Prepare For Graduation With Safety In Mind

With graduation ceremonies approaching, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office reminds teens and their parents to celebrate safely.

Deputies say it is important for parents, teens and party hosts to understand the laws in order to keep everyone safe.

Some parents host after-graduation parties where alcohol is provided, thinking that they can better protect teens by supervising their drinking, and by keeping them from driving drunk. Deputies are warning parents and guardians that they will be held responsible if any underage drinking occurs on their property and they could be subject to criminal and civil sanctions.

Establishments that sell alcohol are reminded to ask patrons for ID. Underage sales and purchases could result in criminal prosecution.

CCSO offers these tips to help keep teens safe:

* Communicate with your teens regularly and openly about alcohol and drugs.
* Communicate with other parents about your expectations and theirs.
* Discuss your expectations and rules for graduation outings.
* Know who will be driving and what your teen’s plans are.
* Make sure your teen has a cell phone. Have pre-established times when your teen calls in to check in with you.
* Remind your teen not to use alcohol or drugs, or ride in a vehicle with anyone under the influence.
* Never provide alcohol or drugs to your teen or others.
* Remind your teen to buckle up when riding in a vehicle.
* Don’t rent a hotel room for teens.
* Stay up until your teen gets home.

Regular and open communication between parents and teens can make a difference in preventing drunken driving, drug use, DUI accidents, and other destructive behavior. Take the time to give your teens the information and tools they need to stay safe

CCSO To Begin Seat Belt Safety Initiative

WHAT: Click It Or Ticket

WHEN: Monday, May 20 through Sunday, June 2

SUMMARY: Deputies are watching Collier County motorists to make sure everyone is properly buckled up in vehicles during the Click It Or Ticket initiative.

The purpose of the campaign is to increase safety belt use and reduce fatalities on Florida's roadways.

The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $113 in Collier County.

During Click It Or Ticket Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be conducting various countywide heightened enforcement details and efforts to draw attention to the importance of safety restraint use.

CCSO is joining forces with other law enforcement agencies across the state, along with FDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to crack down on drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up.

Here are some seat belt safety basics:

* The driver and front-seat passenger must wear a seat belt.
* Anyone younger than 18 must wear a seat belt no matter where they are sitting.
* Children 12 and younger should ride in the back seat for safety.
* Children from birth to 80 pounds and 4 feet 9 inches tall should ride either in a car seat or a booster seat, depending on their age.
* A ticket for a violation of child restraint violations will cost you $163.

CCSO Cell Dog/Reintegration Programs In The National Spotlight

Corrections professionals from around the nation learned about the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Second Chance Cell Dog Program and the agency’s multifaceted approach to inmate reintegration recently during a national conference.

Representatives of CCSO’s reintegration program – including service-dog-in-training Chico – staffed a booth and shared information during the American Jail Association’s 32nd annual Training Conference and Expo in Grand Rapids, Mich. The CCSO group also presented a two-hour workshop on the program during the conference.

The CCSO booth was the hit of the event – not only because everyone wanted to stop by to say hello to Chico, a friendly golden retriever. Participants also wanted to learn more about CCSO’s ambitious approach to giving inmates the tools they need to thrive when they return to the community.
"Our goal is to provide inmates with the tools and resources necessary to assist them in becoming more productive citizens when re-entering the community," said Corrections Captain Beth Richards. "We want to break the cycle of bad choices."

The cell dog program is a component of CCSO’s reintegration effort, which is designed to help inmates succeed when they are released into the community. The cell dog program promotes self confidence, respect for rules, teamwork and a sense of accomplishment. Other elements of the reintegration include General Educational Development (GED) preparation classes made possible through a partnership between CCSO and Collier County Public Schools.

Also through the partnership with the school district, inmates have access to training based on the best-selling book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” The training encourages effective time management, solid decision-making and strong interpersonal relationships.

Inmates interested in a career in the culinary arts can find training in the Jail through a partnership between CCSO and its food provider, Trinity Services Group. The goal of the nine-week program is for inmates to earn their food manager certification from the state, preparing them for jobs in the food and beverage industry when they return to the community.

Through a partnership with Southwest Florida Works, inmates can find job opportunities and help with job placement as part of the reintegration program.

CCSO Corrections Department Chief Chris Roberts credited his staff for its dedication to serving the community, inmates and public safety.

“Thanks to Captain Richards and the men and women who work in our jails, our Corrections Department is on the leading edge of reintegration programming and supervisory training initiatives,” Chief Roberts said. “We will continue to lead in these areas to make sure our community receives the greatest possible return on its investments in public safety.”

In addition to sharing information about reintegration, CCSO members also attended multiple workshops at the conference.

“This conference was all about exchanging ideas and finding ways to enhance our operations,” Captain Richards said. “We came back with ideas that will help us do an even better job.”

CCSO shared information about its Second Chance Cell Dog and inmate reintegration programs during the American Jail Association’s Training Conference and Expo in Grand Rapids recently. From left are Sgt. Adam Schank, Cpl. Portia Rix, golden retriever and service-dog-in-training Chico, Cpl. Patricia Feria and Dr. Leo Mediavilla. Sgt. Schank, Cpl. Rix, Chico and Cpl. Feria are involved with the Second Chance Cell Dog Program, and Dr. Mediavilla teaches inmates “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

CCSO Marine Deputies Battle Rough Seas Responding To Emergency In Gulf

Standing at the bow of a 25-foot Collier County Sheriff’s Office marine boat, Cpl. James Byrns attempted to hand off an automated external defibrillator (AED) to a passenger on a 50-foot sailboat, where another passenger was having a medical emergency.

But rough seas prevented the vessels from syncing, making the hand-off impossible.

“Every time our boat would go down, the bigger boat would go up,” Cpl. Byrns recalled.

Cpl. Byrns and Cpl. Shawn Bogart battled 5-7 foot seas and 15-20 mph winds responding to the medical emergency in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday night. The punishing conditions underscore the dangers CCSO deputies sometimes face, whether on road, the water or in the air.

“We took countless waves over the bow,” Cpl. Bogart said. “I lost count at 10.’

Some of the waves were shoulder level, he noted.

Cpl. Byrns and Cpl. Bogart were dispatched to the emergency around 8:30 p.m.

Traveling in heavy seas, strong winds and poor visibility, the two Marine Bureau deputies located the vessel 10 miles south of Cape Romano and 8 miles off shore around 9:30 p.m.

“That boat was being tossed around like nobody’s business,” Cpl. Byrns said.

After nearly 30 minutes and multiple attempts by the deputies to hand off the AED, a Collier County EMS boat arrived and was able to get a paramedic onboard the sailboat.

The patient remained on the sailboat with the medic because the rough conditions made it too dangerous to remove him from the boat.

Cpl. Bogart, and Cpl. Byrns followed the sailboat into Caxambas Pass where the waters were calm enough to transfer the patient onto the EMS boat and then to the Caxambas boat ramp on Marco Island to a waiting ambulance.

Both Cpl. Bogart and Cpl. Byrns advised boaters to always check weather conditions before setting out on the water.

Memorial Service To Honor Fallen Officers Wednesday

WHAT: Memorial service honoring fallen officers

WHEN: Wednesday, May 15

TIME: 7 p.m.

LOCATION: East Naples United Methodist Church, 2701 Airport-Pulling Road S., East Naples

SUMMARY: A memorial service and candlelight vigil will honor local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

All fallen law enforcement officers from Collier County will be honored by the county’s three law enforcement agencies – Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Naples Police Department and Marco Island Police Department - during the nighttime vigil.

The public is invited to attend.

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk will deliver the welcome as well as the memorial address and closing remarks. Sheriff Rambosk will be joined by Naples Chief of Police Tom Weschler and Marco Island Chief of Police Don Hunter in the lighting of the vigil candles in memory of the fallen officers.

While the Harp and Thistle Pipe Band performs “Amazing Grace,” family members of fallen officers will be invited to light a candle and place flowers on the table in honor of their loved one. Chief Weschler will assist.

Manuel “Manny” Gonzalez, a retired special agent with the U.S. Department of Treasury, is the scheduled guest speaker.



Chief Hunter will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cpl. Evan Burd will sing the National Anthem. Pastor Sheila Zellers, a Christian recording artist and a radio and television host, will perform a musical tribute.

The service will also feature the presentation of colors by the CCSO, NPD and MIPD Honor Guard, a last radio call by the CCSO Communications Bureau, and taps by the CCSO Honor Guard.

The service is one of many commemorative events taking place throughout the country during National Law Enforcement Memorial Week 2013.

Communities across the U.S. will come together May 12-19 to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 57 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 19,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website.

Each May new names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial walls.

In 2013, the names of 321 officers who died in the line of duty during the previous calendar year, as well as officers who were killed earlier in history but whose line-of-duty sacrifices only recently came to light, are being added to the Memorial, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website.

The Unveiling Day ceremony is an event held each spring to symbolically commemorate the service and sacrifice of all of the men and women who have given their lives for the safety and protection of others, the website states.

The following CCSO members will never be forgotten:

In Memoriam:

Deputy W.B. Richardson

Deputy William Irwin

Deputy William E. Hutto

Deputy Maurice Eugene Anglin

Investigator Arthur Allen Amos

Cpl. Amedicus “Med’ Quincy Howell III

Cpl. Mark Caperton

Sgt. Roy Arthur Williams

Sgt. Joe Nathan Jones

Deputy Raul “Rudy” Dimas Sr.

Click here to read the public invitation.

Man ‘Covered In Gas’ Charged With Arson In Vehicle Fire

A man who deputies saw leaving the scene of a vehicle fire in Golden Gate on Tuesday was arrested and charged with arson.

Oscar Tejada, 29, was ‘covered in gas’ when a deputy pulled him over during a traffic stop after spotting Tejada leaving the scene of the fire, according to arrest reports.

Deputies also found a gas can and lighter in Tejada’s vehicle, along with receipts for the items, reports said.

Tejada, 821 7th St. S.W., is charged with second-degree arson, a felony.

Arrest reports gave this account:

A deputy patrolling Golden Gate came upon a vehicle on fire on Santa Barbara Boulevard at 27th Court Southwest around 1:47 a.m.. The deputy noticed a Ford truck with its lights on leaving the scene and became suspicious.

After confirming that no one was inside the burning vehicle, the deputy attempted to locate the truck. The deputy spotted the truck at the intersection of of 55th Terrace Southwest and Coronado Parkway. When the deputy approached the intersection the driver of the truck sped off.

The deputy activated the emergency lights on his cruiser and attempted to make a traffic stop in the 2700 block of Santa Barbara Boulevard, but the driver kept on going. The driver pulled over on Golden Gate Parkway.

As the deputy approached the truck, he noticed a gas can in the truck bed. The driver, whom the deputy identified as Tejada, smelled strongly of gasoline. Tejada told the deputy he spilled gas on himself while putting it in the gas can in the bed of the truck.

When the deputy asked him why he was in the vicinity of the burning car, Tejada replied, “I wasn’t and I don’t know.”

A search of the truck turned up an empty container for a “diamond” lighter and also an empty package for non-slip gloves. When the deputy asked him if he smoked, Tejada replied no. Deputies also searched Tejada’s pockets and found receipts for the gas can, lighter and gloves. He also had $4,100 cash in his wallet.

In addition to arson, Tejada was charged with felony driving on a suspended license. He has three prior convictions for driving on a suspended license, reports said.

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, May 20:

Tropicana Boulevard and 32nd Avenue S.W. – Aggressive driving
20th Place S.W. at Golden Gate Elementary – Aggressive driving
Collier and Golden Gate boulevards – Red-light running

Tuesday, May 21:

Airport-Pulling Road and J and C Boulevard - Speeding
Pine Ridge Road and U.S. 41 North – Red-light running
Livingston Road and Golden Gate Parkway – Red-light running

Wednesday, May 22:

Victory Lane at Palmetto Ridge High School – Aggressive driving
Collier Boulevard and Immokalee Road - Speeding
Vanderbilt Beach Road and Logan Boulevard – Red-light running

Thursday, May 23:

Tamiami Trail East and Lely Resort Boulevard - Speeding
County Barn Road and Davis Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Airport-Pulling and Radio roads – Red-light running

Friday, May 24:

Orange Blossom Drive and Goodlette-Frank Road - Speeding
Immokalee Road and Palm River Boulevard - Speeding
Livingston Road and Veterans Memorial Boulevard - Speeding