Keeping deputies on the road, in-service, and available to respond to citizens calls has always been a primary concern of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. To that end, in 2008 our office established a Prisoner Transport Unit (P.T.U.), in the sheriff’s office jurisdiction, with the goal of servicing our own deputies. The idea proved so efficient, that today the service is provided to all but four municipalities in the entire county.

The idea is a simple one. The Transport Unit is summoned to the scene where an arrest has been made, custody of the prisoner is transferred from the arresting deputy to the prisoner transport deputy, who subsequently transports the suspect to the Pinellas County Jail. At the very moment that the transfer is made, the arresting deputy is free once again and available to respond to the next call for service.

Clearwater Police Chief Sid Klein announced his retirement at the conclusion of his monthly staff meeting on August 13th. He gave his official six-month notice; setting Jan. 29, 2010 as his last day.

Chief Klein began his career with the Clearwater Police Department on Jan. 5, 1981. During his command, Chief Klein has recruited, trained and retained top caliber people in the law enforcement profession. He has also established an international reputation for CPD as a professional and progressive police agency.

In the near future, our congressional and legislative leaders will be making decisions which could determine the future quality of our water, beach, and marine life. Educating our communities will be a key factor in influencing our critical votes in Washington and Tallahassee.

CLEARWATER, FL -  Businesses, neighborhood associations, and other organizations with at least six members are invited to volunteer to work with the city on various outdoor service projects. Groups may do one project, multiple projects or participate in the adopt-a-park program. In exchange for their hard work, the group will experience the reward of making a visible difference that everyone can enjoy, and the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile.

Summer is upon us, temperatures are soaring and what better way to keep children entertained and cool than an afternoon by the swimming pool. A dark side of a summer in the sun is that a sparkling swimming pool can also be a serious summer hazard. Unfortunately, when the temperature goes up, so does the number of accidental drownings involving children. The backyard pool is a magnet for children of all ages.

I am often approached by citizens wishing to contribute their time and energy to the community. Allow me to suggest the Sheriff’s Citizens Patrol Volunteer Program as a wonderful way to help out.

As a member of the Citizens Patrol, you will have an opportunity to serve side by side with our deputy sheriffs and perform a variety of valuable services for our citizens and visitors to Pinellas County. Some of the responsibilities include seizing and recovering found property, assisting with disabled motor vehicles, directing traffic at crash scenes, issuing parking tickets, participating in community events, child fingerprinting and vacation house checks,to name a few.

Next month the Sheriff’s Office will begin enforcing a new County Alarm Ordinance. The ordinance, which will become effective on July 1, 2009, will require home and business owners to register their alarm systems with our office, or face the possibility of being fined for any false alarms which may occur at the home or business.

Pinellas County, FL.

We recently announced the implementation of a new program at the Sheriff’s Office called “Project Lifesaver”. It is a program that I feel will provide peace of mind to those Pinellas County citizens who are caregivers for a family member or other persons who have Alzheimer’s, autism or related special needs.

Our deputy sheriffs and police officers from other agencies have contact with these individuals on a regular basis as many of them are known to walk away from their residence, become disoriented or lost. Frantic family members and caregivers then search for these persons, who many times do not wander far, but may become vulnerable to the elements, their lack of medication and possible foul play.