April 01, 2015

5 Points with Sheriff Ken Mascara

By: Steve Casey

The job of Sheriff, once thought of as a local position, now requires a global focus. In addition to fighting the effects of crime in their communities these men and women must work with other law-enforcement agencies on a statewide, federal and even international level to strike at the roots of the problems. We recently sat down with St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara to learn a little more about him and what is happening with his community. 

Check out 5 points with Sheriff Mascara.

1. What is the most pressing public issue that faces your county, and why?

Untreated mental illness which afflicts about 10 percent of the county’s population. Community mental health funds have been slashed nationwide and in Florida. Sadly, many St. Lucie County residents with mental illness are in the county jail. Currently, one-third of our jail population — 400 inmates — have some form of mental illness.

2. If visitors could see or do one thing in your county, what would it be, and why? 

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum on North Hutchinson Island, St. Lucie County. Our county was the venue for the training of the SEALS of World War II, called “Frogmen” at the time, and their predecessors, the Naval Combat Demolition Units and Underwater Demolition Teams. Visitors to the museum can see for themselves the high degree of training of our SEALS and the great sacrifices these men made to keep our nation free.

3. If you could allow a celebrity to be “Sheriff for a Day” in your county, who would it be, and why? 

It would be President Obama, so he could see firsthand the challenges faced by our Deputies and the dangers they face every day in their work.

4. Describe your single greatest achievement as Sheriff.

Leading the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office into the 21st Century as a modern, effective criminal justice agency that creatively matches human and technological resources to keep our county safe.

5. Is there a case that still haunts you today? If so, why?

The January 2006 disappearance of Dori Ann Myers, then 43. She was taken from her northern St. Lucie County home in the middle of the night by two men who set her home on fire with her beloved pets inside and abandoned her Toyota 80 miles away in Glades County, where it also was set on fire. I want to bring closure to her family by bringing her murderers to justice.

To learn more about Sheriff Mascara and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, visit http://www.stluciesheriff.com/  

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