Q: As coronavirus protocols are loosening, what community programs will the sheriff’s office be starting back up?

A: The first big one we are pushing is our Civilian Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA). This gives participants an insiders’ perspective on law enforcement and how the criminal justice system works and includes things like a jail tour and meeting all the specialized units, like the dive team and the detective team. It meets every Tuesday night for three hours for two and a half months. My wife is in the first class since we started back up, which is meeting now. They graduate in June. 

We also have our WAVE (Women Against Violent Encounters) program. This actually started back in the 1990s with the St. Augustine Police Department for Flagler College students. Now, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead, but we work in tandem with the St. Augustine Police Department and the St. Augustine Beach Police Department. Classes are taught over two nights for three hours each night and are hosted by homeowner associations, churches, and other groups all over the county. The first night is a lecture format and the second night is hands on training. All instructors are women law enforcement officers. 

Q: Do you offer any programs for senior citizens?
A: This is an especially vulnerable population and our Community Affairs Unit, including Cpl. Greg Suchy and Deputy Tony Rodriguez have been visiting all the retirement and senior living facilities in the county to present programs on fraud and scams, especially online, against the elderly. We are trying to get out in front of crimes and try to prevent them. 

Q: How would one go about requesting one of these programs for their group or at their facility?
A: For any of our community programs, contact Cpl. Suchy with our Community Affairs Unit at gsuchy@sjso.org.

Q: What else is your office working on for community education?
A: We are in the process of teaming up with Wolfson Children’s Hospital to film some PSA videos regarding best practices to prevent drowning. The leading cause of unintentional death for children aged one to four and the second leading cause of unintentional death for children aged five to 14 is drowning. We hope these videos bring awareness to this. The number one factor in drowning is the lack of active supervision by adults. If your child is lost, the first place you should look is any nearby water source. We are hoping tips like this will keep our families safe.

Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you with any questions or suggestions about this article?

A: They can email me at sheriff@sjso.org or call me at (904) 824-8304. Also, our website, www.sjso.org has a wealth of resources, from alarm registration to Crime Stoppers to our Neighbors app.

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