Annual Report, Year 2006 - Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Annual Report - 2006
staff and medical flight crew.
The new aircraft is a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter with a medical package configuration. The County Commission
purchased the aircraft from a Pennsylvania hospital group. To help offset the expenses of the operation,
the Sheriff’s Office applied for an FAA Part 135 Operational Certificate which will allow for the collection of
fees for services provided. This license requires compliance with extensive regulations and more frequent and
intensive inspections. Rules also outline specific training required for all pilots, mechanics and medical flight
crew.
The new operation is a successful merger of three primary groups – the Monroe County Commission and
County Administrator, Monroe County Fire / Rescue and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The leadership,
vision, direction and commitment of the leaders of these organizations has made it possible for the citizens and
guests of Monroe County to benefit from this service. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office considers it an honor
to operate and maintain the helicopter and to work with the outstanding men and
women from Fire / Rescue and the hospitals of Monroe County.
Community Relations Division
The goal of the Community Relations Division is to prevent crime and enhance
safety in the Florida Keys, which is accomplished through the Division’s various
programs and through education of the public.
The Community Relations Division is comprised of:
• The Public Information Officer, who keeps the public informed about criminal
Director Greg Artman activity, safety measures and events happening at the Sheriff’s Office.
• School Resource Officers, who are assigned to area schools to not only enforce
the law but to teach students to avoid criminal behavior and drug abuse.
• The Crime Watch Coordinator, who organizes and guides neighborhood crime watch groups to be the
“eyes and ears” of law enforcement and instructs them on how to avoid being victims of crime.
• The Crime Stoppers program, which helps law enforcement by offering rewards for information about
crime. An anonymous hot line forwards tips to local law enforcement.
• The Juvenile Programs Division, which focuses on youthful offenders to prevent them from becoming
adult offenders through education and hands on guidance. The School Crossing Guards program, which
helps keep children safe when they arrive and leave their schools, either on foot or in vehicles.
Teen Court
The Sheriff’s Teen Court program successfully closed 135 cases in 2006, which is almost a ninety percent
rate of success for teens entering this nationally acclaimed diversion program. Teen Court is designed to divert
less serious offenders away from juvenile court so that these first or second time offenders don’t get a criminal
record, yet still face consequences for their actions. Just one
criminal offense on the record could hinder a youth from college
admission, military service, or a career path.
Youth are referred to the program in several ways, including
the issuance of juvenile citations by law enforcement officers or
referrals from the State Attorney’s Office or from the Department
of Juvenile Justice. If the youthful offender is eligible for the
program, he or she must admit guilt and accept responsibility
in order to be accepted. Teen Court only decides on the consequences
of the offense, which could include community service,
serving as a juror on other student’s cases, essays, jail tours,
apologies to their victims and /or their parents, counseling, drug
screening, and, restitution. Teen Court is based on the premise
that youthful offenders will more readily accept responsibility for
their actions when judged by their peers. The youthful offenders
who successfully complete all of the sanctions handed down by
their peers usually have thirty to ninety days to complete them. If the youth successfully completed the program,
charges are dropped. If the youth fails to complete the sanctions, the case is referred back to the court
system for prosecution.
Many teens volunteer to work with the program. Teen Court allows volunteer youth the opportunity to
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The Sheriff’s Juvenile Programs Division
handles IDDS and Teen Court.