- April 19, 2024
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The following is a news release from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office:
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office joins the Flagler County school district on Friday, Feb. 5, to celebrate “Crossing Guard Appreciation Day’’ with a special reception at 9:30 a.m. at Buddy Taylor Middle School.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has proclaimed Friday as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day to remind everyone that school crossing guards keep schoolchildren safe as they travel to and from school. “State and local governments place top priority on child safety . . . ,’’ the proclamation states. And, “crossing guards provide an invaluable service to our communities and deserve special recognition for their tireless efforts.’’
“Every day our crossing guards can be seen near schools, making sure schoolchildren cross roads safely,’’ Sheriff James L. Manfre said. “We honor and commend them for the important job they do.’’ The eight crossing guards are part-time employees of the Sheriff’s Office. Their training involves eight hours and they are recertified annually.
Friday’s reception includes a presentation by School Superintendent Jacob Oliva. “Flagler Schools values the dedication of the men and women who brave the elements every school day to make sure our children make it safely to school,’’ school district spokesman Jason Wheeler said. The Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to thank crossing guards Friday and to be alert when approaching school zones.
The following is a news release from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office:
Two employees of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were among 10 people honored as public safety officers: Amy Sisti, communications supervisor, was named Communications Officer of the Year, and Senior Commander Mark Carman was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
The public safety awards were presented the night of Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Palm Coast Elks Club. Honorees were nominated by their peers and reviewed by a panel of public safety representatives and volunteers from outside Flagler County. The awards are an effort to build relationships between area agencies. The inaugural event was spearheaded by Kevin Guthrie, Flagler County public safety emergency manager. It spotlighted local public safety officers who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day duties.
Sisti, who has served the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) for 23 years, was honored for helping guide a Palm Coast family through an unexpectedly fast home delivery of their second child Dec. 20, 2015. The Sheriff’s Office received a call at 3:35 a.m. saying Brittany Bowser was in labor and was about to have the baby at home. Within minutes, baby Jaxson was racing to appear. Throughout the tense 911 call in which Brittany Bowser could be heard screaming in pain in the background, Sisti calmly directed Bowser’s husband Jason to help in the delivery.
Senior Commander Carman is responsible for the Palm Coast Precinct, the Citizens Observer Program and coordination of all special events. He has served the FCSO since 1987, with a two-year absence when he left the Sheriff’s Office to pursue another public position with the city of Palm Coast. He was rehired in October 2008. Carman was nominated for his knowledge and his ability to use NIMS and ICS and planning and implementing special events. His coordination ensures that all agencies function together while making sure cooperation and safety are of paramount importance during special events.
“I am extremely proud of Senior Commander Carman and Supervisor Sisti for all that they continue to do for the FCSO and the community we serve. As evidenced by the other award nominations and recipients, it should be abundantly clear we have excellent public safety and health professionals who on a daily basis make this a great community," said Flagler County Sheriff James L. Manfre.
The following is a news release from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office:
Everyone’s invited to the second law enforcement Polar Plunge, featuring a dip in refreshingly cool water, costume contests, music and refreshments, to benefit Special Olympics.
This family-friendly event is set for 10 a.m. at Veterans Park in Flagler Beach on Saturday, Feb. 6. It is sponsored by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagler Sheriff’s Police Athletic League, and the Bunnell and Flagler Beach police departments.
All proceeds from this event help to raise money for the Flagler County Special Olympics Athletes. Special Olympics Florida helps provide year-round sports training and competition for more than 31,000 people with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to help our Special Olympics athletes,’’ said Sheriff James L. Manfre. “I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this worthy event.’’
Individuals or teams can participate. Registration is $12 for individuals or $50 for a team of five. Best individual costumes for kids and adults will be awarded, as well as best team costume and the team with the most spirit.
Registration is from 10-11 a.m. Saturday. You must register to participate. If you don’t want to get wet, you can still buy a T-shirt that says “I’m Too Chicken to Take the Plunge.’’ For more information, call 386-586- 2655 or visit flaglersheriffspal.org online.
The following is a news release from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office:
School resource deputies at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office are celebrating being assigned a 2010 Ford Explorer that will be used for community outreach, with particular focus on youth. The vibrantly wrapped SUV will be shared among the area’s six school resource deputies at community events and especially to attract the attention of schoolchildren.
“This is a simple tool the Sheriff’s Office can use to reach kids in our community and during all kinds of events,” Sheriff James L. Manfre said.
“We wanted to go with something positive,” said School Resource Deputy Ralph Lilavois, who serves at Rymfire, Old Kings and Bunnell elementaries. “The kids love it. Kids recognize it as a sheriff’s car. It’s going to open a lot of doors for us.”
The vehicle, which was unassigned and not being utilized, will now be driven in parades and other community events, and used at school activities and even during the summer program “Dusk With Deputies,” in which sheriff’s deputies spend time with children in parks during the summer months from 6-9 p.m., Lilavois said. Acquiring the vehicle for this type of use is a big deal for the agency, school resource deputies said.
The Sheriff’s Office works closely with the Flagler County School District to provide a consistent presence at schools. School resource deputies handle calls for service at their schools, along with providing education and counseling on law-related topics to students, faculty and staff.
The following is a news release from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office:
Sheriff James L. Manfre praised the volunteers of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Observer Program (COP) Jan. 27, whose members’ work translates into thousands of volunteering hours each year to serve the community and assist deputies.
Fifty-four members of the COP contributed volunteer hours in 2015, ranging from 205 hours up to 2,385 hours. They were recognized Wednesday at a luncheon at the Sheriff’s Office. Manfre said the COPs close the gap with their commitment. “We simply couldn’t do all we do without our Citizen Observers,’’ he said. “These people are my life. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them,” said COP Major Sonia Byrne. “Every single COP is completely dedicated to the cause.’’ Byrne herself has served as a COP for 14 years at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO).
The volunteers were honored in three groups: those who chalked up 1,000 hours or more, 500-999 hours or 200 to 499 hours. Six COPs received plaques and certificates for donating more than 1,000 hours. They are: Evelyn Gomes, 1,028; Gerry Dickens, 1,075; Rosemarie Passaro, 1,086; Steve Fields, 1,103; Michael Muller, 1,327; and Byrne, 2,385 hours. Thirty-six people racked up 200-499 hours of service and received certificates. Thirteen accumulated 500 to 999 hours of service and received certificates and special coins.
The COPs are trained to perform a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:
• Serving at Sheriff’s Office substations; answering phone calls, fingerprinting adults for jobs, distributing forms for gun permits, registering burglar alarms and arranging house watches.
• Providing funeral escort services, traffic control, and traffic crash investigations.
• Staffing special events and programs; parades, sporting events, safety programs and charity
runs.
• Administer the STAR of Approval Program offered free to residents. Designed to help
homeowners make their home safer against burglaries and deterring possible intruders.
In 2015, the COP amassed the following statistics:
For more about programs or to become a COP, please call Major Sonia Byrne at 586-2621.
The following is a news release from the city of Palm Coast communications office:
Palm Coast Fire Lt. Jennifer Fiveash was named Public Safety Firefighter of the Year, and Palm Coast Volunteer Fire Police Capt. Steve Garnes was named Public Safety Volunteer Firefighter of the Year at the Public Safety Awards banquet held Sunday.
The Palm Coast firefighters were among 10 people honored at the first annual awards program, held at the Palm Coast Elks Club.
Fiveash joined the Palm Coast Fire Department in October 2003 and was promoted to lieutenant in August 2014. She serves on the countywide EMS Advisory Committee, and is a Field Training Officer for Palm Coast Fire Department.
Garnes is captain of the Fire Police, which controls the traffic at emergency scenes. Since he became a volunteer with Palm Coast Fire, he has never missed a single call for service for the Fire Police.
“It is dedicated people like Jenn and Steve who make our community what it is,” said Palm Coast Fire Chief Mike Beadle. “We are like the postman: neither rain nor snow nor hurricane nor tornado keeps our responders from doing their jobs. I couldn't be happier or prouder of these two, and all the members of our department.”
Honored as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year was Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Sr. Cmdr. Mark Carman, who serves as the Sheriff’s Office’s liaison to the city of Palm Coast for law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement for the city of Palm Coast.
Other award recipients were:
