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The most critical issues during any emergency have always been rapid
response and reliable service. During 2006 the Sheriff’s Office began
to explore the possibility of combining the dispatch services of
Highlands County’s Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Medical Services
to form one Consolidated Dispatch. This allows each agency to be on one
synchronized dispatch team for fast action. The concept was being
considered in an attempt to reduce operating costs and provide efficient
call processing, and incident management while in an environment
streamlined for the use of the 911 system. The new system was completed
going on-line in segments from April through October of 2006. In April
of 2007 upgraded radio consoles were installed to further enhance the
system. Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) installed in vehicles In
recent years, the Sheriff’s Office became interested in equipping patrol
cars and other law enforcement vehicles with in-car computers, or Mobile
Data Terminals (MDTs). The research and funding project was completed
resulting in the successful purchase and installation of 82 MDTs during
the months of February and March 2007. The addition of the MDTs with
printers has enhanced the response capabilities and efficiency of all
patrol and other law enforcement vehicles. Officer safety resulting
from the tracking of individual units is much improved due to the
integrated GPS feature. Marijuana Indoor Grow Houses Criminal
Intelligence revealed that Highlands County was experiencing a
substantial increase in indoor marijuana grow house operations within
the last two years. In response, a concentrated effort has been made to
step up law enforcement in this specific area by the Special
Investigations Unit. As a result beginning November 2006 through
February 2008, a total of 66 grow house operations have been identified
and eradicated. These efforts to date have resulted in the seizure of
3,772 plants, 81 arrests, $107,145.00 in cash, and the seizure of
assorted tangible property.
For more information please contact Kim Ketchner
at kketchner@highlandssheriff.org.
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