This is the new attempt to link with Technorati.  I will now be ranked at the astounding number of 17,234,675.  That's better odds than the Florida lottery.


<a href="http://www.technorati.com/claim/npxw4tf9" rel="me">Technorati Profile</a>

 In the many years that I’ve traveled I have seen many towns and cities big and small but by an accident of circumstances I wound up in Sanford Florida. My stepson lived here and invited us to come live with him for a while and a while has turned into almost four years. It’s a pleasant place, a city of around 30,000 or so. It’s the county seat of Seminole county, not big as counties go in Florida. The interesting part is that we’re smack dab next to Orlando and all the big destination parks. But after living here awhile I’ve found this county to be far more interesting because of their approach to handling crime. I’d like to point out that this county has the lowest crime rate in the state. Granted the cities are mostly bedroom communities for the nearby attractions but they attract a lot of the overflow of crimes from nearby. And, of course, we have a little bit of the homegrown bad boys (and girls).
More than anything the population has an almost universal appreciation of the “broken windows” philosophy. Additionally the county has had the good fortune to have a sheriff by the name of Don Eslinger who has put many procedures in place to produce results. I think that counties should take a long hard look at what has developed and the programs that were implemented.

1. The deputy force. Outstanding group of people. Extremely well trained, educated and motivated. I have met several members of the sheriffs office from the sheriff on down and was really impressed by the total sense of commitment and morale. Additionally, the civilian staff was of the same caliber. The county has been generous with funds in providing equipment for the deputy force and lab equipment for the staff. The labs are as well equipped and staffed as any that one would expect in many major cities.
   

2. Lack of Brutality. A major point regarding law enforcement in the county (and this includes the cities within). There is no “John Wayne” attitude. There is no police brutality, nor have any real complaints arisen that I am aware of. The Sheriff has a strict policy of monitoring all interfaces with the public be it law abiders or law breakers. Believe me, this is not the usual gushy throbbing heart liberal attitude. It is simply an acknowledgement that we are all humans and are entitled to be treated with courtesy.
   

3. Weed and Seed. This is an excellent program that is the implementation of the “broken windows”. Trouble spots are picked out and with State and county funding various projects are undertaken. Cleaning up of vacant lots, funds issued to repair and/or paint houses. In some cases houses are built and donated ala Habitat for Humanity. Pride of place begins also with community crime watch programs and awareness of troublemakers and their hangouts (i.e.: drughouses). All in all this work in progress seems to be working.
   

4. Troubled youth programs. The best way to prevent crime is to nip it in the bud so to speak. Kids that are truants and/or belligerent in school; kids with emotional problems, kids who are discipline problems for the parents. None have criminal records but are on the verge of acquiring one. It’s the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the kids attend. The kids are then drilled in a boot camp manner to get their attention. They are harangued and marched around for the first half of the day then attend classes the remainder of the day. A tour of the jail is in order as well as interviews with some of the inhabitants. The parents are also called in separately for classes in anger management and domestic discipline. This is the beginning of an ongoing series of programs which provide activities and programs which are too numerous to mention. Let me say that the volunteers are deputies working many hours on their own time and do it for the love of kids. Overall the program(s) are a resounding success and other government agencies really should look into this.
   

5. The jail. I’ve toured it. It’s modern and clean. The food is basic, no Club Med here. It houses anywhere from 800 to 1000 inmates at any one time. This is the only jail for the county so all the cities house their inmates there. Some federal inmates are housed there as well. The point of difficulty comes from the state prison system housing their overflows to achieve court mandated populations. While the county is recompensed, it pushes the capacity towards the limit. But this jail has an outstanding and innovative program. Hydroponic gardens. These greenhouses, tended by trustee female prisoners, provide most of the fruit and vegetable needs for the jail. As far as I know this is unique to any jail in the country. By the way the Sheriff’s office runs the jail so excellence is expected and achieved.
   

6. Felon Registration Program This is a program unique to the U.S.. All paroled felons must register within 48 hours after arrival or change of address within the county. Anyone can access the Sheriff’s webpage (http://www.seminolesheriff.org/). They can search by name, address or zip code and voila! all the details plus a mug shot appear. By the way this includes sexual predators as well. Each of the felons must carry the issued ID card or face a jail penalty. This could also endanger their parole status and possibly send them back to prison. I understand that the A.C.L.U. gave it a shot to have this cancelled, thankfully they were unsuccessful.
   

7. Public Awareness Program. The Sheriff’s office has a public relations staff of two, who are just as dedicated and motivated. Transparency is the name of the game. These people are always straight up with any news, no spin. Community Law Enforcement Academy:
   

This program is 19 weeks at 3 hours one night a week. It consists of a complete rundown and tours of all departments. This includes the above mentioned programs plus drug intervention, traffic control and DUI enforcement campaigns, investigations including homicides (not for the weak hearted), K-9 patrols, SWAT teams and their equipment and a morning at the firearms range and a chance to fire the weapons. Procedures are described for all the departments in great detail. Additionally, everyone is given the opportunity to ride with a deputy during a patrol shift. (I will have a complete column on this later)

With this glowing report you may think that I am on the force. Not so, I was a student of class 38, an ordinary concerned citizen who is much more informed about the efforts of the police in our county. As I said in the beginning, it would be well worth the time of other counties anywhere including larger cities to investigate the programs that are offered.