Florida Sheriffs Task Force Nets Nearly 12,000 Felony Arrests During Operation “Felon Sweep”
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Nanette Schimpf, APR, CPRC
Moore Communications Group
850-224-0174(o) 850-528-2639(c)
For Immediate Release
Florida Sheriffs Task Force Nets Nearly 12,000 Felony Arrests During Operation “Felon Sweep”
October 25, 2012 (Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) today announced that a three-week operation of the Florida Sheriffs Task Force (FSTF) resulted in 11,875 felons being removed from the streets. Operation Felon Sweep combined the strengths of 43 Sheriffs’ Offices from September 28 – October 22, 2012, and focused on removing violent felons and felons with outstanding warrants off the streets. This was a concentrated effort that included targeted enforcement activities as well as adding extra resources to highlight the role Sheriffs and their teams play in crime reduction.
Operation Felon Sweep was an aggressive initiative that included proactive enforcement efforts to locate elusive felons, enhance law enforcement presence in certain higher crime areas, provide additional patrols and resources to combat violent crime, and one of the most comprehensive and intense efforts to check the whereabouts and activities of sexual predators and offenders across the state.
“When the safety of Florida’s citizens is threatened, our Sheriffs have developed the resources to act swiftly and strategically to address the issue at hand,” said Sheriff Grady Judd, Florida Sheriffs Task Force Chair. “FSA is proud of this sweep and the many other successes resulting from great work by the Florida Sheriffs Task Force.”
The Sheriffs of the State of Florida and their deputies work each day to combat threats to the safety of our citizenry and protect their quality of life. Operation Felon Sweep focused primarily on violent felons with outstanding warrants and sexual offenders and predators from our communities. Past initiatives have targeted cyber sexual predators, prescription drug abusers and “deadbeat dads,” and resulted in arrests statewide.
“Felony crimes are considered most dangerous, and the Florida Sheriffs Association is proud to lead this initiative to get the most serious criminals off the streets,” said Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton, FSA President. “The Florida Sheriffs Task Force will continue to work tirelessly to make Florida one of the safest states in the country.”
The Florida Sheriffs Task Force pools resources from the 67 Sheriffs’ Offices to address specific areas of concern. The Florida Sheriffs Task Force also is the point of contact for statewide initiatives, including helping to staff the State Emergency Operations Center and coordinating Sheriffs' offices responses to storm-ravaged communities during hurricanes and other disasters.
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The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has quietly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit [url=http://www.flsheriffs.org]http://www.flsheriffs.org[/url].
