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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIA S) ~ ,¡¡/ ~
December 1, 2005 1;
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT: I
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
11/05 10/05 9/05 8/05 7/05 6/05 5/05 4/05 3/05
Ft Pierce Public Works 0 0 50 0 0 0 50 0 235
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 0 50 43 0 0 0 165 72 264
Treasure Coast Food Bank 439 410 165 290 607 302 364 426 499
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 0 204 530 341 50 398 230 50 110
PSL Parks Dept. 608 231 522 516 462 609 972 658 290
PSL Public Works 0 0 0 0 0 55 100 143 50
PSL Police Dept. 25 0 24 111 40 0 50 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 327 0
Salvation Army 50 70 0 40 4 50 121 84 38
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 232 1,194 70 20 61 103 0 0 0
Goodwill Industries 281 249 339 646 533 614 749 489 534
Miscellaneous Agencies 2.033 1.509 1.883 2.778 1.849 2.074 3.058 2.922 1.649
3,668 3,917 3,626 4,742 3,656 4,205 4,925 3,389 5,419
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT):
St. Lucie Sheriff's Office
Port St. Lucie Police Dept.
Florida Highway Patrol
Fort Pierce Police Dept.
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee
Nov. 2005
$2,550.00
$2,000.00
$-0-
$2,800.00
$-0-
Oct. 2005
$1,807.50
$3,250.00
$ -0-
$ 900.00
$ -0-
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious affiliations. The workers
are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL:
Mark Godwin, Criminal Justice Coordinator, reported that the legislature will soon be in session
and there are some areas that the Concerned Citizens group may be helpful.
Probation violators are housed in SLC jail. A survey was done reflecting information on
probation violators that are in custody. In a letter to the Florida Senate from Mr. Godwin, he
mentions that approximately 33% of the inmate population in the SLC jail is for violation of
probation offenders awaiting a hearing. These probation violators include "technical violations"
along with new offenses. Many of the technicals are positive urinalysis results from cannabis.
The average length of stay in SLC for offenders on violation status ranges from 60 to 90 days
before their hearing occurs. Counties are paying this $50 per day burden. Due to a "no bond
zero tolerance probation" our county jail population has escalated to record levels.
Correspondence received from our Dept. of Corrections Circuit Administrator recommended
than an internal DOC policy change would result in less "no bond" warrants being issued and
the discretion would be left to the Judiciary. The current policy is that everything has to go
through the judge. Legislatively this could be changed. Certain violations could be!l~ided by
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the probation officer. The Florida Sheriff's Association has identified this as a major issue to
bring before the session. The League of Counties is also bringing this issue to the legislature.
The St. Lucie County Legislative Funding and Issues Requests were discussed. This included
Community Budget Issue Requests and Legislative Issue Requests. Budget issue requests
include county jails housing state prisoners.
The GPS system is starting within the next few days for pre-trial offenders. The judge can order
areas prohibited by individuals and alarms will go off notifying if they violate. Information on
their prior record and convictions is reported to the judge to determine if they would be a
candidate for the program. As the pre-trial program grows, the possibility of using GPS at the
end of their jail time is envisioned. They can be home under lockdown with GP A.
The county rolled out data integration lines which should reduce the paperwork lag at booking.
When a person is booked into county jail information will ultimately generate to the Clerk's
office and State Attorney's office. This was a recommendation made by the survey mentioned
earlier.
Officers have the discretion to issue a Notice to Appear instead of having the person go to jail for
shoplifting, uttering forged instrument, etc. Fort Pierce had 35 in the month of October. The
Booking Department can also issue the Notice to Appear. This is being tracked monthly.
The growth in the community has created strains on the infrastructure. Money is needed on the
front end. Identify early on in the juvenile and at risk population. Programs and funding make
a difference such as the Drop Out Prevention program, etc., to give them hope. Mental Health
inmates are 20% of the jail population. A 20 bed facility is to be funded for crisis individuals. A
Crisis Unit will evaluate and get them on medication, etc. A Mental Health Court will keep track
of the follow up of these individuals.
A $100,000 grant is available for Gang Prevention. More and more kids are becoming involved
in gangs. Peer pressure is being placed on kids to be in a gang. The Shared Services Executive
Roundtable of St. Lucie County has been around for close to 20 years. It includes all agencies
that deal with children's issues. Each agency helps fund the Roundtable out of their budget.
The Executive Director for the Roundtable is Christine Epps. A Steering Committee brings the
issues to the Roundtable. They were concerned about gangs in the schools. A Request for
Proposal invited qualified agencies or individuals to submit a proposal for services culminating
in the publication and implementation of a Comprehensive Community-wide Strategic Plan for
Gang Prevention and Abatement specifically designed to meet the needs of St. Lucie County.
The objectives of the project are (1) completion of a thorough problem assessment and analysis,
(2) development of a comprehensive strategic plan to address the problem, and (3)
implementation of the plan.
The Rocket docket was put together by Chief Judge Robey for a new docketing system to move
the cases through the process faster. 59 individuals have gone into that process.
The Public Safety Coordinator Council will be held December 29. The 17 member council will
discuss issues including the county corrections system.
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COURT ISSUES:
We need information systems to share information between law enforcement, judges, Clerk of
Court, etc. It should be statewide for everyone to plug into. This wiD make the court system
operate more efficiently. Software programs to communicate with all agencies are needed and
should be state funded.
CORE:
Community service hours are decreasing. Compared to a year ago, they are down 2,000 cases.
Arrests are being made but offenders are not being placed on probation. The numbers for
October and November were also affected by the hurricane. Funds are down for what would
normally go to the Clerk's office. CORE budget is down as a result. Case loans have been
shifted. One officer has been moved out of Fort Pierce.
Nationally some categories of crime have gone down. The number of fIlings by the State
Attorney's office will be checked. It was mentioned that the Floridacourts.org web site also has
statistics on state filings.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. January 5. 2005, at 12:00 Noon
at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS
JULY 7, 2005
J /). H /tf'
1-f/1i))
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The June CORE numbers were not available for this meeting. The monthly figures for
community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
5/05 4/05 3/05 2/05 12/04 11/04 10/04 9/04 5/04
Ft Pierce Public Works 0 50 0 235 100 0 116 52 0
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 165 72 264 150 110 0 68 0 100
Treasure Coast Food Bank 364 426 499 472 564 320 741 322 610
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 230 50 110 100 445 100 0 0 240
PSL Parks Dept. 972 658 290 1,001 652 907 790 250 1,283
PSL Public Works 100 143 50 0 0 0 0 0 0
PSL Police Dept. 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 19 0
St. Lucie County Schools 0 327 0 0 175 90 0 0 29
Salvation Army 121 84 38 67 97 71 221 104 153
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 0 0 0 202 0 90 0 8
Goodwill Industries 749 489 534 589 205 795 264 205
Miscellaneous Agencies 3.058 2.922 1.649 2.810 2.599 3.098 3.008 1.498 3.306
5,859 4,925 3,389 5,419 5,533 4,791 5,829 2,509 5,986
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious affiliations. The workers
are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
SLC SHERIFFS OFFICE:
The SLC jail population today is 1,203. Over the 4th of July weekend it was 1,207. The average
weekly population has been in the 1190's for some time now. The jail was built to house 756
inmates. With the added bunks (no toilets/no showers) the capacity was increased to 969. Staff
is in place to open one of the new pods which will house another 256 inmates. However, the
Commissioners are now questioning whether to open it. Programs to reduce jail population were
recommended by a recent outside study but the programs won't be put into place for 12-18
months. The Sheriff's Office has received 26 letters of intent to sue over jail overcrowding. They
noted lack of toilets, showers, space, and general overcrowded conditions.
The Commissioners need to hear concerns over the $2.5 Million Sheriff Department budget cut.
With the huge growth in the area, it was a total surprise. The national average is 2.5 deputies
per 1,000 residents. St. Lucie County has 1.79 deputies per 1,000. The budget requested funds
for 2 deputies per 1,000. The Sheriff has an obligation to respond countywide. Last year there
were 3,200 calls in Fort Pierce to assist the city. So far this year there have been 2,500 calls in the
incorporated city of Fort Pierce.
The starting salary for deputies in Martin County is $39,000. In St. Lucie County it will be $34.1
MiDion if they get the raise. Indian River County is also higher than SLC. We will continue to
lose our people to other agencies. Deputies live on special details and overtime. The Indian
River jail is also very overcrowded and they are housing criminals at the fairgrounds. A 250 bed
pod is under construction and cost what our 2 pods cost. They are adding 70 deputies per pod.
~ iUL 5 2005
Another meeting with the Commissioners will be held within the next 10 days. When the
meeting is scheduled, the Concerned Citizens committee members will be notified so that you can
give your support. Final budget approval is the second week of September.
Expansion of parameters for SLC sex offenders is being requested. Parameters have been
extended in other Florida areas and if we don't change ours the offenders will want to relocate
here. Given the opportunity, they will re-offend. Detectives troll the internet to find predators
and locate a couple each week. Stiff federal charges with minimum mandatory sentences are
imposed. Cases are prosecuted where the longest sentences can be given. It is a third degree
felony if an offender does not register his address. There is zero tolerance with registering.
There are 329 registered sex offenders in SLC including 19 sexual predators. Reserve Deputies
are used for house checks. Florida is an active jurisdiction that notifies you if one moves into
the your neighborhood including pictures and addresses. Two full time investigators monitor
this. A suggestion was made to use the media to make people aware of everything the county is
doing re this serious issue.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:
The One Stop Centers located in Port St. Lucie and Indiantown are scheduled to close in
December. Their budget was cut 14%.
FEDERAL COURTHOUSE:
There is currently a moratorium on federal buildings. The Federal Courthouse in Fort Pierce is
now scheduled for construction in 2007.
COURT ISSUES:
One of the new circuit judge positions in St. Lucie County will help Judge Cox with family
assignments. Judge Cox currently has over 8,000 cases. One new circuit judge position will
spend half of the time in SLC helping Judge Bryan and the other half in Okeechobee. One of the
new circuit judges will go to Martin County to help with the criminal case load there. The new
county judge will spend half of the time doing civil county at SLW Annex with Judge Walsh and
half doing criminal. The application period for county judges has closed. The deadline for
circuit is on the 12th. The judges will be contacted for their input on the applicants peñormance
in court, how they act professionally, etc. Recommendations will then be sent to Tallahassee.
Martin county will get 1 county judge. Indian River did not get one.
Judge Roby intends to do an administrative order for pretrial release programs to serve as a
model for other counties.
Drug Court continues to do well and has been expanded to juvenile court. The program is very
effective.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. AU2ust 4. 2005, at 12:00 Noon at
the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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October 6, 2005 b IV
1
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
9/05 8/05 7/05 6/05 5/05 4/05 3/05 2/05 12/04
Ft Pierce Public Works 50 0 0 0 50 0 235 100
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 43 0 0 0 165 72 264 150 110
Treasure Coast Food Bank 165 290 607 302 364 426 499 472 564
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 530 341 50 398 230 50 110 100 445
PSL Parks Dept. 522 516 462 609 972 658 290 1,001 652
PSL Public Works 0 0 0 55 100 143 50 0 0
PSL Police Dept. 24 111 40 0 50 0 0 50 0
St. Lucie County Schools 0 0 50 0 0 327 0 0 175
Salvation Army 0 40 4 50 121 84 38 67 97
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 70 20 61 103 0 0 0 202 0
Goodwill Industries 339 646 533 614 749 489 534 589 205
Miscellaneous Agencies 1.883 2.778 1.849 2.074 3.058 2.922 1.649 2.810 2.599
3,626 4,742 3,656 4,205 4,925 3,389 5,419 5,533 4,791
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT): AU2.2005 Sent. 2005
St. Lucie Sheriff's Office $2,830.00 $2,150.00
Port St. Lucie Police Dept. $5,840.00 $3,500.00
Florida Highway Patrol $-0- $ 500.00
Fort Pierce Police Dept. $4,700.00 $1,901.50
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee $ -0- $-0-
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious affiliations. The workers
are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
COURT ISSUES:
The state legislature has funded the judges but not the staff needed to support the judges, i.e.,
bailiffs, court clerks, etc. The cost of one support person is $36,000 in salary and benefits. The
cap on the Clerk's budget is set by the state.
Two new judges have been appointed - Judge Kathy Nelson and Judge Barbara Bronis. It is
anticipated that Judge Nelson will be the Misdemeanor judge and Judge Bronis will be the
Family Court judge. The cases for the Misdemeanor judge will be split 20/40/40 with 20% for
case names beginning with letters A-C, 40% for D-Me, and 40% for the remaining names.
The new Clerk's building should be underway in January with completion anticipated in 2007.
The Chief Judge appears at each Legislation Delegation meeting. The judiciary is allowed to
lobby anything that will improve the way the system operates.
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SLC SHERIFFS OFFICE:
Jail population today is 1,265 and was as high as 1,293 a few weeks ago. Jail capacity is 794.
The final walk-through of the new building was done today. The area will now be secured and
sanitized. The inmates will move in October 17. The county is only funding the opening of one
of the two pods built. The Hometown News did an excellent article regarding the overcrowding
situation at the jail. Sheriff Mascara and Chief Deputy Garry Wilson have been speaking at
various community groups to get the word out. The population continues to go up while
programs are being worked on.
The new judges need court space and support staff. Sr. Judges and Magistrates require
deputies. The County Commission would not support the additional personnel.
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE:
The population of Port St. Lucie is now over 135,000 with an annual increase of 12,000 expected
for the next several years. Developers have invested too much money in the ground to let it sit
there.
Affordable housing is a problem right now. It is forcing a lot of people out of the market. The
3% cap on raising assessed value is a disaster waiting to happen. Governments will not be able
to keep pace with the increasing costs of providing services, etc., without increasing the millage
rate. Commercial property and renters are taking the brunt of it. Rents are getting higher and
higher. They are caught in a bind. A plan is needed for people to be able to afford to live here.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD:
The Bond Referendum will be voted on October 18 for the ~ penny tax. Voter turnout will be
key. There are 36,100 students in St. Lucie county schools today with 70,000 students
anticipated in less than 15 years. A new high school and new K-8 is in the process of being
opened. Fort Pierce Central High needs to be rebuilt.
A three county economic development plan is being worked on to brand this area as the
Research Coast.
PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL:
Mark Godwin, Criminal Justice Coordinator, reported that the Public Safety Coordinating
Council is identifying bottlenecks contributing to inmate overcrowding.
· Efficiencies are being looked at, i.e. inmates waiting due to paperwork to be sentenced to
state prison, etc.
· The Commission met and selected a vendor for the GPS electronic handcuffs which would
permit 24n house arrest. The County is in the process of contracting for $18 per day per
inmate for the GPS electronic handcuffs (compared to 545 per day at the jail).
· The Rocket Docket should reduce the violation of probation population by at least a
couple hundred to help alleviate the overcrowding. It was noted that approximately 1/3 of
the jail inmates are probation violators.
· People that violate state probation are staying at the county jail for free. This was the #1
issue this year at the Jail Administration conference.
. Approval by the County Commission is being requested for fiber optic lines to be installed
for the Data Exchange Program to automatically transmit from the Sheriff's Department
Booking and Receiving area to the State Attorney to the Clerk. Case numbers will
..
automatically be assigned. It is anticipated that two staff members could then be
reassigned to other duties.
. A mental health program is also in the works.
· Mark will attend a national pre-trial conference in Houston. A program is available to
provide the judges with more information for pre-trial release. The judge will be
informed if the person is a long term resident, has had prior convictions, has a history of
drug/alcohol problems, etc. The program will provide information to the court to assist in
making the right decision.
. A couple hundred inmates who should be in substance abuse/dmg rehab/mental health
facilities are now in jail. Some will do what they have to do to get into jail to get medical
care, dental care, and "3 hots and a cot."
STATE ATTORNEY OFFICE:
Jason Berger wrote some new legislation for Rep. Gayle Harrell for harsher Dill sentences. We
presently have minimum sentences for first, second, and third offenses within 10 years. The new
legislation is for the fourth or subsequent Dill offenses to have minimum mandatory sentences
between 1-2 years incarceration.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. November 3. 2005, at 12:00
Noon at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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,. CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIAL~ ~j
September I, 2005 r' ~ N
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
The August 2005 figures were not available at the time of the meeting.
7/05 6/05 5/05 4/05 3/05 2/05 12/04 11/04 ~
Ft Pierce Public Works 0 0 0 50 0 235 100 0 116
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 0 0 165 72 264 150 110 0 68
Treasure Coast Food Bank 607 302 364 426 499 472 564 320 741
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 50 398 230 50 110 100 445 100 0
PSL Parks Dept. 462 609 972 658 290 1,001 652 907 790
PSL Public Works 0 55 100 143 50 0 0 0 0
PSL Police Dept. 40 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 50 0 0 327 0 0 175 90 0
Salvation Army 4 50 121 84 38 67 97 71 221
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 61 103 0 0 0 202 0 90 0
Goodwill Industries 533 614 749 489 534 589 205 795 264
Miscellaneous Agencies 1.849 2.074 3.058 2.922 1.649 2.810 2.599 3.098 3.008
3,656 4,205 4,925 3,389 5,419 5,533 4,791 5,829 2,509
MisceUaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious atT"diations. The workers
are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
ST. LUCm COUNTY:
The interview process is near completion for the new county and circuit judge positions
scheduled to start in November. The new circuit judge will be in Family Court. The county
judge will be in Small Claims at St. Lucie West for 2 weeks and then at SLC Courthouse for 2
weeks handling misdemeanors. Another courtroom is being added at St. Lucie West. Additional
possible courtroom space at the courthouse is being discussed. Judge Barnes and Judge Yacucci
currently split the misdemeanor case load 50/50. It is anticipated that with the additional judge,
they both will handle 40% each and the new judge will handle the other 20%. Assignment of
cases for the 40/40/20 split will be determined.
Senior Judges have come in to assist on felony cases and circuit civil. Senior Judges are retired
judges which include Judges Fennelly, Trowbridge, Cianca, and Midelis.
Bids are being received for the new 5 floor Clerk's building with 57,000 sq. ft. A 2007
completion date is anticipated. It will be located north of the existing courthouse behind the
Public Defenders office.
The City will redo the parking lot by the church and reconfigure it to pickup 15 parking spots.
Two more Doors will be added on the parking garage. The parking garage will be closed while it
is being renovated. Parking is expected to be a real problem during the renova~ion.ltÞtt1.~rage
now has 190 parking spots. The city has a trolley system and will try to coorfliWat~ ~ witìí the
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construction process. The Community Center on Indian River Drive and the piece of property
across the street may be used. The county has also entered into an agreement to convert a piece
of property south of the Willie Gary building into a parking area. Other interim alternatives are
also being discussed.
Having two days for Traffic Court is working out well. Previously Traffic Court was held only
on Friday afternoons and it ran late constantly. Now Traffic Court is also being held in PSL on
Tuesday mornings.
The new fiscal year starts October 1. Seven new employees wiD be added on the court side to
support the new judges (2 in Small Claims, 2 in County Court, 2 in Family Court and 1 Court
Clerk in Juvenile.
SLC SHERIFFS OFFICE:
Jail population today is 1,247 (500+ over capacity). The first pod is scheduled to come on line
mid-September. The County Commission doesn't see the need to fund the deputies necessary to
staff pod 2. However, the jail will already be 200 over capacity when pod 1 opens. There are 13
different cases pending related to jail overcrowding. Four have case numbers and will come up
in federal court. An inquiry was received from a company in Broward that has a history of suing
government agencies.
The pre-trial service program with electronic monitoring was discussed. Alachua county has had
a similar program since 1976. Individuals going before the judge for first appearance are
identified and verification of education, length of Florida residency, etc. is determined. National,
state, and local records are checked prior to the first appearance. The judge will decide if OK to
put in the pre-trial program at the minimum, medium or maximum level. 300 individuals are in
the program in Alachua county and kept out of jail. The program maintains the integrity of the
court plus keeps public safety. Individuals have been identified for other problems such as
drugs, alcohol, etc., so that they can receive help. Approval for this program is needed by the
Board of County Commissioners.
There is not enough money in the budget to cover bailiffs for new judges. Since 1994 no new law
enforcement deputies have been added. The County Commission said there is no growth and
additional deputies are not needed. However, the same growth numbers were used to approve
their 70 new employees. The jail population continues to climb every month by 10 inmates. The
jail was expanded in 1994 when the population in St. Lucie county was 100,000. Now population
is at 230,000.
Port St. Lucie Police Department has been approved for 25 new officers and 50 for Firefighters.
Yet the SLCSO was told they don't need the positions. The national average is 2.5 officers per
1,000 people. With all 3 agencies in SLC we are about 1.7%. This wiD become a real problem
going forward. It was agreed that it would be helpful for the Commissioners to hear from
outside sources to discuss concerns.
SLCSO has adopted the Marion county sheriff's office in Biloxi, Mississippi. A tractor trailer
with supplies will leave this weekend to assist that agency. Other agencies are also being
identified.
, .
ST. LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD:
Plans are being made to take children into the school system from the Gulf Coast.
A workshop will be held on September 10 from 9-3 for the student assignment process which will
be retooled for next year.
There are very few teacher openings now. New teachers will be added as population grows.
4,000 additional students are expected this year.
The budget is locked in with the state for the price per gallon for gas for the year.
PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL:
Mark Godwin, Public Safety Council Coordinator, reported that the CEO of New Horizons has
indicated that 21 % of jail inmates have mental health issues. A program to identify issues early
on for jail diversion for the mentally ill would save time, money, and resources. They would be
taken to a stabilization unit at New Horizons or place other than jail. Treatment could be given
to calm and resolve.
Three vendors are coming in for GPS. Computer integration is needed with information to be
reentered and downloaded between agencies. A survey is due next week for data tracking. The
state has taken a zero tolerance position for probation violations. There are 139 in jail now on
technical violations.
FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPT.
The FPPD is outgrowing their present facility. Ways to building for Category 5 preparedness
are being discussed.
Five positions have been approved in the Budget. These positions were lost a few years ago but
now have them back.
People and supplies are being put together to help victims of Katrina. There will be waves of
people going.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. October 6. 2005, at 12:00 Noon
at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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> - , CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS JI'
AUGUST 4, 2005
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CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
7/05 ~ 5/05 ~ ~ ~ 12/04 11/04 10/04
--
Ft Pierce Public Works 0 0 0 50 0 235 100 0 116
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 0 0 165 72 264 150 110 0 68
Treasure Coast Food Bank 607 302 364 426 499 472 564 320 741
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 50 398 230 50 110 100 445 100 0
PSL Parks Dept. 462 609 972 658 290 1,001 652 907 790
PSL Public Works 0 55 100 143 50 0 0 0 0
PSL Police Dept. 40 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 50 0 0 327 0 0 175 90 0
Salvation Army 4 50 121 84 38 67 97 71 221
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 61 103 0 0 0 202 0 90 0
Goodwill Industries 533 614 749 489 534 589 205 795 264
Miscellaneous Agencies 1.849 2.074 3.058 2.922 1.649 2.810 2.599 3.098 3.008
3,656 4,205 4,925 3,389 5,419 5,533 4,791 5,829 2,509
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious atrdiations. The workers
are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (PAID OUT): Julv 2005 June 2005
St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office $6,010.00 $5,416.25
Port St. Lucie Police Department $2,000.00 $4,897.50
Florida Highway Patrol $ -0- $ 515.00
Fort Pierce Police Department $2,000.00 $1,597.50
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee $ -0- $-0-
ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
A discussion was held regarding remodeling of the old courthouse building damaged in the
storms. It is anticipated this project will start in October. Two floors will be added to the
parking garage. A discussion was also held re the serious damage to the schools. $120 Million
has already been spent on repairs from the hurricanes.
Traffic court has been split into two days to help with the scheduling.
Six names have been sent to Tallahassee for the two circuit court judges to be appointed.
SLC SHERIFFS OFFICE:
Jail population today is 1,184 (400 over capacity). According to a study done by the Fire
Marshall, maximum jail capacity is 794. Two new jail pods are ready. One 256 bed pod is
available by September 1. A smaller pod would be ready by October 1. However, the County
Commissions did not support the funding for additional law enforcement to man the pods. The
Sheriff's budget asked for 25 more law enforcement officers but $2.5 Million was cut from the
~-= b~get. There are currently 26 pending jail overcrowding law suits. The number of inmates in
the jail has been increasing approximately 10 per month. The state average is 4.3 inmates per
officer. In St. Lucie County it is 5.9 inmates per officer.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD:
There are 3,900 more students than last year. Of the 400 new teachers needed for this school
year, they are running 40 short.
Fingerprinting of a total of 11,600 school workers is required this year including 4,000
employees; 6,000 volunteers; 1,600 sub-contractors. Cost to fingerprint each person is $81.
PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Major Gary Robinson attended this meeting for the Port St. Lucie Police Department. It was
reported that Port St. Lucie is the safest city in Florida with over 75,000 population and is also
the fastest growing.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. SeDtember 1. 2005, at 12:00
Noon at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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TO: Douglas Anderson
County Administrator
COPY: Commissioner Doug Coward
Commissioner Chris Craft
Commissioner Joe Smith
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson
Commissioner Paula Lewis
FROM: Carl Holeva ~
Human Resources Director
DATE: September 23,2005
SUBJECT: CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
FOR AUGUST 2005
Attached for your information is a copy of the August 2005 Consumer
Price Index recently released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Southeastern Regional Office.
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News For Release: BUREAU OF l,ABOR STATISTICS
8:30 A.M., ET, Thursday, SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAl OFF,
September 15, 2005 A TlANT A. GEORGIA
TELEPHONE: 404-331-3415
Request Document 9105
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
(1982-84=100)
August 2005
All urban consumers W
Percent Percent
Group change change
04 Jul05
Index 05 05 Index
U.S. City Average
All items (1982·84=100) 196.4 3.6 0.5 192.1 3.8 0.6
All items (1967=100) 588.2 572.3
Food and beverages 191.3 2.1 0.0 190.6 2.0 0.0
Housing 196.9 3.0 0.2 192.3 3.1 0.2
Sheltar 225.6 2.4 0.0 218.5 2.4 0.1
Rent of primary rasldence 218.0 2.9 0_2 217.1 2.9 0.2
Apparel 115.8 -0.6 1.8 115.5 -0.3 1.5
Transportation 177.7 9.1 1.9 177.1 9.7 2.1
MedIcal cara 323.9 3.9 -0.1 323.5 4_0 -0.1
R8CI'8IIUon 1/ 109.3 0.7 0.2 106.8 0_7 0.3
Education & communication 1/ 113.7 1.8 0.7 111.1 1.1 U
Other and services 314.4 2.9 0.1 323.6 3.2 0.2
South
All items (1982-84=100) 189.4 3.7 0.5 186.6 4.0 0_6
All items (Dee 1977=100) 307.2 302.3
Food and beverages 189.1 0.3 188.0 0.3
Housing 180.9 0.1 179.0 0.2
Apparel 123.6 -1.0 124.6 ·1.2
Transportation 176.2 2.3 174.9 2.6
MedIcal care 312.2 -0.1 313.6 -0.1
RllCRllltion 1/ 109.7 -0.1 107.2 -0.2
Education & communication 1/ 110.8 0.8 107.8 0.5
Other s and services 299.5 0.1 304.7 0.1
. Index Index
Atlanta
All Items (1982-84=100) 189.5 2.9 -0.1 188.3 3.2 0.4
All Items (1967=100 571.6 569.5
Food end beverages 197.7 1.0 -0.1 194.9 0.7 -0.2
Housing 185.9 1.5 -1.1 183.4 1.6 -0.4
Apparel 108.9 -4.8 1.2 112_9 -6.9 2.8
Transportation 169.1 10.6 3.4 170_0 11.9 4.1
Medical care 322.6 1.4 -4.4 317.3 1.5 -4.7
Recreation 1/ 112.5 5.8 1.6 107.2 5.5 1.6
Education & communication 1/ 103.6 0.5 0.2 101.7 0.8 0.0
Other oods and services 287.9 2.1 0.0 314.6 2.6 0.3
Mleml
AlIIIems (1982-84=100) 195.6 5_7 1.6 193.8 6.0 1.6
All Items (Nov 1977=100) 315.3 314.9
Food and beverages 200.2 3.0 0.0 199.2 2.8 0.2
Housing 191.2 6.5 1.4 190.1 6.6 1.4
Apparel 14M 13_2 5.1 155.6 10.7 5.0
Transportation 183.9 10.2 4.3 181.8 10.4 4.4
Medical cara 310.6 5.1 0.5 313.5 5.0 0.4
Recreation 1/ 111.3 1.4 -1.1 109_2 1.4 -1.2
Education & communication 1/ 108_9 -0.7 1.1 111.5 1.5 1.0
Other goods and services 247.6 -0.6 -0_5 239_2 -0.1 -0.5
1/ Indexes on a December 1977=100 base
DaI8 not available Fax-on-demand number is 404-331-3403.
Intemet address: hllD:/lwww.bls.iov/r04/home.htm
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May 17,2005
LBFH File No. 89-0605
Mr. Douglas Anderson, Administrator
St. Lucie County
2300 Virginia A venue
Fort Pierce, Florida 34982-5652
Re:
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Capron Trail Community Development District
Special District Public Facilities Report Annual Update
Dear Mr. Anderson:
On behalf of the Capron Trail Community Development District, I submit
this letter report to you according to the provisions of Section 189.415,
Florida Statutes, which requires each independent special district to submit
an annual update of its Public Facilities Report.
The public facilities owned and operated by the District have not been
significantly modified in the past year and no major improvements have
been constructed or installed.
Please call me at 772-286-3883 if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
iCL- :), 'M~"'_O'
Thomas F. McGowan, P.E
District Engineer,
Capron Trail Community Development District
Florida Registïation No. 44742
FBPE & BPR #959
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Board of Supervisors
Dan Harrell
George Keller
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS (
MAY 5, 2005 J)¡Ø; ~ if
CORE COMMUNTIY SERVICE REPORT: f Š )}
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
Ft Pierce Public Works
Ft. Pierce Police Dept.
Treasure Coast Food Bank
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept.
PSL Parks Dept.
PSL Public Works
PSL Police Dept.
St. Lucie County Schools
Salvation Army
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop
Goodwill Industries
Miscellaneous Agencies
4/05
50
72
426
50
658
143
o
327
84
o
193
2.922
4,925
~
o
264
499
110
290
50
o
o
38
o
489
1.649
3,389
2/05
235
150
472
100
1,001
o
50
o
67
o
534
2.810
5,419
12/04 11/04 10/04 9104
--- - --- -
100 0 116 52
110 0 68 0
564 320 741 322
445 100 0 0
652 907 790 250
000 0
o 0 0 19
175 90 0 0
97 71 221 104
202 0 90 0
589 205 795 264
2.599 3.098 3.008 1.498
5,533 4,791 5,829 2,509
5/04
o
100
610
240
1,283
o
o
29
153
8
205
3.306
5,986
4/04
o
o
763
194
961
50
7
25
163
o
536
3.240
5,939
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious affiliations. The workers
are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours. The Food Bank
and Parks Department count on having this resource. They also maintain the field for spring
training and there is a huge demand for workers at the land rdl.
A Judgment of Lien is filed against people who do not pay their assessed fines and court costs.
This affects their credit and prevents them from buying a car, etc., so eventually there is a
collection.
With Article 5 Revision 7, fines are being distributed differently. Meetings will be held with the
judges, the Clerks office, etc., to discuss further.
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT):
Aoril 2005
$6,706.50
$8,666.25
$4,311.50
$ -0-
$ -0-
St. Lucie Sheriff's Office
Port St. Lucie Police Dept.
Fort Pierce Police Dept.
Florida Highway Patrol
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee
FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPT.:
A leadership course was attended in Tampa where the St. Lucie County DVD re the hurricanes
was presented. They were very impressed with the quality and content of the DVD. They
discussed what occurred with gearing up for the hurricanes, during the hurricanes, after the
hurricanes, etc. The meeting was attended by ChiefS and Sheriffs throughout:-~~~l~cis ~,::::-1
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, Dvn will also be presented by Doug Anderson when he makes a presentation at the Governor's
hurricane conference coming up.
PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPT.
The 2005 Law Enforcement Memorial Service will be held May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Morningside
Church in Port St. Lucie. Fort Pierce Police Dept., Port St. Lucie Police Dept., and St. Lucie
County Sheriffs office will participate. A rose will be presented to survivors.
On May 11 the Port St. Lucie Police Dept. will celebrate the agency's 25th anniversary and grand
opening of the new police station on Rosser Blvd. to better serve the western part of Port St.
Lucie.
On Friday, May 13 the memorial service will be held in front of the Port St. Lucie Police Station
at 8:00 a.m.
On May 14 the Blue Knights Memorial Ride will be held from Jupiter to Okeechobee. They will
make a stop at each policy agency.
DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS:
The 100th anniversary of the St. Lucie County Sheriffs office will be celebrated this year.
The jail population today is 1,164. The daily booking has been going up with an average of 50
coming in every day. Last year it was in the 40's. This is a symptom of population growth.
Major Tighe distributed a press release re a show which will air on PBS May 10 at 9:00 p.m.
titled "The New Asylums." The program goes inside Ohio's state prison system to explore the
topic of mental health behind bars. Fewer than 55,000 Americans currently receive treatment in
psychiatric hospitals but nearly 500,000 mentally ill men and women are serving time in U.S.
jails and prison. At the St. Lucie county jail 25% of the population is on psychotropic meds. It
is a trend of growth and will only get worse. There are no social services in the community to do
anything else but put them in jail. Corrections officers now have the responsibility of not only
securing inmates but also working with mental health staff to identify and manage disturbed
prisoners. They are kept separate in the jail until they can be treated and put into the regular
population for eventual release.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL:
The One Stop Career Center in Port St. Lucie and Indiantown will be closing probably in
December. The Vero Beach One Stop reopened last month. The mobile unit and kiosks will be
used in Port St. Lucie and Indiantown.
A Job Fair was held with IRCC which was attended by 700 job seekers and 85 employers. 100
were placed.
A Jobs Jamboree is planned May 24 in the Board office on U.S. 1 for jobs earning $28,000+ per
year. The unemployment rate is now 3%. Employers cannot find the people they want.
Florida is the 11th state to raise the minimum wage.
""
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They are working with the Sheriff's Department for job training with costs to be split with the
employer.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB:
Norm Penner, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, was unable to attend this meeting
but informed Dr. Dannahower that, although funding for the successful diversion program had
been cut off, receipt of a special grant for $265,000 is anticipated which will enable the Boys &
Girls club to continue this program.
FEDERAL COURTHOUSE:
The construction drawing for the new federal courthouse is 80% complete. The money is not in
hand yet.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
Doug Anderson distributed the St. Lucie County 2004 Annual Report. A copy of the Annual
Report was sent to every county in the state of Florida. Many compliments have been received.
A huge celebration will be held at the Fairgrounds on July 2 for St. Lucie County's 100th
anniversary.
Bids have been received on the Clerk of the Court building. Construction costs are $4 Million
over budget (up 20-30%).
A map to keep track of new housing developments in the county is being developed. There were
78,000 units approved or on the drawing board last month. The new map is already up 2,000
units. When the baby boomers retire here, it will create another wave. Weare looking at
doubling the population in ten years or less. The infrastructure for roads, utilities etc., needs to
be planned for.
Are out to bid on widening 25th Street from Midway to Edwards. Meetings are being held to
discuss possible solutions for 25th Street to U.S. 1 going through White City.
The Sheriff's budget is in. A meeting is scheduled to discuss the increase and new deputies
requested.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. June 2. 2005, at 12:00 Noon at
the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
The Committee discussed taking a summer recess. It was decided to not have meetings during
July, August, and September.
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS A I . (
APRIL 7, 2005 r6/ )
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
3/05 2/05 12/04 11/04 10/04 9/04 5/04 4/04 3/04
--~---------
'""
Ft Pierce Public Works
Ft. Pierce Police Dept.
Treasure Coast Food Bank
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept.
PSL Parks Dept.
PSL Public Works
PSL Police Dept.
St. Lucie County Schools
Salvation Army
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop
Goodwill Industries
Miscellaneous Agencies
o
264
499
110
290
50
o
o
38
o
489
1.649
3,389
235
150
472
100
1,001
o
50
o
67
o
534
2.810
5,419
100
110
564
445
652
o
o
175
97
202
589
2.599
5,533
o
o
320
100
907
o
o
90
71
o
205
3,098
4,791
116
68
741
o
790
o
o
o
221
90
795
3.008
5,829
52
o
322
o
250
o
19
o
104
o
264
1.498
2,509
o
100
610
240
1,283
o
o
29
153
8
205
3.306
5,986
o
o
763
194
961
50
7
25
163
o
536
3.240
5,939
100
51
781
150
527
59
o
o
212
182
683
3.198
5,943
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious atTiliations. The workers
are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours. The Food Bank
and Parks Department count on having this resource. They also maintain the field for spring
training and there is a huge demand for workers at the land fill.
A Judgment of Lien is filed against people who do not pay their assessed fines and court costs.
This affects their credit and prevents them from buying a car, etc., so eventually there is a
collection.
CORE is seeing a drop in the misdemeanor numbers but may see then going back up since
FEMA jobs have ended. The emergency grant ended March 31.
A lot of cases are being handled by a "pay by" date. H the fine is not paid by that date or the
time isn't extended, they go on probation. The Clerk's office is becoming a collecting agent.
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT):
March 2005
$4,229.75
$4,163.50
$ 500.00
$3,315.00
$ -0-
St. Lucie Sheriff's Office
Port St. Lucie Police Dept.
Fort Pierce Police Dept.
Florida Highway Patrol
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee
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FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPT.:
The Grand Opening for the Seniors vs. Crime program will be held today at the Courthouse
Annex in Port St. Lucie. Volunteers help seniors with civil and criminal issues. Both the Fort
Pierce and Port St. Lucie Police Departments have liaisons involved.
PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPT.:
The new Port St. Lucie Police Department substation is scheduled to open May 11 in the western
part of town.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD:
The funding stream for School Resource Officers has been decreasing over the last several years.
Language is in the legislature for a funding stream to be divided among the county (25%), state
(50%) and school system (25%) to keep the cost of officers in the same proportion. The proposal
is on the docket for discussion. There is no backup plan if funds are not received for this year.
The Youth Council was charged with choosing two organizations to distribute the $78,000 raised
in·the school system for tsunami relief. 90 charitable organizations were rated and ranked. They
are now taking on other projects and learning good advisory skills. The Youth Council program
has been very successful.
DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS:
Jail population today is at 1,161 with an average of 1,150. 70% of inmates are felons. New
construction is on schedule.
When juveniles are brought to jail at Rock Road, the booking area has to be emptied out for that
booking. The juvenile is then transported to BeU Avenue. there is no program for that juvenile.
A pilot program is being discussed to set up booking at Bell Avenue. Programs needed to avoid
going to Rock Road will be identified. The County has set aside funding and will discuss funding
assistance opportunities with both cities.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB:
Two additional facilities will be opening to accommodate a portion of the waiting list.
The feasibility study has been received and a campaign will kick-off to build more facilities. A
golf tournament is scheduled @ Tesoro to raise funds. It will be the only public opportunity to
play on this course. 20 teams were targeted at 55,000 each. 19 have signed up mostly from
outside the community.
Truancy Court results indicates a 94% decrease in truancy in the elementary schools -
outstanding!
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL:
The Youth Summit will be held this Saturday, April 9, at mcc.
Increased unemployment is anticipated due to the ending of the national emergency grant.
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The grand reopening of the One Stop office in Vero Beach will be held April 21. Closure of the
Port St. Lucie and Indiantown locations is expected. Community kiosks, moving teams, etc., are
being discussed for these areas.
COURT ISSUES:
Courthouse space issues continue to be discussed. On the House side, our legislative delegation
agreed on a bill for 67 positions with St. Lucie County receiving the judicial positions certified.
The problem is on the Senate side now. Under the Senate's version, St. Lucie County would get
zero. Our three Senators should be contacted. It is the business community that has to relay
that message. If we don't get any circuit judges in the next year, Judge Bryant will be pulled
from civil and be assigned to family. Judge Cox has over 8,000 cases on her docket and needs
help. Civil will take the hit which would affect foreclosures, litigation, probate cases to pass title,
appeals of zoning decision will back up, etc. We have gone 2 years with no new judges across the
entire state and none in this circuit in 4 years. We will be in a crisis situation unless we get
additional judges. The legislature meets through the first week of May.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
Bids are being received for the new Clerk of the Courts building in downtown Fort Pierce. This
is a $8 Million project.
Damage to the old St. Lucie Court courthouse is being analyzed.
Two floors will be added in the parking garage.
Doug Anderson will bring the map showing the growth plan to the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. Mav 5. 2005, at 12:00 Noon at
the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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FRONTLINE: press release I T'......~
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Page 1 of3
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(è It.. Press Release
caption: In "The New
Asyhuns," airing Tuesday,
May 10, at 9 P.M. on PBS
(check local listings )
FRONTLINE goes deep inside
Ohio's state prison system to
present a searing exploration of
the complex and growing topic
of mental health behind bars
and a moving portrait of the
individuals at the center of this
Issue.
Above, Inmate Charles Taylor,
Southern Ohio Correctional
Facility, Lucasville, OH.
December 13,2004.
Image may only be used in
editorial conjtillction with the
direct promotion of this :film in
North America. No other rights
are granted. AU rights reserved.
© WGBH
" The New Asylums
Tuesday, May 10, at 9pm, 60 minutes
Fewer than 55,000 Americans currently
receive treatment in psychiatric hospitals.
Meanwhile, almost ten times that number-
nearly 500,000-mentally ill men and women
are serving time in U.S. jails and prisons. As
sheriffs and prison wardens become the
unexpected and often ill-equipped caretakers
of this burgeoning population, they raise a
troubling new concern: have America's jails
and prisons become its new asylums?
"Weare the gatekeepers of a lot of persons
who are mentally ill, and that's not something
we relish....We don't like the idea that we're
being charged with fixing a lot of the woes of
our communities," says Reginald Wilkinson,
director of the Ohio Department of
Corrections. "In addition to being the director
of the Department of Corrections, I became a
de facto director of a major mental health
system. "
In "The New Asylums," airing Tuesday, May
10, at 9 P.M. on PBS (check local listings),
FRONTLINE® goes deep inside Ohio's state
prison system to explore the complex and
growing issue of mentally ill prisoners. With
unprecedented access to prison therapy
sessions, mental health treatment meetings,
crisis wards, and prison disciplinary tribunals,
the film provides a poignant and disturbing
portrait of the new reality for the mentally ill.
"It was surprising to see how much treatment was going on inside Ohio's prisons,"
say FRONTLINE producers Miri Navasky and Karen O'Connor. "And while the
prison system is doing a commendable job, you are sti11left with the feeling that
http://www . pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/press/2313 .html
5/4/2005
FRONTLINE: press release I 1'......S
. '-
Page 2 of3
.....,
prison is not the answer to this very large social problem. II
As the rising munber of mentally ill inmates shows no sign of abating, those
working inside the nation's prisons are struggling with a system designed for
security, not treatment. Corrections officers now have the responsibility of not only
securing inmates, but also working with mental health staff to identify and manage
disturbed prisoners.
IIProviding effective psychiatric care in a maximum security prison is
extraordinarily difficult, II says prison psychiatrist Gary Beven. IIIfyou have
untreated manic depression or bipolar disorder, untreated schizophrenia, somebody
might be hallucinating and extremely paranoid. If you don't identify the fact that
[a] person has schizophrenia, if you don't provide them with the proper medication,
if you don't place them in an environment that allows them to function at an
adequate level, then it's just a matter oftime, perhaps, [that] something aggressive
might occur. II
And because these inmates have difficulty following prison rules, a
disproportionate number are placed in solitary confinement. IIPeople who are just
so un-socialized and so psychologically fragile to begin with are deprived of any
kind of social support, any kind of psychological stimulus. And they just, they just
fall apart, II says Fred Cohen, a prison litigation specialist.
Inmate Carl McEachron, sent to prison for stealing a bicycle in 1988, has spent
much of his time in prison in isolation, unable to cope with the strict prison
environment and racking up an extensive list of violations. His mental illness was
left undiagnosed and untreated lmtil recently.
IIHe was the type of individual who was very difficult to work with, II says Beven of
McEachron. lI[He's] been very aggressive towards staff, including, I believe, by
spitting on staff members and throwing body waste. And so there wasn't a lot of
empathy for him....The tendency would be for somebody like that to just [say],
'Let's lock him away...1et'sjust not have anything to do with him.'"
IIBeing placed in a solitary situation is like being placed in a prison's prison,"
McEachron tells FRONTLINE. "And that's worse than simply being taken from
society and placed in prison. "
Eventually, a majority of mentally ill inmates are released back into the
community, generally with a limited amolUlt of medication, little preparation, and
sometimes no family or support structure. "We release people ,vith two weeks'
worth of medication. Yet it appears that it's taking three months for people to
actually get an appointment in the community to continue their services...and if
they don't have the energy and/or the insight to do that, they're going to fall
through the cracks and end up back in some kind of criminal activity, II warns
Deborah Nixon-Hughes, mental health bureau chief, Ohio Department of
Corrections.
Within six days of being paroled in 2000, inmate Sigmon Clark, a paranoid
schizophrenic, was rearrested for robbery. IISix days \vith $75 in my pocket. Fare
http://www .pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/press/2313 .html
5/4/2005
FRONTLINE: press release I 1'......S
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the best way you can, man. We done took twelve years out of your life, and you're
mentally ilL. do what you can for yourself," Clark tells FRONTLINE.
Some feel change will be difficlùt to implement.
"Many of those persons who wOlùd have been in state hospitals are now in state
prisons," Wilkinson says. "I've actually had ajudge mention to me before that,
'Hey, we hate to do this, but we know the person will get treated if we send this
person to prison. "'
"The New Asylwns" is a FRONTLINE co-production with Mead Street Films. The
film is produced, written, and directed by Miri Navasky and Karen O'Connor.
FRONTLINE is produced by WGBH Boston and is broadcast nationwide on PBS.
Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support ofPBS viewers.
FRONTLINE is closed-captioned for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.
FRONTLINE is a registered trademark ofWGBH Educational Foundation.
The executive producer for FRONTLINE is David Fanning.
Press contact:
Chris Kelly
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FRONTLINE XXIII/May 2005
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5/4/2005
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFIC ~ /
MARCH 3, 2005 JJII)
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
2/05 12/04 !!L!!i 10/04 9/04 ~ ~ 3/04 2/04
Ft Pierce Public Works 235 100 0 116 52 0 0 100 23
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 150 110 0 68 0 100 0 51 0
Treasure Coast Food Bank 472 564 320 741 322 610 763 781 1,787
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 100 445 100 0 0 240 194 150 221
PSL Parks Dept. 1,001 652 907 790 250 1,283 961 527 990
PSL Public Works 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 59 0
PSL Police Dept. 50 0 0 0 19 0 7 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 0 175 90 0 0 29 25 0 138
Salvation Army 67 97 71 221 104 153 163 212 0
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 0 202 0 90 0 8 0 182 50
Goodwill Industries 534 589 205 795 264 205 536 683 408
Miscellaneous Agencies 2.810 2.599 3.098 3,008 1.498 3.306 3.~40 3.198 3.456
5,419 5,533 4,791 5,829 2,509 5,986 5,939 5,943 7,073
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious aff'diations. The Fort
Pierce Parks Department has agreed to again be a provider for community service hours. The
workers are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT):
Feb. 2004
$11,524.20
$18,244.70
$ 6,740.65
$ 1,143,70
$ -6-
St. Lucie Sheriff's Office
Port St. Lucie Police Dept.
Fort Pierce Police Dept.
Florida Highway Patrol
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee
Judge BaI11~ has agreed to continue with this program.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD:
On April 6 the Workforce Development Board/One Stop Career Center will be hosting a St.
Lucie County Job Fair to be held at IRCC.
On April 9 the Annual Youth Summit will be held at IRCC with 500 youths expected to attend.
Volunteers are needed for this event.
Over 13,000 people fIled for disaster unemployment which is now running out. For anyone
looking for employees, this is a good time to contact the Center as these people will be looking for
jobs when the benefits run out.
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.~_....
PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT:
The western Port St. Lucie Police substation is expected to open next month. This wiD help with
police service to the western part of town.
DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS:
Victim notification training was held this morning. Information about this statewide computer
process will be reported in the newspaper.
DRUG COURT:
Next month there will be adult Drug Court graduating class in St. Lucie county.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
Tonight is opening night for Mets baseball. Storm repairs have been completed to the stadium.
COURT ISSUES:
The Probate Division is moving to the State Attorneys Annex on Second Street. They have
started taking credit card payments for fines, etc.
Additional judges are certified for 4 circuit and 2 county judges. Without these judges, it would
have a serious impact.
Judge Robey reported that a Court Space Needs Committee will be formed to discuss these issues
going forward. A space needs study will be done to determine future needs to be just and fair ,to
the judiciary, the people we serve, and the community.
Currendy there are 9 courtrooms and 1 hearing room at the Ft. Pierce facility with 10
adjudicators and on any given day all will be used. The Family Division has an incredible
number of cases. One of the new judges will be placed in the Family Division. There is no room
for overflow. There is a critical need for space. There are not enough courtrooms in the
courthouse.
One suggestion was to move the Civil Division to St. Lucie West. When the old Courthouse is
refurbished in 1-2 years, that space would be available. In the meantime something has to give.
One suggestion is to move Court Administration to St. Lucie West. That frees up office space for
judges, the Jury Room, and some space for mediations. It doesn't help with courtrQoms tbough.
Weare looking at ways to move some of the Clerks duties into some modular units. There are 2
pie shaped areas in the courthouse also available. Magistrates and hearing officers could use this
space. Modulars were used in Martin County while their courthouse was being rebuilt. Boston
to Atlantic would have to be closed to set up the modulars but Second Street may already be shut
down anyway due to construction. It is preferred to keep everything together on the same
campus.
St. Lucie West would become the Administrative Center for the 19th Circuit. Court
Administration and staff attorneys would be out there. This would free up a lot of office space
for Court Services. Could build out a portion of St. Lucie West for another judge to help out
with exploding small claims cases and overflow cases. One is being used for traffic court and one
for civil cases. St. Lucie West would be a very central location for Court Administration.
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.
A court complex out at the jail is being considered. The 6th circuit (pinellas county) has it major
complex at their jail facility and Martin County is doing this as well.
Input is requested. We have to have adequate facilities to implement justice.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
Construction on the Clerk of Courts building will begin June 20.
The monumental staircase for the entrance to the old courthouse will begin August 1. This will
take a lot of people ofT the elevators.
A chilled water system to cool the buildings will take the place of roof air units. This will begin
June 21.
We will either renovate the old courthouse or build a new courthouse. Ceilings and carpets have
to be removed first to determine work needed. This will take approximately 8 weeks. To
renovate the building we would hope to start August 4 for completion June 2006. To replace the
building we would plan to start January 2006 with completion July 2007.
Two additional t100rs will be added to the downtown parking garage. Construction will begin
August 1. The courtyard in front of the courthouse will be the staging area.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. Aoril 7. 2005, at 12:00 Noon at
the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
DATE:
~/
Board of County comm~Sio r·
Douglas M. AndersonµJ0unty Administrator
March 3, 2005
MEMORANDUM
05-35
TO:
FROM:
RE:
Concerned Citizens' Meeting -.Downtown Courthouse Update I Judge Roby
Today Judge Roby gave a presentation to the Concerned Citizens group regarding court facilities
space needs. He made the following suggestions:
1. Move Court Administration to St. Lucie West
2. If the County receives a new County Judge, put the Judge at St. Lucie West and also
hold long-term civil trials at St. Lucie West (Le., 7 weeks long). Long-term civil trials are
currently being held at St. Lucie West.
To implement #1&2 would require moving Guardian Ad Litem to the Walton Road Annex. I have
discussed this possible move with Guardian Ad Litem and they are okay with it.
3. Establish a Court Facilities Committee to report to the Public Safety Coordinating Council
(PSCC). There will be discussion regarding the purpose of this committee at the next
PSCC meeting, scheduled for March 31st at 3:30 p.m.
Judge Roby also suggested the City of Fort Pierce and the County consider putting modular trailers
on Second Street, between Boston and Atlantic, to house Clerk of Court personnel until the new
Clerk of the Courts Building is competed on or about December 31, 2006. This would free up
space in the existing Courthouse for hearing rooms. As you know, this portion of Second Street is
currently closed due to construction.
In the upcoming Budget, I will recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that funds be set
aside for a Space Needs Study, including Court facilities, County offices, and Jail facilities.
When the upcoming Court construction is completed in Fort Pierce, we will be basically built-out in
Downtown Fort Pierce, unless additional property is made available.
DMAlab 05-35
c:
Ray Wazny, Assistant County Administrator
Faye Outlaw, Assistant County Administrator
Roger Shinn, Central Services Director
Marie Gouin, Management and Budget Director
Dan Mcintyre, County Attorney
Ed Fry, Clerk of the Courts
Tom Willis, Court Administrator
Dennis Beach, City Manager, Fort Pierce
Honorable William L. Roby, Chief Judge
\.
'-'"
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
DATE:
~¿
Board of County comm~~io '";'
Douglas M. AndersonµJounty Administrator
March 3, 2005
MEMORANDUM
05-35
TO:
FROM:
RE:
Concerned Citizens' Meeting -Downtown Courthouse Update / Judge Roby
Today Judge Roby gave a presentation to the Concerned Citizens group regarding court facilities
space needs. He made the following suggestions:
1. Move Court Administration to St. Lucie West
2. If the County receives a new County Judge, put the Judge at St. Lucie West and also
hold long-term civil trials at St. Lucie West (i.e., 7 weeks long). Long-term civil trials are
currently being held at St. Lucie West.
To implement #1&2 would require moving Guardian Ad Litem to the Walton Road Annex. I have
discussed this possible move with Guardian Ad Litem and they are okay with it.
3. Establish a Court Facilities Committee to report to the Public Safety Coordinating Council
(PSCC). There will be discussion regarding the purpose of this committee at the next
PSCC meeting, scheduled for March 31st at 3:30 p.m.
Judge Roby also suggested the City of Fort Pierce and the County consider putting modular trailers
on Second Street, between Boston and Atlantic, to house Clerk of Court personnel until the new
Clerk of the Courts Building is competed on or about December 31, 2006. This would free up
space in the existing Courthouse for hearing rooms. As you know, this portion of Second Street is
currently closed due to construction.
In the upcoming Budget, I will recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that funds be set
aside for a Space Needs Study, including Court facilities, County offices, and Jail facilities.
When the upcoming Court construction is completed in Fort Pierce, we will be basically built-out in
Downtown Fort Pierce, unless additional property is made available.
DMNab 05-35
c:
Ray Wazny, Assistant County Administrator
Faye Outlaw, Assistant County Administrator
Roger Shinn, Central Services Director
Marie Gouin, Management and Budget Director
Dan Mcintyre, County Attorney
Ed Fry, Clerk of the Courts
Tom Willis, Court Administrator
Dennis Beach, City Manager, Fort Pierce
Honorable William L. Roby, Chief Judge
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS
JANUARY 7, 2005
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT: The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
10/04 9104 5/04 4/04 3/04 2/04 1/04 12/03 11/03
Ft Pierce Public Works 116 52 0 0 100 23 0 8 0
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 68 0 100 0 51 0 50 79 95
Treasure Coast Food Bank 741 322 610 763 781 1,787 719 929 734
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 0 0 240 194 150 221 50 135 98
PSL Parks Dept. 790 250 1,283 961 527 990 1,251 841 685
PSL Public Works 0 0 0 50 59 0 0 0 0
PSL Police Dept. 0 19 0 7 0 0 0 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 0 0 29 25 0 138 0 50 106
Salvation Army 221 104 153 163 212 0 89 150 220
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 90 0 8 0 182 50 150 57 50
Goodwill Industries 795 264 205 536 683 408 688 142 311
Miscellaneous Agencies 3.008 1.498 3.306 3.240 3.198 3.456 3.354 2.162 2.818
5,829 2,509 5,986 5,939 5,943 7,073 6,391 4,553 5,117
The community service numbers were not yet available for this meeting.
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious affiliations. The Fort
Pierce Parks Department has agreed to again be a provider for community service hours. The
workers are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
DEPT. OF CORRJ
Jail population w:
before Christmas
expected to contiDl
COMMUNITY SFDVTC']¡' Tn UTXrVC' I'D '" ~ I)UT):
The numbers were ~ c\ ' ~eting.
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the hurricanes. Population was down to 950-960
ice then. Population today is up to 1,020 and is
New construction IS underway and is about 20% complete. The cells are being made in
Jacksonville. They will start trucking them down and putting them in place next week.
Completion is antidpated for August.
With the loss of beds at Savannahs Hospital, 220/0 of the jail population is composed of mentally
ill patients. There is no place to put them. This is being addressed at today's Legislative Session.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS:
At the Legislative Session Senator ,-mitt proposed a donation per home to be put into a fund
that would go towards the Learning and Research Center combine ..,_
control the dollars. There would be a cap on the amount per unit. . I n' .wt ~ JiÞtf~.,. tj¡x Ef 1
impact fee. It is only when there is a transfer of ownership. A sp~~ I election ìšDèëaëil ¡~ ¡ I
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establish. September 2005 is the date for referendum and the election would be in 2006. The
proposal received the unanimous vote of support from the legislature.
COURT ISSUES:
We need to push for the judges we have been selected to receive at the current level. Tell
legislators how important it is. If we know of people that would be good as judges, please
encourage them to apply. The Governor is dedicated to diversity on the bench.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB:
Storm Update - The Boys & Girls Club staff focused on trying to serve the children of the
emergency and rescue personnel. The structures survived except for one trailer that needs to be
replaced.
Ken Pruitt is working on their behalf with a builder who constructs concretables and has
committed to donate a number of them to Boys & Girls Club. They will be moved on the
property to replace the one lost which will triple the floor space and enable them to serve a
significant number of kids. There are hundreds of kids on each list of 15 sites. All are filled to
capacity. On January 19 a meeting has been scheduled with a consultant re a feasibility study to
raise funds for a new facility. Staff is slowly being added but hiring qualified people is a
problem.
The fiscal year for Boys & Girls Club ended September 30. United Way helped out with $3,200
for some costs not covered by insurance for program supplies and $1,500 to prepare the ground
for the concretables.
A question was asked if there is any tracking done after kids have left the Boys & Girls Club.
Tracking can only be done re criminal behavior through age 17 through DJJ. There is no other
mechanism in place beyond that. A radio and TV public service announcement is being
prepared asking for previous participants to identify themselves so they can be invited to come
back to see the Club and the many improvements made.
Approximately 30 Boys & Girls Club kids, who were selected because they made the Honor Roll,
attended a Christmas party hosted by Mary & Mac Mascioli. Hot dogs were served, teddy bears
were passed out, gift certificates from Dunkin Donuts and movie tickets were given out. Also,
Ken Pruitt provided computers and 5 kids won computers by a lottery system.
PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPT.
There are 20 vacancies at PSLPD. It is difficult finding qualified people. H you know of anyone
interested in law enforcement and are qualified, please let them know.
The west substation to better serve the people in western Port St. Lucie is about 3 months from
completion.
Funding of programs has been difficult because of the storms. FEMA money has not yet been
received which has created a budget strain. Cash flow is also difficult for the county.
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WORKFORCE DEVELOMENT BOARD:
Job placements are a struggle across the board. The ad campaign for jobs available migbt be
helpful.
The Workforce Development Board always had one unemployment office in each of the 4
counties. Due to budget cuts some will close. One model combines Vero Beach and Fort Pierce
at a northern center and Port St. Lucie and Stuart at a southern center.
ST LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD:
$20 Million was spent for hurricane clean up to date. Consultants were hired and long range
plans for the future are being worked on. Several libraries lost all the books. Over 500 of the
4,000 employees lost everything they own. Counseling was provided for employees. Teachers
were given lesson plans for each level to help the students deal with the storms. St. Lucie county
is a model for the state on how to handle the emergency situation.
The federal government is not expanding grants for School Resource Officers. We need a
mechanism to make sure the deputies are kept in the schools. A funding stream is being
discussed. There is a piece of legislation to designate money to the districts. Because of law
enforcement presence there is respect for them and a chance to interact in a positive way. There
is a lot of parental support for the Schoòl Resource Officer program.
DJJ:
The Legislature is addressing a $90 Million shortfall in the department. There are currently
more beds than kids. Will be going to the legislature for those facilities with a surplus of beds to
put those funds into a needed category and convert kids to those programs Some reorganizing is
being done. Programs for Indian River county south may go to Palm Beach. The Orlando
programs may go to the Tampa area.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. Februarv 3.2005, at 12:00 Noon
at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
/Is
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS
FEBRUARY 3, 2005 (1;'¡)
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
12/04 11104 10/04 9/04 5/04 ~ 3/04 2/04 !L!M
---. ---- - -
Ft Pierce Public Works 100 0 116 52 0 0 100 23 0
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 110 0 68 0 100 0 51 0 50
Treasure Coast Food Bank 564 320 741 322 610 763 781 1,787 719
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 445 100 0 0 240 194 150 221 50
PSL Parks Dept. 652 907 790 250 1,283 961 527 990 1,251
PSL Public Works 0 0 0 0 0 50 59 0 0
PSL Police Dept. 0 0 0 19 0 7 0 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 175 90 0 0 29 25 0 138 0
Salvation Army 97 71 221 104 153 163 212 0 89
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 202 0 90 0 8 0 182 50 150
~odwill Industries 589 205 795 264 205 536 683 408 688
Miscellaneous Agencies 2.599 3.098 3.008 1.498 3.306 3.240 3.198 3.456 3.354
5,533 4,791 5,829 2,509 5,986 5,939 5,943 7,073 6,391
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Oub, and religious atrdiations. The Fort
Pierce Parks Department has agreed to again be a provider for community service hours. The
workers are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT):
Nov. 2004 Dec. 2004
St. Lucie Sheriff's Office $500.00 $5,686.75
Port St. Lucie Police Dept. $515.00 $5,706.00
Fort Pierce Police Dept. $ ·0- $2,534.25
Florida Highway Patrol $ -0- $ -0-
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee $ -0- $ 50.00
Jan. 2005
$1,257.50
$ -0-
$ -0-
$ -0-
$ -0-
DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS:
Jail population is at 1,040. New construction is progressing. Cells are being set. Interior and
exterior walls will be started soon and the first pod should be on line August 1.
FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPT.:
1,600 arrests were made as a result of the task force. Project Safe Neighborhoods is promoting
gun safety.
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ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
St. Lucie County has $140 Million in building projects. The 2 hurricanes added another $110
Million for a total of $250 Million in projects which include:
· Mets Stadium - One year ago 510 Million in renovations was made to the stadium. The
stadium then suffered $5.4 Million in damages to the facility from the storms. Repairs
should be completed prior to spring training.
· Indian River Drive - 13 miles of road were damaged. H the work is completed by March
23 the county will be reimbursed $35 Million to cover the cost (project is running ahead of
schedule). The embankment is being restored. Phase 2 is 54.2 MiDion for native
vegetation along Indian River Drive. $3.3 MDlion of that is coming from USDA.
Property owners along Indian River Drive can pick the vegetation on their property. The
average value per lot is $8,000 in landscaping.
· Civic Center - The Civic Center was used as a Special Needs Shelter during the
hurricanes. 240 people were being housed there when the roof peeled 00: The plan is to
replace the roof and redo the Civic Center. FEMA thinks the repair cost will increase
50% of replacement costs. It is on the Agenda for the Board to approve the contract for
temporary repairs on the roof which would be paid 100% by FEMA. The building will
then be dried out after which it can be determined whether to replace or flL It will not be
ready as a Special Needs Shelter this season. The county is working with the Health Dept
for alternative locations in Florida. Funding for a Special Needs Shelter at the
Fairgrounds has been requested from the Florida Legislature. The Legislative Delegation
has supported the funding and is recommending it for St. Lucie County.
· Operations Center - A new Emergency Operations Center is needed. During the
hurricanes, the air conditioning broke down, generators stopped working, etc., while 100
people lived and worked there 24 hours a day.
COURT ISSUES:
Chief Judge William Roby addressed the Concerned Citizens group and other interested parties
in attendance. He reported that a proposal to move the St. Lucie County civil division to St.
Lucie West which was discussed 5 years ago is again being considered primarily due to the
crowded courtroom conditions due to the growth in the county. Growth last year alone was 40/0.
This explosion in population growth has created huge caseloads particularly in the Family
Division. The legislature has approved funding of 4 new judges but we do not have the space.
One is needed in this county to just hear Family cases. Courtrooms and offices are needed and
there are none available in the Courthouse. We are required by law to deal first with the
criminal cases, then juvenile dependency, domestic violence, family cases, then civil cases. We
have to take action in the next 5-6 months. H the civil division moved to St. Lucie West, it would
not be permanent. The old Courthouse is scheduled for renovation within the next year and a
half. To reconsolidate everything back in the main judicial campus is the goal. The logical fit
would be to move the civil division out to St. Lucie West on a temporary basis. Once the old
courthouse is renovated, they could move back to Fort Pierce. Judge Conner mentioned that the
Courthouse in St. Lucie West is not conducive to incarcerated litigants. It can handle only 4
dangerous people at a time which is another reason that cÎvD makes sense for St. Lucie West.
Doug Anderson reported that before the hurricanes the cost to renovation the old Courthouse
was estimated to be $2.5 Million. After the hurricanes damaged the old Courthouse the cost has
gone up to $4.5 Million. The insurance company said they would fund $1 Million. H repair costs
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exceed 50% of the replacement cost, the insurance company may recommend demolition. An
engineer is being hired to inspect the building and report back to the insurance company and
FEMA. The Clerk of Courts building is a $6.9 Million project and should come on-line this next
year. A new staircase wiD be constructed in the Courthouse to move people better. A new
cooling system using chilled water will be installed with a considerable savings in electricity
anticipated. Funding for the downtown parking garage has been approved.
The St. Lucie West courthouse is secure. There are two cells that hold a maximum of two each.
Gary Wilson noted that it is presently not conducive to prisoner movement. Putting a facility at
Rock Road would solve some issues.
Numerous visitors attending the meeting expressed concern about the effects the proposed move
of the civil division to St. Lucie West would have on downtown Fort Pierce. It was emphasized
that no decisions have been made. It is in the exploratory stages right now.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. March 3. 2005, at 12:00 Noon at
the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. The meeting wiD be held in Courtroom E on the
second floor. Lunch will be provided.
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
FROM:
~/
Board of County comm~Sio ~ ;'"
Douglas M. Andersonj¥bunty Administrator
March 3, 2005
MEMORANDUM
05-35
TO:
DATE:
RE:
Concerned Citizens' Meeting - Downtown Courthouse Update / Judge Roby
Today Judge Roby gave a presentation to the Concerned Citizens group regarding court facilities
space needs. He made the following suggestions:
1. Move Court Administration to St. Lucie West
2. If the County receives a new County Judge, put the Judge at St. Lucie West and also
hold long-term civil trials at St. Lucie West (Le., 7 weeks long). Long-term civil trials are
currently being held at St. Lucie West.
To implement #1&2 would require moving Guardian Ad Litem to the Walton Road Annex. I have
discussed this possible move with Guardian Ad Litem and they are okay with it.
3. Establish a Court Facilities Committee to report to the Public Safety Coordinating Council
(PSCC). There will be discussion regarding the purpose of this committee at the next
PSCC meeting, scheduled for March 31st at 3:30 p.m.
Judge Roby also suggested the City of Fort Pierce and the County consider putting modular trailers
on Second Street, between Boston and Atlantic, to house Clerk of Court personnel until the new
Clerk of the Courts Building is competed on or about December 31, 2006. This would free up
space in the existing Courthouse for hearing rooms. As you know, this portion of Second Street is
currently closed due to construction.
In the upcoming Budget, I will recommend to the Board of County Commissioners thatfunds be set
aside for a Space Needs Study, including Court facilities, County offices, and Jail facilities.
When the upcoming Court construction is completed in Fort Pierce, we will be basically built-out in
Downtown Fort Pierce, unless additional property is made available.
DMAlab 05-35
c:
Ray Wazny, Assistant County Administrator
Faye Outlaw, Assistant County Administrator
Roger Shinn, Central Services Director
Marie Gouin, Management and Budget Director
Dan Mcintyre, County Attorney
Ed Fry, Clerk of the Courts
Tom Willis, Court Administrator
Dennis Beach, City Manager, Fort Pierce
Honorable William L. Roby, Chief Judge
~: ~ ...."
CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS
FEBRUARY 3, 2005
CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT: 'P p
The monthly figures for community service houn worked provided by CORE are listed below.
2/05 12/04 11104 10/04 9104 5/04 4/04 3/04 2/04
----
Ft Pierce Public Works 235 100 0 116 52 0 0 100 23
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 150 110 0 68 0 100 0 51 0
Treasure Coast Food Bank 472 564 320 741 322 610 763 781 1,787
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 100 445 100 0 0 240 194 150 221
PSL Parks Dept. 1,001 652 907 790 250 1,283 961 527 990
PSL Public Works 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 59 0
PSL Police Dept. 50 0 0 0 19 0 7 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 0 175 90 0 0 29 25 0 138
Salvation Army 67 97 71 221 104 153 163 212 0
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 0 202 0 90 0 8 0 182 50
Goodwill Industries 534 589 205 795 264 205 536 683 408
Miscellaneous Agencies 2.810 2.599 3.098 3.008 1.498 3.306 3.240 3.198 3.456
5,419 5,533 4,791 5,829 2,509 5,986 5,939 5,943 7,073
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Oub, and reUgious affiliations. The Fort
Pierce Parks Department has agreed to again be a provider for community service hours. The
workers are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
St. Lucie Sheriff's Office
Port St. Lucie Police Dept.
Fort i'ierce Police Dept.
Florida Highway Patrol
St. Lucie County Incarceration Fee
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT):
Feb. 2004
SI1,524.20
SI8,244.70
S 6,740.65
S 1,143,70
S -0-
Judge Barnes has agreed to continue with this program.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD:
On April 6 the Workforce Development Board/One Stop Career Center will be hosting a St.
Lucie County Job Fair to be held at IRCC.
On April 9 the Annual Youth Summit will be held at IRCC with 500 youths expected to attend.
Volunteers are needed for this event.
Over 13,000 people fIled for disaster unemployment which is now running out. For anyone
looking for employees, this is a good time to contact the Center as the~~u!~ople ~~~.!»e I~~~~~. for
jobs when the benefits run out. I ::-) ;':
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PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT:
The western Port St. Lucie Police substation is expected to open next month. This wiD help with
police service to the western part of town.
DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS:
Victim notification training was held this morning. Information about this statewide computer
process will be reported in the newspaper.
DRUG COURT:
Next month there will be adult Drug Court graduating class in St. Lucie county.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
Tonight is opening night for Mets baseball. Storm repairs have been completed to the stadium.
COURT ISSUES:
The Probate Division is moving to the State Attorneys Annex on Second Street. They have
started taking credit card payments for fines, etc.
Additional judges are certified for 4 circuit and 2 county judges. Without these judges, it would
have a serious impact.
Judge Robey reported that a Court Space Needs Committee will be formed to discuss these issues
going forward. A space needs study will be done to determine future needs to be just and fair to
the judiciary, the people we serve, and the community.
Currently there are 9 courtrooms and 1 hearing room at the Ft. Pierce facility with 10
adjudicators and on any given day all will be used. The Family Division has an incredible
number of cases. One of the new judges will be placed in the Family Division. There is no room
for overflow. There is a critical need for space. There are not enough courtrooms in the
courthouse.
One suggestion was to move the Civil Division to St. Lucie West. When the old Courthouse is
refurbished in 1-2 years, that space would be available. In the meantime something has to give.
One suggestion is to move Court Administration to St. Lucie West. That frees up office space for
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judges, the Jury Room, and some space for mediations. It doesn't help with courtrooms though.
We are looking at ways to move some of the Clerks duties into some modular units. There are 2
pie shaped areas in the courthouse also available. Magistrates and hearing officers could use this
space. Modulars were used in Martin County while their courthouse was being rebuilt. Boston
to Atlantic would have to be closed to set up the modulars but Second Street may already be shut
down anyway due to construction. It is preferred to keep everything together on the same
campus.
St. Lucie West would become the Administrative Center for the 19th Circuit. Court
Administration and staff attorneys would be out there. This would free up a lot of office space
for Court Services. Could build out a portion of St. Lucie West for another judge to help out
with exploding small claims cases and overflow cases. One is being used for traffic court and one ..
for civil cases. St. Lucie West would be a very central location for Court Administration.
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A court complex out at the jail is being considered. The 6th circuit (pinellas county) has a major
complex at their jail facility and Martin County is doing this as well.
Input is requested. We have to have adequate facUities to implement justice.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY:
Construction on the Clerk of Courts building wiD begin June 20.
The monumental staircase for the entrance to the old courthouse will begin August 1. This will
take a lot of people off the elevators.
A chilled water system to cool the buildings will take the place of roof air units. This will begin
June 21.
We will either renovate the old courthouse or build a new courthouse. Ceilings and carpets have
to be removed first to determine work needed. This wiD take approximately 8 weeks. To
renovate the building we would hope to start August 4 for completion June 2006. To replace the
building we would plan to start January 2006 with completion July 2007.
Two additional floors will be added to the downtown parking garage. Construction will begin
August 1. The courtyard in front of the courthouse will be the staging area.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. Aom 7, 2005, at 12:00 Noon at
the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS ~ /'
DECEMBER 2, 2004 \ iVl1'
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CORE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT:
The monthly figures for community service hours worked provided by CORE are listed below.
10/04 9/04 5/04 4/04 3/04 2/04 1/04 12/03 11103
Ft Pierce Public Works 116 52 0 0 100 23 0 8 0
Ft. Pierce Police Dept. 68 0 100 0 51 0 50 79 95
Treasure Coast Food Bank 741 322 610 763 781 1,787 719 929 734
St. Lucie County Leisure Dept. 0 0 240 194 150 221 50 135 98
PSL Parks Dept. 790 250 1,283 961 527 990 1,251 841 685
PSL Public Works 0 0 0 50 59 0 0 0 0
PSL Police Dept. 0 19 0 7 0 0 0 0 0
St. Lucie County Schools 0 0 29 25 0 138 0 50 106
Salvation Army 221 104 153 163 212 0 89 150 220
Mustard Seed Thrift Shop 90 0 8 0 182 50 150 57 50
Goodwill Industries 795 264 205 536 683 408 688 142 311
Miscellaneous Agencies 3.008 1.498 3.306 3.240 3.198 3.456 3.354 2.162 2.818
5,829 2,509 5,986 5,939 5,943 7,073 6,391 4,553 5,117
The numbers were not available for the November 2004 CORE community service report but
will be distributed at the next meeting.
Miscellaneous Agencies include ARC, Boys & Girls Club, and religious afTdiations. The Fort
Pierce Parks Department has agreed to again be a provider for community service hours. The
workers are given the option of where they want to work their community service hours.
COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FINES (pAID OUT):
The numbers were not available for the November 2004 report but will be distributed at the next
meeting.
SLC COURTHOUSE:
It is very helpful for the judges to have officers present in the courtroom at sentencings. This
could be coordinated with law enforcement.
Judge McCann will start after the first of the year. He has been sitting in on Judge Conner's
court in the interim.
The Supreme Court has certified us for 6 judges (4 circuit, 2 county). Space for these judges will
be needed. Another division at St. Lucie West may be needed. This will be discussed further
with Doug Anderson. There is also discussion about having a courtroom located at the jail.
LAW ENFORCEMENT:
The Port St. Lucie Police Department received an award at the rece~.. a=-m~.OIi.. .·.çe.
conference in Los Angelos. The Department was one of 3 winners . ~ <, c l)~e~
7,000 people attended. John Ashcroft was the speaker. ; r·· . i·
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A Fort Pierce police officer received an award from Parade Magazine. He was named in the list
of Top 10 police officers in the country. Two traffic awards were also received.
Mayor Minsky suggested having an Awards Hall of Fame to recognize these achievements. A
ceremony could be held to make people more aware of them. Mac Mascioli offered to call the
newspaper to be sure they have an article to cover these awards.
A grant has been received to start a gun safety program in schools. This will begin either the end
of this school year or beginning of the next.
A grant has also been received on a project to help save neighborhoods.
PORT ST. LUCIE:
A meeting will be held on December 10 to discuss hurricane issues. Complaints have been
received on out of state contractors. People are also upset about insurance issues. This should be
addressed at the legislative level. Information is being collected from agencies to broadcast
important and helpful information to residents before the storm hits next time.
An exploratory group has been formed to visit the city of Pembroke Pines to observe their
charter school. There is an influx of housing developments with thousands of units underway.
The quality of education should be consistent throughout the county. The subject of bussing is
also a great concern.
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION BREAKFAST:
The Legislative Delegation Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, January 6. A suggestion was
made to request that the insurance issue be placed on the agenda. Judge Angelos will invite Ken
Pruitt and Joe Negron to the January 6 Concerned Citizens meeting.
NEXT MEETING:
The next Concerned Citizens meeting will be held on Thursdav. Januarv 6. 2005, at 12:00 Noon
at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Lunch will be provided.
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