Sheriff Organizing Local Volunteer Patrols in Ave Maria
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Published on Friday, 03 December 2010 16:00
Ave Maria residents may soon see another type of security vehicle patrolling the neighborhoods of town.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office is looking to bring its Community Volunteer Patrol program to Ave Maria within the next month or so. Under the program, which has been operating for many years in other parts of the county, community volunteers receive special training and patrol the town in a marked vehicle supplied by the sheriff's office.
"The volunteers are an extra set of eyes and ears for us," said Lt. Tim Pratt, the commander of the sheriff district that includes Ave Maria. "It's like neighborhood watch, but with volunteers who have a direct line to us with radios and cell phones."
Lt. Pratt's district also includes Golden Gate Estates, where he said the volunteer program has been helpful on several occasions in alerting police to suspicious activity.
The sheriff's office is working with resident Tom DiFlorio, a retired 22-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, to implement the program. Mr. DiFlorio said that residents interested in participating in the program should get in touch with him. He can provide an application, or it can be downloaded here. Further information also is available by calling Susan Vivonetto at the sheriff's office at 239-252-0725. Pictured: Mr. DiFlorio with Cpl. Dave Johnson, a community liaison for the sheriff's office.
Volunteers are interviewed by the sheriff's office, undergo a background check, and receive several days of training in skills like CPR and driving. On patrol, they are trained to watch for suspicious activity and report any concerns directly to the sheriff's office. Volunteers are not armed, and do not directly enforce laws or make arrests, said Lt. Rene Gonzalez, the director of the sheriff's community affairs office.
"I'm hoping that any resident who can do this, will consider it," Mr. DiFlorio said.
