things as chrome and leather.  Truth be told, as much as I try to stay engaged when they all start talking about motorcycles, my eyes tend to glaze over and my brain (what’s left of it) moves on, like when they start talking about sports, which they do almost as much as they talk about motorcycles.  I am a woman in a man’s world, still.

Our loss is Special Operations gain (again) as Deputy Todd Wyatt moves on to fill Jason Madnick’s position.  At least the work will keep Todd up here where I can nag him occasionally, and at least his reassignment gets Al Ramirez off my back (speaking of nagging!)  Just kidding, Al, I know the ‘gentle’ reminders to me were an effort to insure you’d be able to keep up the great work you’ve been doing.  We’re all for that. 

We’ve also received word formally that Pete Johnston will be retiring in July.  I don’t blame him for one minute, given the fact that his wife has already set up their home in Virginia, but we will miss Pete a lot.  The supervisor’s job at Ocean Reef is truly a unique one and Pete has balanced well the needs of the homeowners and the community manager with those of the Sheriff’s Office. He’s got a great crew working with him up there, too, and that makes a difference.

Pete’s replacement will be Sgt. David Stark, whom we gleefully stole from Sector 6.  Congratulations Dave, we’re looking forward to working with you, if Joe ever lets you go.

Message to Dillon Corr:  If you’re going to come up with an excuse as to why you have a black eye, could you do better than “I hit myself in the eye with a cast net.”  So lame….

I’d like to recognize and thank the Migala family (three-fourths of them, anyway).  Captain Ted Migala heads our Reserve program and covers for us on the road in addition to spending many hours in CIU.  His wife Mary Jo volunteers in Records a couple of times a week, which is a great bonus for us, and daughter Laura is a full time deputy.  We’re just missing daughter Mary Beth, who works as a massage therapist in Miami.  We sure could use her!  Thanks for everything you all do for us!

This month I’d also like to mention Deputy Sever Hustad for recognizing what could have turned out to be a very serious problem, and Sgt. Don Fanelli for solving the problem.  While on patrol one night Deputy Hustad came upon a group of teenagers at a Key Largo restaurant which had been closed for some time.  After shooing the kids off the property, he checked the restaurant itself and discovered it completely unsecured.  When he went inside he found numerous bottles of alcohol, wine, and keg beer.  He immediately passed this information on to Sgt. Fanelli.  That day, working with Jack Reed from Code Enforcement, Fanelli contacted someone associated with the property, who, it turns out, had no idea the place was wide open.  Within the week the company had sealed up the building, placed secure fencing around the pool, removed all the liquor and hired a nighttime security guard.

No one doubts that sooner, rather than later, the alcohol in this building would have disappeared, and we would probably be responding to the outcome – a DUI crash or some other incident.  This is a great example of problem solving. I encourage every deputy and supervisor to actively seek out those situations and address them so that they don’t turn into something worse down the road.  Good work!

Lower Keys Report

By Captain Rick Ramsay

I would like to welcome Lt. George Simpson to the Cudjoe Key patrol station.  Lt. Simpson is the new station commander here in the lower keys and we are very happy to have him aboard as part of our team.  Lt. Simpson has been here for about a month and is blending in well. He hit the ground running and in the short time he’s been here, he’s proven to be an asset to this station.  I have known and worked with Lt. Simpson for fifteen years. During this time we have always worked well together and will continue to do the same in the future.

Deputy Jay Fisher has recently completed the F.T.O. program and is now on his own on patrol.  Jay comes from the jail where he was a shift sergeant and brings his years of knowledge to us.  We all would like to congratulate him on his new assignment as well as completing the F.T.O. program. I look forward to working with him and seeing his effect on the community.

We have had several major vehicle crashes since the start of our air ambulance program and have found a true need for the Sheriff's Trauma Star Helicopter.  I have found the aviation unit to be responsive, dedicated and reliable with very impressive response time.  Their quality of service has been an asset to our district and to the Sheriff’s Office and I would like to thank the unit for their work and time.

On Tue. April 23rd the City of Key west had an early morning armed home invasion robbery involving three suspects.  The victims of this crime were operating a jewelry business from their home in the city.  The suspects forced their way into the residence and taped up the female victim as they waited for her husband to return.  Once he returned they overpowered him and taped him up as well.

The victim was forced to open a safe in the house and all of the victim’s jewelry and money were taken.  The suspects fled in a truck believed to be headed toward Miami.  A county wide B.O.L.O. was issued and within one minute of the BOLO going out,  the Sheriff's Office located the suspects who were in their vehicle northbound at the 19 mile marker. 

With this type of violent criminal activity, and with weapons known to be present, this was a very high risk situation that had a lot of potential to go bad real fast.  Coordination to ensure the safest possible plan and location to attempt a felony traffic stop was critical and my hat goes off to the officers involved for a great job (Sgt. Hull, Deputies Cuervo, Mimosa, Peteck and F.W.C.) 

The stop was attempted at the South Pine Channel bridge, but the suspects continued to flee north onto the North Pine Channel bridge where they started throwing items out of the window into the water, including the  gun and gloves used in the crime.  They continued north until they saw Deputies Mimosa and Peteck with the road shut down and the spike system deployed at which time the suspects stopped and jumped out of the right side of the truck.  Sgt. Hull and Deputy Cuervo did an outstanding job encountering these subjects, one of whom planned to make his escape by jumping into the water -- until he looked over the edge and saw that it was low tide and there was only about two feet to jump into.  The officers did a great job securing the suspects and ensuring safety of the public as well as fellow officers. 

The truck was reported stolen from Miami-Dade County and a search of the truck turned up all of the stolen property and victim’s identification as well as a firearm stolen during another home invasion down south this month.  This weapon still had blood and hair on it where the suspects pistol wiped the victim of that crime.  The suspects gave false information as to their identity, but were later identified. All of them had long criminal histories with violent crimes against persons including attempted murder.

F.W.C. had units on land as well as on the water to assist.  F.W.C. recovered the firearm from the water as well as the gloves and were very helpful and professional.  One of the suspects was wearing a watch that was taken from the victim of a prior home invasion so hopefully detectives from the City and County will be able to solve a couple of major crimes from this one apprehension and arrest. 

This incident went as well as it possibly  could have due to the outstanding work of the officers listed, the communications personnel involved, and the tremendous cooperation between them all.  I would like to you all for a great job.

 

Here is a picture of a search warrant organized by Detective Ben Lowe on Stock Island in April, looking for stolen scooters. It was a joint operation with Key West Police, DHSMV, & the Sheriff’s Office. There was no arrest , but the suspects are scared 4/18/2002	Sheriff’s Office Dive Team members and Arnold’s Towing pulled an old school bus from a lagoon behind Florida Keys Community College. The bus was used for dive training by both the Sheriff’s Office and the college. Recently, it had deteriorated to the point that it was no longer safe to dive on, so it was removed and will be disposed of.
Det. Henry Hamilton and Crime Analyst Koleen Bethel in front of the Oscar Meyer “Weiner-mobile”.	Detective John McGee, with his new son John Conary McGee.

Report from Sectors 4 and 5

By Lt. Larry Kelley

With the City of Marathon’s aggressive stance on Speeding and Aggressive-Driving Enforcement we are sending Deputies to a lot of traffic enforcement oriented training.  Deputies Linda Kohout and Charlene Huff went to Aggressive Driving Enforcement Training in Orlando and came home with lots of good information and techniques that they are imparting to the rest of the Sectors 4 and 5 Deputies for their use.  Deputy Lin Badman is going to DUI Checkpoint Operations Training in Jacksonville and I hope she continues to do the outstanding job she has been doing in setting up and supervising that aspect of our Traffic Enforcement Operations here in the City of Marathon. 

I am sending Deputies Jeremy Davy, Willie Guerra, Ernie Patton and Joel Slough to Miami-Dade to Radar School so they can become scientifically armed, even though they are consistently hammering traffic offenders out there even without radar.  If you observe what is obviously a reckless or dangerous or even discourteous move on the part of an errant driver you can always use much ignored statutes to bring the dangerous driver to a stop-Following too closely, Unsafe Lane Change, Cutting Across Private Property to Avoid a Traffic Control Device, Failure to Secure Load and Speed too Fast for Conditions are great tools in addressing Aggressive Driving.  After the Radar School, however, they will really be a force to be reckoned with-and I’m glad they will be.

Our Records Manager, Carolyn McKenzie, is going to the CJIS Conference in Orlando to stay up to speed on her responsibilities.  I hope she learns tons and brings all of it back and continues to do the excellent job she has been doing since she has been with us.  Speaking of Records-I want to thank our Civilian Staff, Deborah Simpson, Rita Hinerman and Carolyn for their efforts and help in making the operations of the station run so smoothly.  We especially thank them in this month of tribute to Administrative Assistants.

Deputy Lin Badman and Jen Lascala will be attending Child Seat Safety Technician School this month.  It is a 4 day school that will certify them in the installation and inspection of virtually every child seat known to man (and woman) and they will use this knowledge to work up and offer child seat check points throughout the City of Marathon and Sector 5 for the safety of our children and the peace of mind of our parents out there.  Their first Child Seat Safety Check Station will be in Marathon on June 1.  Speaking of Lin-she has just returned from her nine hundred and forty second trip to the Big Apple (or at least it seems like that many).  She really enjoys going up there and visiting friends she has made throughout the last year volunteering in the wake of the 9-11 tragedy.  Our hats are off to her for her efforts and we wish her continued health and fortitude in her ventures.  She surely represents all of us well and I am happy to know someone like Lin is showing that we in the Keys care.

Lin Badman in front of a skyline that sadly lacks the majesty it once had, but is taking on a new sense of determination.	Deputy Tom Peteck, Sr. takes a spin around the Marathon Airport in Night Star.

 

I am sending Chuck Meier to Post Blast Investigation School in Homestead for a week and Deputy Linda Kohout will be attending Sex Crimes Investigation School for a week as well.  These are both up and coming highly needed skills and we wish them well in their studies.

Well, the Powerboat Races are coming to town and during the weekend of May 17, 18 and 19^th the big boys will be here churning up the bay just off of the Old Seven Mile Bridge.  There are a lot of details available and I was very happy to finally be able to get Traffic Deputies some paid detail money.  I don’t know if you know it or not-Traffic Deputies work virtually all of the special functions in the county On-Duty side by side with Road Patrol Deputies who are getting Off-Duty Detail money.  I guess it is one of the responsibilities of Special Units to do this but at least once in awhile we can get them a bit of a bonus for their efforts.

We had a very successful weekend for the Seafood Festival on the Marathon Airport property at Aviation and U.S. 1 and if any of you know the intersection I’m speaking of you know it is one of the worst in the county.  Two days of detailed traffic control went as smoothly as could be thanks to the efforts and abilities of the Marathon Deputies who worked that location and an additional thanks to all who helped to get us through that weekend.

The Seven Mile Bridge run came and went as usual.  It has become a mainstay of our community and there are normally no problems.  Thanks to the Traffic Unit, our own Deputy Tom Peteck and Lt. George Simpson, this year was no different than the past dozen with little or no complaints and no problems. 

We hosted a Traffic Safety Concerns Conference in Marathon on April 18^th with attendees from throughout the county and Miami Dade to brainstorm safety issues on our highways.  Many good things came out of the meeting and you will be seeing some of them in your sectors soon.

Welcome back to Deputy Tricia Milliken who was out injured and is now back with all the energy she had when she went out.  Actually she seems to be even more excited to be here-if that is possible.  Congratulations to Deputy Dennis Coleman who completed FTO with flying colors and we welcome him to our family on the road.  He is a true asset and an excellent officer.  We truly enjoy having him with us out there.  Congratulations to Deputy Louis Rivera who just started FTO and from everything I am told is doing a tremendous job and displaying all the traits and abilities of a young rising star within our group.

A special “job well done” to Deputy Willie Guerra for the efforts he made to go home and come back in plain clothes to track down a felony domestic violence perpetrator we had been trying to grab-up for weeks.  His efforts were brave and determined and I am pleased to have him on our team.

And on the lighter side-Sergeant Sue Morgan has perfected the best way to sidetrack a violator who appears to be priming himself to file a complaint-while he is ranting and raving about how you should be out there catching murderers and rapists instead of harassing him for something as minor as speeding in a SCHOOL ZONE-she just calmly looks up from her ticket book and says “as long as we are going to be standing here for while-I would appreciate it if you would please zip up your pants.”  Way to go Sue!

And finally-let me update you on our enforcement efforts here in Marathon:

·        In March we arrested 13 DUIs, wrote 521 tickets, 330 Warnings, arrested 20 Felons, 73 Misdemeanors and served 24 Warrants.

·        As of this writing, in the first two weeks of April we have arrested 7 DUIs, written 411 tickets, 223 Warnings, arrested 14 Felons, 44 Misdemeanors and served 22 Warrants.

The energy and dedication of the men and women in this command continues to impress me and solidifies my opinion that there are no better out there than what we have in Monroe County and especially in Marathon.

Well-that’s all for now from Metro Marathon-stay safe out there.

AND REMEMBER….. "Warning! You want a warning, sir? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."

Community Relations/Juvenile Programs

Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Diversion Programs: IDDS, Teen Court, Civil Citations

By Ira Goldstein, Supervisor Juvenile Diversion Programs

The Juvenile Diversion IDDS program will be losing Susan Landry to the west coast, she and her husband, Captain Chuck Swashbuckler Landry, will be sailing off to San Diego, Calif. on April 26^th.  We are in the process of hiring a person to fill the slot she will leave vacant.  We have a number of very well qualified people vying for the position, and we may begin interviews next week.

Our recent hire, Craig Johnson has taken up the new civil citation grant position in the middle and upper keys, and is settling in and taking charge. With the assistance of Patricia Almeda’s schmooze factor we have equipped his position with the necessary bells and whistles for him to deal efficiently with the administrative side of his job responsibilities.

With regard to Craig’s Civil Citation Grant position we are working on developing what is now a part-time position into full time responsibilities. Our aim is to incorporate Teen Court responsibilities in the middle and upper keys along with his current Civil Citation responsibilities.

Craig will be conducting the newly implemented YES (shoplifters anonymous) program, the first class to be held Sat May 11^th. He has arranged for the conference room at Mariners.  Craig has trained with the curriculum and he, along with the entire staff, will be receiving further training from the New York Program Office at our next staff meeting on 4/19.  

Pursuant to the IDDS program our staff has served, from January 2001 to date 109 children, and we are currently at cap- 43 cases with 4 on the waiting list. We have to date closed out 75 of those children, and of that number we have demonstrated a 74 % success rate.

There was an IDDS providers meeting in Tallahassee and two issues in particular were addressed reflecting problems that are apparently and typically being experienced by virtually all of the providers

1.The statistical success rate established in the contract was set too high. It was recommended that the bar be lowered.

2. The level of contact in many cases was excessive, and counter productive and needed to be stepped down, an interim step-down policy was put in place. 

Both issues will be addressed by assessment teams to come up with more studied responses.

The civil citation program served from January 2001 to date 165 kids in the county. and had a successful completion rate of 85 %. The average of 10+ cases per month countywide should increase substantially given the devotion of a counselor to address specifically civil citations in the middle and upper keys. His promotion of the use of the citation should help raise the awareness of the line deputies of the value of this mechanism to address first and second time misdemeanant delinquent behavior. 

The citation program has received the new citation books, having been received this month. We are in the process of distributing them throughout the keys, and in Key West. Although we are making distribution to the sub-stations directly if any one is interested contact in the middle and upper keys Craig Johnson, cell phone 509-3917, and in the lower keys, Ira Goldstein office 292-7129.

There were 171 Teen Court referrals from January 2001 o date with 20 cases returned as ineligible leaving a success rate of 91% based upon 151 cases.

 Ms. Cotton is beginning a stepped up campaign to enlist teen volunteers at the schools.  If any of our parents have children 12 -17 who might be interested in participating as volunteers in Teen Court contact Ms. Karol Cotton at 292-7130

Commendations and Awards

From: Corporal Robert D. Graf, FHP, Marathon

To: Sheriff Richard D. Roth

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the great cooperative effort your personnel gave on March 31, 2002. I was working the Key Largo area on Easter Sunday when the tourist to police officer ratio was overwhelming. I was monitoring the sheriff’s dispatch channels when a possible traffic fatality on Card Sound Road was announced. I began to respond and when I got to the 106 mile marker Deputies Todd Wyatt and Sean Heffron were already preparing to detour traffic. I proceeded to drive north on Card Sound Road when the dispatcher’s began to relay a possible suspect description of four motorcycles who may have caused the traffic fatality. I was just passing the motorcycles as the BOLO was given. I stopped the motorcycle that caused the fatal crash and the three other motorcycles stopped south of me about 100 yards. I called for assistance. Deputies Todd Wyatt and Sean Heffron responded and arrived in less than one minute. The suspects were then escorted to the Circle K store at the 106 mile marker and processed by Miami-Dade Homicide detectives. The scene was finally cleared after exhaustive interviews and drive by line-ups conducted by the Miami-Dade County detectives and State Attorney at approximately 9:30 p.m.

I would like to also recognize the efforts put forth by the communications personnel on March 31, 2002. The dispatch center was instrumental in the coordination and direction of services needed to handle several simultaneous crashes with injuries and hazardous situations. I responded to and handled eight crashes on March 31, 2002. The deputies were dispatched with rescue personnel to four of the crashes that resulted injuries. The Jewfish Creek Bridge was blocked by an injury crash while Card Sound Road was closed. The deputies responded, cleared the road, cared for the injured until rescue could arrive, and began obtaining driver information before I could arrive from the traffic fatality investigation.

Thank you again to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office communications personnel, David Campbell, Kara Luna, Terri Story and Rene Walker. I credit their actions on March 31, 2002 with the apprehension of the four motorcyclists who were the cause of the fatal crash on Card Sound Road. Deputies Todd Wyatt and Sean Heffron were of great assistance in obtaining written statements and detaining the four motorcyclists. They also went the extra step of assisting in the rapid response to crashes and the gathering of information to expedite the crash investigations.

Torch Run

Dear Mr. Artman and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department:

I wanted to personally thank the men and women who participated in the run.  It was very thoughtful for Jim Painter and all of the runners to let EACH and EVERY one of our "special” students carry the torch.  I can’t begin to tell you how happy the children looked when everyone was clapping and encouraging them.

Thank you for supporting Special Olympics!

Sincerely,

Betty Shapiro

ESE Dept.

Poinciana Elementary

Good work on sex crime case

From: Sgt. Trish Dally

To: Sheriff Richard Roth

Sir, I wanted to bring an investigation to your attention due to the teamwork involved that resulted in the arrest of a sexual predator.

Det. Gedmin received information from several female juveniles, who attend Sugarloaf Middle School, that a male juvenile had been inappropriately touching them during school hours. On February 26th, Det. Gedmin and I spoke with the male juvenile and his mother at the Cudjoe sub-station. The male juvenile stated that he had a problem and he would not do it again Det. Gedmin and I both concluded that the child did not disclose everything.

On March 2nd, Det. Ryan was shopping in Winn Dixie on Big Pine Key when a subject wanting to know some information about a sex crime approached her. The subject stated that he had information that a boy was trading sex with an adult for drugs. Det. Ryan gave the man her card and told him that she would need to talk with the juvenile male.

Through follow-up investigation, Det. Ryan determined that the male juvenile involved in the sexual activity with the adult was the same male juvenile involved with the case Det. Gedmin had investigated.

Det.s Gedmin and Ryan met with the victim and obtained information about the sexual abuse. They obtained a taped statement about several incidents of Lewd/Lascivious battery and were able to identify the suspect. Carol Johnson (Victim Advocate) was also called in to assist with the family in getting the proper services. They received approval of the now victims mother to have him participate in a controlled call.

Due to the suspect’s primary language being Spanish, we received assistance from Deputy C. Williams for translation during the controlled call. The controlled call was made and the victim asked the suspect about the sex and the suspect did not deny the act. Det. Ryan consulted with the SAO and completed a warrant for the suspect. Judge Becker signed the warrant and placed the bond at $100,000.

The next step in the investigation was to interview the suspect and again we needed the assistance of a Spanish-speaking officer. We requested the assistance of Inspector L. Vega and he was authorized to assist with the investigation. On March 7 Det. Ryan, Inspector Vega, Det. Gedmin, and I met on Big Pine Key. Det. Ryan and Insp. Vega met with the suspect at his residence and Det. Gedmin and I remained in the area for back up. The suspect wished to be interviewed away from his residence so he was transported to the Big Pine Key Storefront.

The suspect was interviewed and he first denied the allegation, but when confronted with the controlled call he confessed to all of the incidents with the victim. The suspect was then arrested and transported to corrections.

This case utilized many departments of the Sheriffs Office (Crimes Against Women and Children, Sector 1 Road Patrol, Victims Advocate, and Internal Affairs). As a result of this collaborative effort we were able to get a sexual predator off the streets of Monroe County.

Thanks for the assistance

To: Sheriff R ck Roth

From: Monroe County Public Schools Executive Director Bob Menendez

This letter is a commendation for Deputy Matthew Dowling regarding his involvement in an alcohol related incident of a Monroe County School Board employee.

On April 5, 2002. we suspected that one of our employees had reported to work intoxicated. I personally called Deputy Dowling and asked if he would be willing to administer the breath test. He indicated he would be more than willing to upon approval from his supervisor. I immediately called the Cudjoe Substation and spoke with Lt. Simpson. Lt. Simpson gave his approval and Deputy Dowling provided the test and documentation.

I sincerely appreciated the cooperative efforts of both Lt. Simpson and Deputy Dowling. These efforts will result in the termination of the employee that has had an adverse effect on school staff and kids.

Please convey to both of these gentlemen my sincere appreciation for their responsiveness to help culminate a serious problem in our school system

Email Thanks

From: Richard Hohmann

To: Greg Artman

I didn’t catch her name…..

Wed, around 4 p.m., at Seidenberg and First, I had a bicycle accident. A very nice and helpful woman in a Sheriff’s uniform stopped her car, asked if I was all right, and offered me a ride home. A little shaken, I was able to coast the bike back. She followed me to make sure things were O.K.

I just wanted to say thank-you again.

Thanks for being considerate

To: Sheriff Rick Roth

From: Debra Ritchason, I.D. Assistant

I would like to give a special thank you to two of your deputies. Sgt. Hull and Deputy Freddie Rodriguez, for their concern and compassion during a very difficult event in our lives.

On April 17. 2002 I arrived home only to find police cars all down the street and an ambulance across from my house. A dear friend who had been very ill for a long time had passed away.

I believe these two officers could see the love. concern and worry in our little group because they would come out every once in a while and give us any little update to help ease our minds.

I (we) realize that this maybe” All in the line of duty” but it really meant a lot to all of us and for that WE THANK YOU.

Thanks for help in fraud case

From: Richard & Caroline Parks

To: Sheriff Rick Roth

We have had the unpleasant experience of having to report a fraud, perpetrated against both of us. The only good thing that occurred was that we met and gave the report to Sgt. Hull. He responded to our call and arrived at our house very quickly. He was polite, reassuring and a pleasure to talk to. He filed a report and assigned us a Case Number, but he also let us know that there probably would not be much that could be done, from the Keys, as the fraud was committed in Lauderdale, Florida. He made some suggestions and asked if there was anything else he could do and left.

This morning I received a call from Detective Hamilton, who was also very considerate and reassuring, that he would do whatever he could to help, although there is not much to do from the Keys. He also told me not to hesitate to call him if I needed to. He left me his phone number.

I felt these officer’s are to be commended on how they handle their jobs.

Thanks for investigative assistance

To: Captain Ross Thomson

From: Robert Michelotti, Asst. Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Dept. of Justice

I am writing this letter to commend Detective Sergeant Donald Hiller and Detective Sergeant Lee Ann Dalton for their assistance during the investigation of the Fernando Garza cocaine trafficking organization. Their contributions to this operation proved invaluable and the current success would not have been achieved without their participation.

In particular, on April 10, 2002, Sergeants Hiller and Dalton accompanied a confidential source from South Florida to the Tampa area for my office to debrief and attempt to utilize against investigative targets in the Middle District of Florida. They continued to assist the Tampa District Office case agent in every facet of the operation to include several debriefings, controlled telephone calls and an undercover operation.

It should be noted that during the undercover operation, communication problems arose and unexpected criminal targets arrived on the scene. Sergeants Hiller and Dalton assisted during this operational change of plans, following the confidential source after a controlled purchase to retrieve the purchased cocaine, technical equipment and recording. Their investigative experience and initiative during this operation helped to preserve the chain of custody for the controlled purchase and insured the safety of the confidential source.

After speaking with the case agent and the other agency personnel involved in this operation. I can assure you that Sergeants Hiller and Dalton are a positive reflection on the Monroe Count Sheriffs Office. Sergeant Hiller and Sergeant Dalton should be commended for their dedication and professionalism as law enforcement officers.

Thanks for help with gasoline

From: Michael and Deborah Hart

To: Sheriff Rick Roth

I would like to bring to your attention the actions of two of your Deputies. On March 13, 2002, we had to make an emergency trip from Big Pine to Marathon for our sick cat. On our way back to Big Pine, we started running out of gas on the Seven Mile Bridge at MM 41 and were pulling over to the side on the bridge.

Deputy David Lariz was headed towards Marathon and turned around to help us He pulled his patrol car up behind us with his emergency lights and provided us protection while on the bridge. We contacted AAA who gave us an ETA of approximately one hour Deputy Lariz then contacted Deputy Kevin Kopp at Sunshine Key. Deputy Kopp bought gas at the station and brought it to us on the bridge. We were back on our way in less than 30 minutes. We made attempts to repay Deputy Kopp for the gas which he declined.

I am a retired Lieutenant from the Broward Sheriffs Office in Ft. Lauderdale. I have worked and associated with law enforcement personnel since the early 70’s. It is the actions of deputies like Lariz and Kopp that remind me of how often the good deeds go unnoticed The general public only hears of the “bad apples” within our Agencies. Your deputies had no idea who I was and still treated us with respect and compassion They are a credit to your Agency and I cannot say Thank You enough.

Marathon Detention Center is the best

From: Gary Roberts, Director, The Last Resort Ministry, Inc.

To: Sheriff Rick Roth

We are chaplains at the Marathon Detention Center where we have volunteered for the past six years. This letter is long overdue. We would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for Lt. Ferraro and the officers at the Detention Center. Lt. Ferraro has been the officer in charge since we began our ministry there. We have always been treated with the utmost courtesy and respect Not only us, but also the detainees often comment on the decent treatment they receive at the Center. Many who have been released and even those who had to go to prison have written and asked us to express their thanks to the officers for being treated like men while they were there

It has been our experience that the people who work under a supervisor take on his attitude and work ethics. Lt. Ferraro has instilled in the officers in his charge the highest level of competence and respect for others while maintaining order in a difficult situation. The detainees are treated fairly and with impartiality. We believe that this is why the reputation of the Marathon Detention Center is impeccable

Lt. Ferraro is a great asset to the Sheriff’s Office. It is our sincere pleasure to know him and call him friend. We pray God’s blessing and protection on all of the men and women of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Thanks for help in difficult situation

To: Sheriff Rick Roth

From: Forrest A. Young, Dynasty Marine Associates, Inc.

I never thought that I would be writing you this letter but a situation occurred last weekend that just made it impossible not to congratulate you on the professionalism of your department. My wife and I are in the process of getting divorced and unfortunately she is pretty bitter and it is becoming an ugly battle. Friday, on the night of the prom, she and my daughter had an incident where I was forced to step in and try to settle a disagreement between them that turned into a disagreement between my wife and myself.

It happened at the home of a mutual friend (where the girls were all together getting dressed up) who ended dup calling your department to escort my wife off the premises as she refused to leave peacefully. Sgt. Schultz and four other officers (I wish I could recall the names now as they were great) arrived on the scene very promptly and soon the matter was in hand. Deputy Jennifer LaScala in particular played a pivotal role in the negotiations and it was primarily by her skill in negotiations and reasoning with a woman who was in no mood to be reasonable, that the matter was settled.

I want to commend you and particularly Deputy LaScala for your professionalism and sensitivity in this domestic situation. I remain very impressed.

Support Services

Human Resources Update

Short Term Disability Insurance

Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company is now offering coverage for Short Term Disability.  Colonial's voluntary short-term disability product provides income to offset the financial losses that result when an employee is unable to work due to a disability.

·        Product Highlights include:

·        Guaranteed Issue 

·        Continuity of coverage - available if you have a current group disability coverage

·        Low minimum participation requirement

·        Mental and nervous condition coverage

·        Waiver of Premium Coverage

·        Full maternity coverage

·        Payroll deduction

Please contact Dan Rachman at (954) 583-0485 or (800) 325-4368, for additional information.

Retirements:

Captain Emerson Allen - May 3, 2002

Sergeant Renette Avael - June 21, 2002

New Hires:

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	JOB TITLE	DEPARTMENT	DOH
Andersen	Jon	Deputy Sheriff	Sector VII Regional III PK	04/01/02
Castillo	Jason	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
DeSilva Pandol	Charmaine	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Duncan	Christian	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Gilkison	David	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Hayes	Christopher	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Marquith	Daniel	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Minor	David	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Morey	Frank	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Ramos	Marlena	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Weber	Christopher	Trainee	Academy Division	04/01/02
Costarakis	John	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Discher	Kevin	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Dunn, II	Elbert	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
England	Joshua	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Gartenmayer	Antonio	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Hernandez	Celso	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Killen	Adelaide	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Lott	Marcus	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Maggio	Jon	DD Auxiliary	Detention Academy	04/02/02
Brown	Johnny	Airport Security Technician	Airport Security	04/04/02
Galloway	Thomas	Detention Deputy-Part-time	KW Facility-Security	04/11/02
Hendrickson	Ruth	Communications Officer II	Central Communications	04/15/02
Heaviland	Michelle	Detention Records Assistant	Central Records	04/23/02
Valdez	Mary	Human Resources Specialist	Human Resources Division	04/29/02

What’s Happening

Sheldon visits Malaysia

By Inspector Jay Sheldon, Internal Affairs

Salamat Datang! That’s Malay for Welcome! I just returned from Malaysia. I stayed in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. You just have to love any country where “flogging” is still used as a legal form of punishment! Okay, it’s really “caning” but hey I think flogging sounds so much more painful!

This was my second trip to Southeast Asia, having spent some time in Thailand a couple of years ago. However, as for Law Enforcement, these Malays really know how to get the job done. Like the Thai police, nearly every officer is on the take, or can be if you know what you’re doing. I’m sure this is something they’ll all vehemently deny, however let me relate an “all too common” story.  Not a personal one!

Jay and a Malaysian police officer outside the police
headquarters building in Kuala Lumpur, the capitol city.

You’re on your way home from your favorite Kuala Lumpur drinking establishment and you’ve had way too much to drink. A police roadblock, one of 5 or 6 they’ve set up on this night, like every Saturday night, stops you. You blow into a machine you’re not even sure is working or is even real and the officer says, “Wow! You’re way over the limit! I can’t let you drive”

You say, “Awwww, officer, I’m so sorry. I simply have to get home, I just live a little way from here and I can’t really afford a ticket right now. Is there anything I can do about it now?” And while you say this be sure and put on a really sincere facial expression. At this point, most of the time, the gloves come off and there’s very little “acting” required. The officer will, fairly bluntly begin naming his price.

“Well, you know, the fine for this is about 300 Ringgit” (Malay for dollars at about 3.80 to 1 US$)

(Here’s where the real fun begins. Everything is negotiable in Malaysia!) “300 Ringgit!!! No Way! I couldn’t possibly afford that! All I have on me is 100.”

”One hundred! I should let you go for 100 Ringgit!?”

“Well, I may have another…. oh yes, lookie here… another 50 Ringgit note in my wallet! How’s that?”

“Okay, but get right home and don’t bother me again, you’re lucky I’m in a good mood tonight”

And so, 150 Ringgit poorer, but not doing any jail time, off you go.

You know, I’d have more work than I could handle in Malaysia!

Now, to be fair, the crime rate is extremely low in Malaysia, and I’m sure that has something to do with the type of punishment meted out. These guys don’t screw around, and it does NOT matter what country you’re from, break their laws and you are in for a pack of trouble. A mandatory death sentence for drug trafficking, and the all too famous caning. While some people’s idea of weekend fun may be being whacked with a bamboo cane, (the Malays call a Ratan) trust me this is far, far from fun. It usually results in bleeding welts, which heal slowly over several weeks

I also made a point to stop into the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters’ building and say hello to brother officers while I was there. I was also surprised to see many female officers. Malaysia is a 65% Muslim country, and I guess I’ve been too influenced by media reporting lately. The police have a huge number of motorcycle units simply because getting around in traffic is nearly impossible. Not as bad as Bangkok, but close! The white lane lines in the road are apparently the result of a sale on white paint and having an overstock. The traffic control lights and stop signs, only a suggestion to drivers. Basically, you’re on your own. Have an accident? Don’t bother to call 999 (Malay for 911) they’ll never come. Just exchange insurance information, if the other driver has any, and be one your way or call your own tow truck.

One thing you DO have to look out for driving in Malaysia, at least in Kuala Lumpur is motorcycles. To their credit, almost everyone wears a helmet. It’s mandatory, and the police WILL give you an expensive ticket if you’re caught without it. BUT 99.99 % of motorcycle drivers have a death wish and 100% have an annoying habit of performing death-defying slalom-type maneuvers, weaving in and out of cars until one day they meet their maker. Next time you cross an intersection, look at the traffic waiting to cross. Inevitably, the entire front row, several rows deep there are hundred of motorcycles who skated up through the cars and are now in the front of the line. Don’t worry, they’ll fall back and scream up past you next stop light!

All of this having been said, let me wrap up by telling you that I fell in love with Malaysia. In spite of getting myself lost a few times on windy unmarked streets, I never once felt unsafe there. The police officers I purposefully encountered were pleasant and helpful and always wearing a smile.

If you have the chance to travel and are thinking of where to go, let me suggest Malaysia. It’s exotic, beautiful, exciting, cheap and a lot of fun! The people of Malaysia couldn’t be more friendly and welcoming.  Just leave the bamboo canes at home!

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches: “Law Officers Are Your Friends”

From the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches

The Mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is to prevent juvenile delinquency and develop lawful, productive citizens through a broad range of family-centered services.

When two Florida Sheriffs proposed their idea, their plan to establish a Ranch to help care for troubled boys, not even they could have foreseen, or imagined, the scope their simple dream would eventually become.  After all, the intention was to reach a handful of at-risk youth, offer them a safe place to grow, and a home to work through daily problems.  They just wanted to stop the spread of juvenile delinquency and neglect. 

Today, after 44 years of growth and expansion, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is a statewide network of residential campuses, youth camping programs and community-based services.  Beginning with a mere $5,000 and 160 acres of donated land along the Suwannee River, the Youth Ranches has served almost 50,000 boys, girls and their families.

This year, Summer Camp 2002, will be offering a summer camping session at the Youth Camp that will run six (6) days Sunday, August 4^th through Friday, August 9^th. The camp is for those children who are referred by social workers, officers, school personnel and personnel from other agencies. The area of Collier, Dade and Monroe Counties has the capability of serving 60 campers (30 boys and 30 girls).  The Ranch provides transportation to and from the camp.  If you know of any children between the ages of 8 and 18 who would benefit from this program, please contact any School Resource Officer or Val Marinello at 305-292-7003 and applications will be provided.  All applications must be submitted by June 1, 2002.

Remember: All Keys Calls are Local

Effective April 8th, BellSouth has changed all calls that originate and terminate within the keys have become local calls, at no charge.  Please make sure to update your speed dial lists for numbers you dial in the keys.  You should be using suncom for all long distance calls, please call finance if you have any questions.

From Nicol Walker, in Human Resources:

We've started doing a Joke Board at the Detention Facility to create our own "In House Joke Book". I thought you might want to put them in the Rap Sheet, with of course all kudos going to the KW Facility staff. We've only done one so far, but many more are on the way

Why did the Dog jump off the Cliff?

·        Because Katz drove him to it!

·        To catch that silly Wabbit

·        Airdale?

·        To stupid to climb down

·        Because Officer Lenny said something incomprehensible

·        He thought he could fly

·        Because he was chasing the Cat Burglar

·        To meet his girlfriend

·        Because he thought he heard a Bear, only to realize after he jumped that it was Castro snoring

·        He jumped off OF Cliff because his leg was too hairy.

·        He didn’t jump, He simulated. It was only a drill.

·        Because when Cliff says jump you JUMP.

·        Who let the dogs out?

·        Damn those dogs

·        He spent a week working Alpha

Traffic issues:

Traffic has been a major county wide issue of late. In Marathon, a traffic study was done over a weeklong period of time, using two of the Sheriff’s Office SMART Radar Trailers. One was set up to clock southbound traffic in a 35 mph zone and the other, northbound traffic in a 45 mph zone. 60,000 vehicles were clocked in one direction, and 65,000 in the other direction. At the end of the study, this conclusion was reached, according to a report submitted to the City of Marathon:

“Our survey shows that traffic does indeed move faster in the 45 mph zone and slower in the 35 mph zone. This would indicate that a raise in the posted speed limit from 35 mph to 45 mph would increase the speed of the flow of traffic in that area.”