Creeklover

Did anyone know the South Walton SO Station has been closed except M-F 8-5 excluding holidays. I went there the other evening and it was closed and there was a phone out front. After talking to some i found out the dispatch was moved north to DFS and a Sworn officer sits at the desk in the front during the day to take complaints.

rolling dune

I went to the SO Sub on Friday afternoon around 2:30. I too picked up the phone and after 13 rings was told that the dispatch had been moved "up north". I was asked what I needed and when I stated my bizness, I asked if there was no one in the building and she told me no. I was told to wait there and she would send a deputy. He drove up a mintue later.

scooterbug44

I didn't think it WAS staffed outside of business hours.
I know the deputies are working at all hours, but figured there wasn't office personnel there outside the average work day.

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

wrobert

I thought when RJ was in office and did not get his requested budget increase, he laid off a bunch of the office workers in order to keep more sworn deputies on the street.

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Creeklover

Yes but the dispatchers staffed the station 24/7 and the public was able to come in for help and dispatch would help them. When Mike took over he demoted Lt. Mitchem and placed him at the desk to assist the public. So now they haft to send a deputy over to the station everytime someone needs something?? When having a it open all the time was like having our own police station in SOWAL. Now all of the SO dispatchers are in one place what if something happens to the dispatch center in DFS when they were in the south end they could answer the northends calls and the smae the other way. now they are all in one place.

wrobert

Are all the sowal fire dispatchers in one place?

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Alan Osborne

I don't care if it was a RJ policy or is a Mike A policy. This is the point, it's spring Break, this end of the county is the Beach at spring break, the most accidents and most calls will be generated from South Walton this time of year. The permanent residents need a sheriff's station open closer than DefuniaK 24/7 this time of year and probably all year long. According to Patrick Pilcher at the recent Tax payers association 89.1 % of the county tax revenue is generated south of 331 bridge. If we want South Walton to be different from Destin and Panama City at Spring Break we must maintain a strong law enforcement presence and strong emergency personnel presence. Who decided, or who got demoted isn't the issue, it's public safety and preservation of our economic and property/ way of life base or we'll have no schools, parks and community services. It's a fragile line we walk between needs and wants of a community versus the politics of it all.

" This view from the cheap seats is pretty dang clear"
Alan

FF 2

Yes, yes they are as to SoWal Fire communication personnel.

I don't know, is it efficient use of the funds to place a live contact person at a window in the SoWal substatation, I will say that it seems unreasonable to to have the phone ring 12 or 13 times before someone answers it.

Also, is SO not using the South end facility for holding arrestees??? before they send them North, and if they are is there a jailer there that could be answering questions or manning the phones? If they are sending the arrestee??? North what if they have more than one throughout the same time frame, does that mean there are a reduced number of Deputies as they take arrestee's??? North?

Creeklover

The south end substation has not been used to hold Arrestees since RJ gave the CJ back to the county. The deputies from the was i understand it is they go north to the CJ when they arrest someone.


All of SWFD dispatchers are in one place but North Walton can dispatch all SWFD units if needed and SWFD can dispatch north units if needed.

I do not know if the county dispatch center can dispatch SO units or not. Maybe DFSPD can dispatch if needed..

FF 2

Boy, that sounds like a lot of travel and then I'll bet the check in time is long.

Smiling JOe

Before reading this post, I had no idea that any individual needing the Sheriff's Dept would actually drive to the Sheriff's Office. I've always been taught to call 9-1-1.

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scooterbug44

The only reason I would GO to the Sheriff's substation is if I was in its immediate area and someone creepy was following me.

Otherwise it's 911 or the non-emergency number (where they are very nice about telling me who I should be calling for my current issue - found dog, SUV taking out stop signs etc.)

__________________
"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

wrobert

Actually the office is about six miles north of DeFuniak Springs. And we deserve at least the respect of spelling the name of our city correctly.

Could I see a show of hands of everyone who has contacted the Sheriff about this matter? He is a pretty easy guy to talk with when not chasing murderers and other law breakers.

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rolling dune

For the record. I opted to visit the sheriff's dept. after speaking with code enforcement by phone. I was told that my situation is handled by the SO. Instead of calling 911 or the 267
number I went in person to perhaps get some advice on how to address this particular problem. Let me also clarify....I love our live music here. That was not the issue.

teamc

wow. i'm surprised to hear that doesn't exist!

Alan Osborne

Sorry Robert, it was late when I posted. I'll do better.

wrobert

No problem. From what I am reading you had your hands full today.

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Creeklover

I needed to go there today for a finger print card and when i went about 9:00am i found the office closed and i used their phone on the outside wall and was told that the substation had been closed to the public for good. I was also told if i needed finger prints that i would haft to go to the North SO office 31 miles away by google and a 45 min. drive. I ask if a deputy could do it and was advised that a person who was certified in fingerprinting was required. I ask about the deputy who sit at the desk in the office and was advised he was moved to Paxton School.

scooterbug44

Why couldn't you go to someone in the Annex for that?
I just don't understand why with a Clerk of Court, Tax Collector, etc, across the street the Sheriff Substation needs office staff. Or what need there is for office staff during off hours at a location w/ no booking.
I went to Appalachicola and they had a trailer that was there THAT DAY so people could get our daily services, so I am running low on the outrage when noone has demonstrated a change in service level.

__________________
"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

Oath

The SoWal Substation used to be open and staffed 24/7. Investigators, Narcotics, Patrol and Admin were all in that building. SoWal Dispatchers also were in there.

Two separate issues here; Dispatch and SO Staff.

As for Dispatch, it is good that they are consolidating the dispatch, it is and has been a mess.

As for SO Staff, that is of concern. It is Spring Break and with the way things are today, I would feel it very appropriate to have that multimillion dollar building staffed 24/7. SoWal residents deserve much more then a phone out side, we pay a majority of the damn taxes, provide us with service.

Here is a game, when you go to work, start to count the number of SO Officers you see during your day. Keep a little log. Break it down by Sandestin Area, Santa Rosa Beach Area and Inlet Beach Area. Let's see where everyone is... If you want to get creative, break it down by Beach Patrol and Regular Patrol. Maybe you can even request a calls for service account of that day and see the productivity.

I am tired of walking the beach and seeing bottles and dogs off leashes. I also saw grown adults "playing on the dunes". Where is the Beach Partrol? Oh, they are at Sandestin, much more important. At least we have the fine men and women of the SWFD, unfortunately they do not have authority to cite any of the numerous violators. Keep in mind this would also generate revenue for the County (fines that is).

When will deputies been patrolling our neighborhoods? I have not seen one in two months... With the new 12 hour shifts, I would think more feet on the street and not in a seat up north eah?

Smiling JOe

Jdarg reported a few months ago on SoWal.com that the Sheriff's substation was no longer being used for fingerprints, so this isn't new news. You guys also may have missed that last year, the Sheriff's helicopter and AirHeart 1 was relocated to Defuniak Springs rather than South Walton.

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idlewind

I think it is a crock that I have to drive to DeFuniak to get basic services like fingerprinting or copies of reports when my tax dollars paid for a perfectly good building in SRB to house those services in. You would think 89% of the take would get us better. I don't care where the 911 and helicopter are housed though. Seems like consolidating would save money if positions are eliminated.

Creeklover

The SO helicopter still flies out of the south end i seen them there the other day. they do have 2 helicopters though.


The issue i have is you cannot get finger printed any where but a law enforcement office that i know of. Also i receicved finger printing there just last month and i spoke with the deputy at the desk and he said they were moving the dispatch north and he would be the only one left in the office but a space for deputies to do paperwork.

They moved all personall out of this building and put them up north. Now if you need a investigator to work a crime then they must come from DFS.

Creeklover

Tell me one other place that is as big as SOWAL in out area i must drive 31 miles to take care of bussiness with the SO.

wrobert

I thought Pennington gave McMillian the money for that station.

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wrobert

I had to drive to Pensacola to get some sort of a license a few years ago from the State. I thought that was pretty bad considering Ft. Walton and PC have pretty good populations. I would have gladly only driven 31 miles instead of the 95 I had to drive.

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FF 2

I thought Pennington gave the money for the hangar, at least I think there is a plaque out there indicating that.

wrobert

Not sure. Just what I had always heard. He gave so much money to various projects down there.

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Andy A.

wrobert, you well know two wrongs don't make a right. It is ludicrous for us to have the population we have this time of year and literally law enforcement is 31 miles away. I know deputies patrol, but how often? I haven't seen one since the one that came to our walkover on a complaint from Bella Vita about someone looking through binoculars at their units. It was me and a board member looking at deteriorating flashing on the underside of their roof. The point is we don't see much of a Sheriff's presence on Blue Mt. Beach. I, for one, would like to see more of one since it is a fact the majority of the taxes collected in this county come from South of the bay.

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Congress only does two things well...Nothing at all and overreacting.

FF 2

Realizing the South end of our County pays the lions share of taxes does not necessarily mean the County does not have just as much of a responsibility to the rest of it. There are numerous folks out there who want taxes reduced and it will hit all divisions, and sub divisions of the County, which may a require a change in a way service is delivered. Whether this is the case with the closing of the sub station, I don't know.

SWGB

I find it interesting the the South end of the county provides 89.1% of the revenue, but only has a 40% say in how that money is spent. I feel like the "tax watchdogs" are pulling the wool over our eyes. Why are we in the South expected to be taxed without representation? Was any of this brought up at the local tea party? I doubt it.

The 2010 census is coming up and that means that the county can redistrict. Why do I get the distinct impression that this is consider some sort of anarchy by the North end?

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FF 2

I would venture a guess that when redistricting comes SoWal will not have a solid 40% representation. Oh wait, do we really have that now?

wrobert

You do realize that we do not operate under a democracy?

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wrobert

No a matter of wrongs making a right. It is a matter of what level of service that people are willing to pay for. I am still waiting to hear back from anyone that has spoken to the Sheriff about their concerns and see what his future plans are. I would only hope that law enforcement is being deployed in some matter other than sending more to the places that pay the most taxes. I always though that sort of thing would be based on where the most crime was occurring.

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goodwitch58

I sent an email to the Sheriff--could not find an address for a Public Information Officer--email came back as "invalid address" the Sheriff's website is "under construction" so I guess the emails don't work

Sent an email to Chris Mitchell the Couty PIO to see if he could shed any light; so far no answer.

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

SWGB

Are you that shocked on a Friday afternoon? Good luck if you ever get a response from Chris Mitchell.

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wrobert

Did you send it to madkinson@waltonso.org? I think his secretary is tgodwin@waltonso.org. sheriff@waltonso.org also might get to him. Chris Mitchell said that the SO website is suppose to be online next month at a meeting I attended on Thursday.

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goodwitch58

Well, I actually did get a response from Chris: he said he would look into and get back to me on Monday.:

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

Oath

As I understand it, the Substation will be open everyday, from 8am to 5pm to "serve our needs". I think it should be staffed 24/7. Yes, deputies have access to the building, but someone travelling through town or just passing by should have a safe building to go into and report an incident or crime.

Many people also use the local police/sheriffs offices to do a child exchange, when there is visitation, etc.

SoWal pays a lot of $$$ to this county, we deserve better service.

idlewind

So which is it, is it closed or is it open 8-5? If it is open during business hours and you can get the usual services, then that would be OK. If it is closed and I am required to drive to DFS to get a report or fingerprinting, etc, then that is unacceptable. 24/7 office hours are not realistic. No other government office maintains such hours.

idlewind

I don't care where the money came from to build it, it still belongs to the taxpayers now and is supposed to be used to provide service.

rolling dune

So...Per my earlier post as to my 2:30ish visit to the SO substation and meeting with a deputy last Friday. He told me things were very busy (which I totally understood), but assured me he would check into my complaint and give me a call on Saturday. I thanked him and went on my way. Here I am one week later and no phone call, no response and the problem continues. I am a patient person for the most part, however I am not feeling the love.

sophie branson

In reference to the sustation being closed. I am very famaliar with Walton County though I do not currently reside there. I even know more than the average person on how the sheriffs office operates. I was told that all of Adkinson's command staff do not live in Walton County but Okaloosa County. I do not know this to be the truth maybe someone can find out.
If it is true this could be the reason the sub is now closed. If the guys calling the shots do not live in Walton County they might not have as much interest as the guys from Walton County.
I love Walton County and visiting the beautiful beaches. If am there on vacatio it will be nice to have law enforcement availible. The citizens of Walton county were relentless on Johnson about having emloyees that lived in Alabama, regardless, if you dont live in the county you just are not as interested when it comes to issues such as the sub. Johnson was ran out of town but never in a million years would have neglected the south end or any other part of the county. The voters just picked another sheriff who is a little better at pulling off the same stunts he's just better at hiding them. I dont know. I was wanted to retire in south Walton but I just don't know.

scooterbug44

Open 8-5 every day seems more than reasonable to me - those are longer hours than all the other government buildings/services.

As far as stopping by to report a crime outside those hours, the SWFD has a 911 phone by its front door for after hours use. Does the Substation have one too?

Many people who work in Walton County don't live in Walton County, so I don't think that is the reason for the substation being closed.

__________________
"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

wrobert

Maybe I am wrong but I think it is open 7 days a week till 7 at night.

All of his command staff do not live in Okaloosa County. I have been to the homes of three of them, and did so without crossing a county line. One of them lives just a couple or so miles from my house.

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Creeklover

I went there again on Monday and it was CLOSED and i picked up the phone and it was answered by a dispatcher in the north. They said the Substation was CLOSED to the public and ask what i needed and i told them i needed a report and was told to go to DFS to get it.

goodwitch58

I spoke with Tammy in the Sherrif's office this morning--she called in response to the inquiry I had made to Chris Mitchell last Friday afternoon.

The SO does not presently have a Public Information Officer, but they are recruiting for one.

Tammy says the Sub-station is open; it had been closed temporarily because of staffing issues. Apparently, they rearranged some staff because of the homicide investigation that is ongoing and the fact that they are shorthanded because of staff being called to active military duty.

She says that the Sub-station is open for all the business that has always been conducted there except for Dispatch. That function has been moved to the DFS office, but the 267-2000 number will go directly to Dispatch and no member of the public should be inconvenienced because the office is in DFS, the deputies who will respond are in SoWalton.

I specifically asked her about Fingerprinting--she said that is still available at the Annex; and one is still able to pick up accident reports, etc.

I had also asked Gwen Break at The Sun to check into the issue; Tammy said that both she and the sheriff had given an interview to The Sun yesterday so all the information should be in this week's edition.

During the summer Tammy said the Annex would be open extended hours...check the newspaper article for specifics; I did not write it all down as I was in my car when I was talking with her.

So., I am not sure where the confusion lies in all of this--but, it appears that the official statement is that the Sub-station is open for business as usual and will be open even longer hours during the peak summer months.

Hope this helps.

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

Creeklover

Thank you. When i went to the subststion there was NO one there and i used the phone and the dispatcher told me i had to go to DFS as they had closed that office. I think there was a lack of communication with in the sheriffs office.

scooterbug44

Considering the double digit unemployment in many counties, one would think it would be rather easy to fill empty positions.

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

SWGB

Sheriff's Deputy is not a job you just fill with any yahoo that can write their name on a job application and wants a government issued gun. I'd much rather go with a shortage while competent, qualified, and eligible employees are found.

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