The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County Sheriff

Pasco’s opioid task force will help shape funding priorities

By

The Pasco County Commission has determined what the makeup will be for the county’s opioid task force.

The appointed board will serve to advise commissioners, regarding expenditures of funds the county will receive from a settlement involving national prescription opiate litigation.

Forming the advisory body is a necessary component for the county to qualify for a portion of the settlement proceeds.

The group will develop an abatement plan that identifies strategies currently being utilized to respond to the opioid epidemic, and will present the plan to the county board by Dec. 1.

The membership of that board will include:

  • The Pasco County Fire Rescue fire chief or designee
  • The Pasco County superintendent of schools or designee
  • The Pasco County sheriff, or his/her designee
  • The Pasco assistant county administrator for public services, or designee
  • A representative from New Port Richey and Zephyrhills, who will alternate
  • The director of the Florida Department of Health Pasco County, or designee
  • A person with subject matter expertise in public health or addiction, who is employed by a provider of opioid-related services in Pasco County, who is nominated to the task force by the county administrator and approved by the county board
  • The chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit or designee
  • A representative from Pasco Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (Pasco ASAP), or its designee
  • A person with subject matter expertise in public health or addiction, who is retired, who is nominated to the task force by the county administrator and appointed by the county board

The biggest point of contention was whether or not a member of the county board should serve on the task force.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick advocated for having a commissioner on the task force and that she would like to serve in that capacity.

Commissioner Mike Moore was adamantly opposed, saying the task force should be made up of professionals in the field.

“I don’t think any commissioner should be on it. We need to leave it to the doctors, the nurses, the licensed mental health counselors, the psychiatrists, the psychologists, somebody from the sheriff’s office because they have somebody that’s dedicated to this issue, probably somebody from fire rescue, as well, that treats this on a regular basis, that deals with this on a regular basis. Let them bring this back to us, then we’ll make the decisions from there,” Moore said.

But Fitzpatrick said: “I would like to be on that board. I have been involved with ASAP and substance-exposed newborns since 2012.”

Moore, however, prevailed when he made a successful motion to ensure no board members were named to a seat on the advisory board.

Initially, the county’s assistant county administrator for public services, or designee, will chair the task force. After that, the task force will select its own chair. Seven members of the task force must be in attendance, for the group to have a quorum.

Published September 01, 2021

New sheriff’s substation at the Grove

By

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has set up a new substation at the Grove in Wesley Chapel.

Patrol deputies now will work out of this substation and desk officers will join them once lobbies reopen, according to a sheriff’s office newsletter.

The sheriff’s office lobbies remain closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, patrol and desk officers worked out of a substation at The Shops at Wiregrass. That location now will be used as an office for the sheriff’s community relations deputies, the newsletter says.

Anyone needing assistance from the sheriff’s office can call 727-847-8102, option 7, to report a crime or speak with a desk officer.

Published April 07, 2021

Pasco Sheriff’s Office appreciates community’s support

By

Amid nationwide protests and movements for widespread police reform, Pasco County is fortunate to receive considerable community support, said Pasco Sheriff District 2 Cpt. Joseph Irizarry during a breakfast meeting with the East Pasco Networking Group.

Protesters have been persistent, and sometimes violent, in calls for reform in the wake of multiple officer-involved shootings across U.S. cities, but Pasco deputies have felt appreciated by the “support that’s been pouring out of the community,” said Irizarry said, whose patrol division runs east of U. S. Highway 41 north to the Hernando County line, south to the Hillsborough County line, and east to Polk and Sumter counties.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office District 2 Cpt. Joseph Irizarry, right, pictured with East Pasco Networking Group chairman Nils Lenz. Irizarry was the featured guest speaker at the group’s Aug. 25 breakfast meeting at IHOP in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss)

“You know, you can’t go anywhere in Pasco County pretty much without getting ‘thank yous’ and someone offering to pay for my meal or to buy me a cup of coffee — so it’s greatly appreciated,” he told the group, gathered for the Aug. 25 breakfast meeting at the IHOP in Dade City. “Unfortunately, many other law enforcement agencies aren’t experiencing the same support that we experience here in Pasco County.”

The district 2 captain said the reelection of Sheriff Chris Nocco has helped the department stay focused on county issues. No one stepped forward to challenge the sheriff, in his bid for reelection.

Touching on the county’s more pressing issues, Irizarry said the agency has placed a significant emphasis on the issues of homelessness and mental health.

He applauded Nocco’s progressive approach in addressing community issues. For instance, the sheriff used grant money to form the Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT) last year.

The unit, made up of 12 detectives, partners with local hospitals and mental health facilities to conduct frequent visitations and welfare checks. It also helps expedite referrals for behavioral health resources and criminal justice diversion programs for the county’s Baker Act repeats.

For example, an individual struggling with addiction may be referred to outpatient substance abuse treatment. Or, someone struggling financially might be referred to Pasco County’s Human Services department and the county’s homeless coalition.

Before the proactive program began, Irizarry said, the sheriff’s office would be called to a scene and make initial contact with someone who was in the midst of a mental health crisis — and that individual might be arrested or submitted for an involuntary mental health evaluation (Baker Act).

From there, it was left to others to address the problems.

But, the law enforcement agency discovered that many struggling people end up going back to square one — spiraling into their various issues, without knowing how or where to turn for help, he said.

“The sheriff kind of took the reins, ‘Hey, we’re going to create a unit, we’re going to be that ‘somebody else,’ and we’re going to follow up,” said Irizarry, who’s held various roles in his 20 years with the law enforcement agency, including patrol deputy, K-9 deputy, and vice and narcotics detective.

Meanwhile, the high-level officer noted that less than 20% of service calls are related to criminal complaints, so the majority of calls are related to non-criminal matters such as mental health and substance abuse problems, among others.

“A lot of our time is spent doing things other than arresting people and taking people to jail,” Irizarry said. “It’s trying to get people help, and use resources in the community or in the area.”

That seems more important than ever, as many individuals and families have been struggling through layoffs and furloughs due to COVID-19.

Recently, the sheriff’s office has been partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay to deliver hundreds of meals to families at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

It’s about making the county “a better place for everybody to live,” the captain said.

“In this day and age with the pandemic, a lot of people are laid off, so they don’t have the money to pay the bills or pay the rent or pay for food…so there’s a lot of things that the sheriff’s office does to help the community.”

Published September 02, 2020

Stepping forward to help, in time of need

By

These are not normal times and the community is responding to surging needs in light of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and Firefighters Charities of Pasco joined together to purchase $10,000 of nonperishable food items, as well as toilet paper, tissues and paper towels — to help Pasco County seniors.

Helpers in a food drive effort sort out food. (Courtesy of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel)

The two groups collaborated with Pasco County Senior Services’ center based in Land O’ Lakes, to ensure seniors in the Central Pasco community are helped during this unique time in the history of the United States.

The Land O’ Lakes senior center serves 84 seniors, Monday through Friday.

The food drive organizers also partnered with a local food pantry operated in the Angus Valley community of Wesley Chapel, by Life Church. The pantry is located at Life Community Center.

The donated food bags include pasta, yellow rice, black beans, fruit cups, applesauce, tomato sauce, cereal, oatmeal, tuna, fruit snacks, animal crackers, white kidney beans, chewy bars and cookies.

The pantry items, which are in large bulk, include tuna, pasta, animal crackers, fruit cups, ravioli, beans, cereal and pasta sauce.

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and the Firefighters Charity of Pasco teamed up to feed the hungry, to help ensure that elderly people and those suffering from financial hardships have access to food during these trying times. (Courtesy of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel)

Goodwill Industries Suncoast Inc., also is stepping forward to help collect food during this record time of unemployment. They are collecting food for Feeding Tampa Bay’s community food outreach program.

All Goodwill-Suncoast retail stores in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will be collection points for nonperishable food donations.

Items most needed include canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and canned chicken.

Those wishing to help are asked to leave donated items in carts outside of the stores.

The food drive is being conducted April 15 through April 30. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m., on Sunday. For store locations, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/store-locations/.

While some groups are focusing on food needs, volunteers from the GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club are making masks for first responders.

Numerous members are involved with picking up and dropping off supplies they can find, to allow the mask production to continue.

Meanwhile, employees of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office are making a point to purchase items at local businesses to help them weather the financial blow the pandemic has caused, and Sheriff Chris Nocco and members of his team are featured in department videos, offering suggestions intended to help people through the crisis.

Volunteers with the GFWC Woman’s Club of Wesley Chapel are working around the clock to make masks for first responders. Shown here are some of the masks they made. (Courtesy of GFWC Woman’s Club of Wesley Chapel)

“We don’t know how long this will last. I know people are frustrated being at home. They’re frustrated by being on the couch, and especially for parents having those little ones constantly running around.

“But, please continue to follow the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines. Stay at home. Keep social distancing. If you’re sick, stay inside and quarantine yourself,” Nocco said. “We have to do this to flatten the curve because it’s not going to be over next week. It’s an extended period of time.

Nocco also informed the public that they will be seeing deputies wearing masks.

“They have the option, like you, to follow the CDC guidelines. Please understand, it doesn’t mean they have symptoms of COVID-19, nor the person they are interacting with has symptoms of COVID-19.

These are some of the volunteers from the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and the Firefighters Charity of Pasco who helped in the food drive to feed the hungry. (Courtesy of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel)

“They’re just taking precautions like they want to, like you can, following the CDC guidelines.

The sheriff also encouraged parents to keep a close eye on the social media their children are using.

“Be nosy. Get involved,” he urged parents. “Unfortunately, we’ve found incidents where young girls, under age, were meeting up with adult males. So, please get on those social media sites. Know what they are doing.”

The sheriff’s office also has videos featuring department employees talking about the issues of maintaining mental health and de-escalating stressful situations during these difficult times.

To find out more, visit the department’s Facebook Page and click on the videos tab.

Local sources of help include:

Feeding Tampa Bay
Visit the website to find a pantry: FeedingTampaBay.org/find-a-pantry/

Life Community Center, 6542 Applewood Drive, Wesley Chapel
Services available include:

  • Laundry and showers for the homeless by appointment. Call (813) 994-0685.
  • Drive-thru hot meal Tuesday, from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Limited access to printing and faxing as needed. Call (813) 994-0685.
  • Food ministry/pantry drive-thru, Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Emergency food boxes on case-by-case basis. Call (813) 994-0685.

TelePals

  • Free program that provides telephone reassurance to seniors
  • If you enjoy, value and love our seniors, if you love listening to their great stories or heartfelt advice, if you love engaging in conversation and knowing that you are bringing happiness to a senior simply by listening and caring on the phone – this may be just the volunteer opportunity you’ve been seeking.
  • Go to TelePalNow.org to apply to be a TelePal (A person who makes a phone call) or a TeleClient (A person who receives a call).
  • Training, a background check and monthly crosschecks are required for all participants.
  • Volunteers must be at least 18 for this program, which operates in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

Want to help?
A new effort has started in Pasco County that’s part of a national initiative.

The Pasco chapter of the Frontline Appreciation Group, FLAG2020Pasco, is raising money to hire local restaurants to prepare meals for frontline employees working in intensive care units in hospitals.

“You know it brings a smile to our frontline workers and it helps our local restaurants in these challenging times,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who is calling attention to the effort.

To find out more, check the Facebook Group, FLAG2020Pasco.

Published April 15, 2020

Stepping up to help

By

Whether it’s sewing protective masks, printing free coloring books, holding prayer services, giving away pizzas or providing pallets of food — people across The Laker/Lutz News are stepping up to help others, in response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Barbara Booth is one of seven seamstresses who is contributing her sewing skills to help make protective masks to help meet needs during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (Courtesy of GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club)

Linda Mitchell, of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, has organized a group of seamstresses who are using their skills to make protective masks.

Mitchell delivers the 100% cotton fabric and ¼-inch elastic needed to make the masks to the volunteer seamstresses, then beeps her horn when she drops off the materials in the volunteer’s driveways.

The staff at RP&G Printing, in Wesley Chapel, created youth activity and coloring books and adult coloring pages, as a way of giving back to the community — during these stressful times. They leave them outside for people to pick them up, and post pages to social media so people can print them, to avoid personal contact.

At AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, a group of “prayer warriors” arrived by caravan, to pray for the hospital’s care team and community. There were two mobile digital boards with scriptures, and the group honked their horns and flashed their lights before parking to pray, according to a news release from the West Florida Division of AdventHealth.

Cassie Coleman, director of the Lewis Abraham Lacoochee Boys & Girls Club, and Kathy Hunt, director of Restored Hope. (Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

The group’s next planned stop was on March 28, at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

Meanwhile, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, donated 20,000 pounds of food on March 27, splitting the delivery between Lewis Abraham Lacoochee Boys & Girls Club and Metropolitan Ministries.

Pitching in at the Boys and Girls Club were State Rep. Randy Maggard, who represents District 38 in the Florida House of Representatives; Patrick Thornton, stake president for the church; Cassie Coleman, director of Boys & Girls Club; and Kathy Hunt, director of Restored Hope, which received 2,300 pounds of food to help people in East Pasco, according to Melonie Monson, who is involved with the church.

Life Church, in Wesley Chapel, has been providing ongoing help and remains committed to doing what it can, said Robin Granger, director of Life Community Center, which is operated by the church.

Thomas Promise Foundation board member Amanda Burns, of Dade City, left, and foundation driver Peyton Yowell, of Land O’ Lakes, watch as cars begin to pour into the parking lot of Pasco County High School, 36850 State Road 52 in Dade City. The Thomas Promise Foundation and Pasco County Schools were both distributing food, to help children who do not have access to food while schools are closed. Thomas Promise normally provides food to help feed children over the weekend, as part of its Operation Backpack program. (Christine Holtzman)

“Our pastors unequivocally said, ‘This is the time that we move forward and we press in and we don’t step back,’” said Granger, whose church is providing to-go meals instead of community lunches once a week and operating a drive-thru food pantry on another day.

It is willing to do more, she said.

“If there are folks who are sick and shut-in, I have a team of volunteers and we also have a team of folks from the church who would be willing to deliver boxes of food to them.

“If you know people who need someone to help organize donations, we have the team of people and the willing congregation to step in and be the hands and feet of who we say we are, and what we’re supposed to do,” she said. (Those needing help should call (813) 994-0685).

The church wants to help, but could use some help, too, Granger said.

It needs more food donations because grocery stores have less to give these days, Granger said.

Bubba’s 33, a restaurant in Wesley Chapel, also is stepping up. On March 27, it gave away 33 pizzas to the first 33 patrons waiting in line at 3:33 p.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints delivered a shipment of 20,000 pounds of food to help those in need last week. Shown here are Cassie Coleman director of Lewis Abraham Lacoochee Boys & Girls Club; State Rep. Randy Maggard, from House District 38; and Stake President Patrick Thornton, who oversees several churches. (Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

The goal was to help feed hungry families, according to a news release.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is pitching in, too.

Deputies and other agency employees are making takeout purchases at businesses across Pasco County, to offer support during these trying times.

Donations also are coming from major companies, as well as individuals.

Florida Blue, for instance, is providing $100,000 to help the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg.

The money is being combined with donations by YMCA members to offer all-day youth relief care for essential workers at 21 Y locations across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and Hernando counties.

The gift is part of $2 million that Florida Blue is using to address urgent health and safety needs in communities across the state.

There’s also a group called Together in Peace that wants to reach out to seniors who normally go to community senior centers during the week, but are unable to do so because the centers are closed.

“We will be calling them to say hello, have a friendly chat, and offer some social connection during this time of social distancing,” Sharon Hall, a member of the group, said via email.

“At this time we are just waiting for response back from Pasco County Senior Services, who we understand will connect us with seniors that have signed up/indicated they would like to be contacted,” Hall said.

Also, NAMI Pasco, a mental health care organization that provides programs and support groups, has temporarily ceased its programs. But, it is offering text peer support services to those with mental health conditions, from noon to 6 p.m., each day it is closed, with the promise of responding within one hour. To use the service, text (863) 223-6799, and provide your first name. Anyone with a mental health emergency should call 911.

Published April 1, 2020

Pasco Sheriff’s Office warns of coronavirus scams

By

As coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) dominates attention globally, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office warns that cybercriminals are seeking to capitalize on the public’s desire to know more about the outbreak.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is warning of potential coronavirus-related cybercrimes. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

There are nationwide reports of phishing scams that attempt to steal personal information or to infect devices with malware, and ads that peddle false information or scam products, the sheriff’s office says.

In one example, a phishing email used the logo of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Health Alert Network and claimed to provide a list of local active infections. Recipients were instructed to click on a link in the email to access the list. Then, recipients were asked to enter their email login credentials, which then were stolen.

The sheriff’s office says it isn’t aware of any cases in its jurisdiction, but is encouraging people to report phishing and other cybercrime.

The law enforcement agency also is advising the following:

  • When seeking information on COVID-19, visit known reputable websites like the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization (WHO) or the Florida Department of Health.
  • Be on the lookout for phishing emails, which may appear to come from a trusted source. Remember, you can look at the sender’s details — specifically the part of the email address after the “@” symbol — in the “From” line to see if it looks legitimate.
  • Be wary of emails or phone calls offering unexpected or unprompted information. Also, do not click on links in emails from unfamiliar sources: they could be embedded with malware.
  • Although social media companies, such as Facebook, are cracking down on ads spreading coronavirus conspiracies and fake cures, some ads may make it past their review process.

Published April 1, 2020

Pasco County steps closer to rental registry

By

Pasco County is taking aim at a problem that crops up when a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy arrives at a scene, and isn’t able to determine who owns the property, or who is authorized to be there.

The problem also occurs when the county can’t pin down a way to locate who’s responsible for code violations at a specific site.

To address those issues, the Pasco County Commission is considering a new ordinance that requires rental properties to be registered.

Senior Assistant County Attorney Kristi Sims is handling the ordinance for the County Attorney’s Office, and she appeared at the Pasco County Commission’s Jan. 7 meeting to give the commissioners a briefing.

At the same meeting, during the public comment portion, a number of speakers — representing real estate, property management and legal interests — offered their input on the proposed ordinance.

Jacob Bruynell, governmental affairs manager, Greater Tampa Realtors, raised concerns about a number of issues, including what would trigger the need for registering a property, some of the definitions included in the draft ordinance and when the new requirement would take effect.

He questioned the target effective date of March 1.

“This seems like an aggressive approach, as most citizens don’t know it’s coming and do not know if their properties fit the ordinance requirement,” Bruynell said.

He also questioned a provision that requires the designated property manager to have an office in Pasco County.

“We request that the ordinance allow property managers from neighboring counties,” he said.

Andrew Dougill, a professional property manager, also weighed in.

Dougill, a member of the board for the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers, said his group represents professional managers of single-family rental properties.

“Our organization is here to speak in favor of the rental registry ordinance. We recognize that the Sheriff’s department has a problem with vacant properties, with slumlords, so we’re very much in favor of that.

“We do have a couple of concerns with the ordinance as written,” he added.

“The first one is the requirement that the property manager maintains a business office in Pasco County. Many of the residential properties in Pasco County are managed by property managers in Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando — so requiring a business office in Pasco County will cause thousands of current landlords in the county to lose their professional manager, which is obviously an unintended consequence and is not the intent of the ordinance,” Dougill said.

“The second issue we have is the definition of a property manager.

“As written, it seems to allow a property manager to be unlicensed, in violation of Florida statute. We suggest requiring the property manager to be licensed by the state, is the way to go,” Dougill added.

Licensing makes a difference
Carl Stratton, the broker of Dennis Realty and Dennis Property Management, told commissioners he has two offices in Pasco County.

He said his company currently manages about 500 units in Pasco, but also manages properties in Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus and Hernando counties.

Stratton also spoke in favor of lifting the requirement for property managers to have an office in Pasco.

He said it “would be a big hardship on thousands and thousands of owners, who have a trusted relationships with their property managers.”

Instead, he supports the idea that a property manager’s office be within a 50-mile radius of the property.

“I think that would be reasonable,” Stratton said.

Harry Heist, a landlord attorney, noted “the ordinance fails to define property manager.”

Heist went on: “A lot of people don’t realize that there’s two types of property managers out there in the world. There are licensed property managers who have real estate licenses that work under a broker and then there are unlicensed people.

“The unlicensed property managers who manage for absentee owners have caused a serious problem in Pasco County and all over Florida.”

Heist asked the county to amend the ordinance to define a property manager as someone who holds a license to manage property in Florida.

“We feel that it will cut down on a lot of problems and this is what will help the problems you are trying to address,” Heist said.

Sims addressed the issues later in the commission’s meeting.

“I had several meetings with some of the people who were here today, as well as other commercial realtors — people representing various groups that would be affected,” Sims told commissioners.

She said those discussions provided insights, which prompted her to recommend changes to the draft ordinance.

She told commissioners her briefing was intended to share the proposed revisions, so commissioners could react to them before the issue is brought to their Jan. 21 meeting for consideration.

Sims told the board: “I’ve come to understand that one of my big problems — and one of code enforcement’s big problems is — these illegitimate, non-licensed property managers: John Smith sticks an index card up in his window at the mobile home park and says he’s the property manager, but he’s not a licensed person. And that park is owned by an entity who is out of state, out of county, etc., etc..”

She’s recommending the definition of a property owner be changed to require it to be a licensed real estate broker.

She’s also recommending those licensed property managers could be from Pasco and abutting counties.

“We feel like we’re going to get responses from people who are holding a real estate license,” Sims said.

She also plans to recommend an April 1 effective date, though the system is expected to go live on March 1, so people would have access to it.

Additionally, Sims plans to bring back two follow-up ordinances. One would duplicate the state law that prohibits a person from acting as a property manager, without the proper licensure.

The other would require apartments, condos and commercial properties to have a permanently posted notice containing contact information for the property.

The proposed changes, she said,  “takes out a lot of the people who aren’t really our problem. It takes out logistical issues for  apartments and commercial realtors, who are dealing with tenants that may come in and out.

“And, I think is more narrowly tailored to address — at least at this point — to address what is our current focus and problem.”

Chase Daniels, assistant executive director, for the Sheriff’s Office said, “It gets us to where we want it to be. It still gives us the teeth we’re looking for.

“We certainly don’t want to impose on these groups that are doing the right thing.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’s encouraged to see support for the ordinance.

“I agree with all of the little tweaks. They seem reasonable. We never wanted this to be onerous. But, we want to have a tool,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Mike Wells added: “All of these changes make sense. I appreciate your taking the time to meet with the stakeholders, over and over again, to listen to them.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed: “You guys have done a great job, working together on this, getting the feedback from the public. We wanted to get an ordinance with some teeth in it, but at the same time not be too onerous.”

Published January 15, 2020

Movers for Moms helps survivors of domestic violence

By

When moms and their children escape from a dangerous situation at home, they may not have a chance to pack clothing or personal care items, or other belongings.

This is the 11th year that Two Men and a Truck has organized the Movers for Moms Program, with the goal of giving back to mothers in need each Mother’s Day.

During 2018, the program, which operates nationally, collected more than 365,000 items for mothers and their children staying in hundreds of shelters, according to a company news release.

Locally, the Two Men and a Truck franchise will pick up items at a number of collection points, where businesses or other organizations have volunteered to accept donations.

Businesses accepting donations within The Laker/Lutz coverage area are:

  • Chris Black Insurance, 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Lutz
  • Cornerstone Air & Plumbing, 4946 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
  • First in Property Management, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • First National Bank of Pasco, 13315 U.S. 301, Dade City
  • First National Bank of Pasco, 23613 State Road 54, Lutz
  • Florida Luxury Realty, 24646 State Road 54, Lutz
  • Future Home Realty, 27552 Cashford Circle, Suite 101, Wesley Chapel
  • Mason Title, 27544 Cashford Circle, Wesley Chapel
  • Pasco County Sheriff, 1195 Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel

Donations will be picked up by Two Men and a Truck during the week of May 6, and will be delivered on May 10 to Sunrise of Pasco County and The Spring of Tampa Bay.

Some of the program’s needs are:

WISH LIST
Curtains and curtain rods

Laundry baskets

Washcloths

Closet organizers

Alarm clocks and wall clocks

Calendars

Nail polish remover

Cotton swabs

Cotton balls

Batteries (AA, AAA,D,9V)

Nail clippers

Flip flops

Electric plug covers

Sponges

Pillowcases

Shower curtains

Blankets

Twin sheets

Twin comforters

Bath towels

PAPER PRODUCTS
Toilet paper

Paper towels

Copy paper

Two pocket folders

Kleenex/tissues

FOOD
Dairy products

Juice

Fruit

Vegetables

CLEANING SUPPLIES
Mops for industrial use

Brooms

Dust pans

Dishwasher detergent

Dishwashing soap

Comet

Bleach

Laundry detergent

Toilet bowl cleaner and brushes

Appliances
Microwave

Toaster

Washer

Dryer

Iron

Blow Dryer

New or gently used clothing

CHILDREN’S NEEDS
Diapers (sizes 3,4,5,6)

Pull-ups

Baby wipes

Baby bottles

Baby/kid shampoo

Kids toothpaste

Kids toothbrushes

Baby lotion

Baby over-the-counter medicine

Thermometers

Diaper rash ointment

Pacifiers

Bibs

Breast pump

Night lights

Breast-feeding pads

MEDICAL NEEDS
Cough/cold medicine

Pepto-Bismol

Alka-Seltzer

Rubbing alcohol

Peroxide

Triple antibiotics

Burn cream

Bandages

Cortisone lotion

Published April 24, 2019

Dade City remembers Chief Raymond Velboom

By

It was standing-room only at the Army National Guard building in Dade City, as police officers in dress uniform and members of the community turned out to honor the life of the community’s Police Chief Raymond E. Velboom, who passed away on Oct. 27.

Velboom’s death, at age 67,  followed a lengthy battle with throat cancer.

The celebration of Velboom’s life began with the solemn presentation of the colors by members of the Pasco County Sheriff’s color guard.

Friends, family and former fellow comrades came out to honor the life of Chief Raymond Velboom on Nov. 15 at the Army National Guard building in Dade City. (Courtesy of Richard Riley)

The audience stood as the color guard marched to the front stage, placing an American flag on one side of the podium, and a flag for the State of Florida on the other side.

The celebration took on a different tone, when “I’ll Fly Away” — one of Velboom’s favorite songs — was played in his honor.

The uplifting, jazzy rendition by the Blind Boys of Alabama, had members in the audience clapping and waving white handkerchiefs in the air.

Those attending the service had a chance to learn more about Velboom’s life.

He was born in Clearwater on Jan. 15, 1951, to Ralph and Ethel Velboom.

His dream of becoming a police office began in his childhood, and after graduating from Clearwater High School in 1969, he enrolled at Florida State University and earned a degree in criminal justice.

He worked as a probation and parole office, before joining the Orlando Police Department.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Department color guard displays the U.S. and Floridian flags at Chief Raymond Velboom’s memorial service on Nov. 15.

He became a special agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 1980, and in this position, he worked as part of the governor’s protective detail and also as an intelligence supervisor.

He married Julie Scott in 1995, a longtime friend he initially met in Orlando.

“Everybody that he met, he treated with respect, expected it back and got it,” his wife said, while fighting back tears.

She talked about her husband trying to lighten the mood by having her turn on Howard Stern’s radio show, while the couple was on the way to Moffitt Cancer Center.

While she wasn’t a big fan of the show, she said her husband found Stern funny and thought he was a great interviewer. So, she turned it on for his sake.

The couple had lived in South Tampa until around a decade ago.

Velboom had retired from FDLE in 2007, but just a year later — in March 2008 — he accepted the role as chief of the Dade City Police Department.

A memorial service was held Nov. 15 at the Army National Guard for former police chief of Dade City Raymond E. Velboom. Velboom’s style of policing was known as the ‘Ray way,’ as he was able to bond with the community in a friendly and cordial manner. (Courtesy of Dade City Police Department Facebook page)

“The main thing I wanted to talk to you about today was how much Ray loved his community,” said Julie.

Sometimes he would call her and say he was on his way home, and then he would spend the next hour driving around.

Sometimes he would stop to talk to people, at random, including the homeless. He also was known for playing cards with everyday folks.

To explain her husband’s commitment and work ethic, she quoted the lyrics from “It’s My Job,” by Jimmy Buffett, one of the chief’s favorite singers.

“It’s my job to be different from the rest, to be better than the best,” those lyrics say.

Father Dewey Brown of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Dade City described Velboom’s dedication to work as “the Ray way.”

When he talked to Velboom, Brown said, the chief emphasized his concern about the need to bridge the gap between the community and the police.

Velboom, Brown said, was a “peace officer” and “he lived out that love for every other person he came in contact with.”

As the cancer progressed, Velboom was forced to have his voice box removed in the spring, but even though he couldn’t talk, he remained optimistic.

He would assure family and friends that he was OK, by giving a thumbs-up or a fist in the air.

His wife affirmed: “While he may have lost his ability to speak, he never lost his big heart.”

And, as she stepped off the stage, the audience applauded, and raised their thumbs in the air.

Published November 21, 2018