Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

Nominated by:  Sgt. Josh Crews, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

Members of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit consist of Deputies Leo Lowe, David Tate and Crime Prevention Analyst Katie Fields.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit has been involved in many of the traditional crime prevention techniques during the 2010 – 2011 year.

Members of this unit are responsible for many programs including:  Safety Fairs, Crime Watch, Business Watch, Project Lifesaver, Public Education Presentations, CPTED / Security Surveys, Back to School Supply Drive and a Thanksgiving Food Drive.

This unit has also used their talents for several innovative crime prevention programs:

• Animal Abuse Task Force:  In January of 2011 they began working with the Rural Services Unit of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office to create a joint task force to address the issue of animal abuse.  In March the newly formed task force consisted of the Sheriff’s Office, Animal Services and the State Attorney’s Office.  The Crime Prevention Unit was tasked with educating the public about prevention and reporting animal abuse, while the Rural Services Unit and the Animal Services Unit were tasked with investigations.

Case in point:  In June of 2011 the task force investigated a possible animal hoarding/abuse case at a cat sanctuary; it was believed that 400+ cats were on site in poor condition.  A search warrant was executed on the property and as a result 697 cats and one rooster were rescued and the homeowner charged with 35 felonies.  The task force continues to work together and has turned out to be a great partnership and a successful tool in combating animal abuse in Alachua County.

• SWAG – South West Advocacy Group:  The unit assisted residents of southwest unincorporated Gainesville in forming a group to advocate for the needs in the area.  Members of the community came together in February of 2010 as a result of the closing of an after school program due to funding issues.  Since its conception, this organization has advocated for and received funding from the County Commission to purchase and renovate two buildings in a central location within the neighborhood area to serve as a resource center and health clinic.  Additionally, a lot was donated adjacent to these properties and it is to be developed into a playground.  SWAG received a grant from the local Rotary Club to pay for furnishings for the center and a local insurance agency donated money to develop the playground.  The Sheriff’s Office is pursuing grants to assist with renovations and crime prevention services for the community.  The resource center should be opened by the end of 2011, providing over 40 services to the community to address their needs.  The health clinic is scheduled to open in 2012 thanks to funding from the Urban Institute for Justice Reinvestment in an effort to prevent jail entry and reentry.

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