Year in Review

It has been a rough few months here in Pinellas County. As 2024 draws to a close and we look back over the significant events that touched our lives, it can be hard to remember anything except hurricanes, hurricanes, and more hurricanes. So many people were affected by Helene and Milton, from the 12 lives that were tragically lost in Helene, to the devastation of homes and businesses that the unprecedented flooding of both storms produced. Half of the county evacuated, and some will never be able to return to the places they called home, or the places that provided them with income. Although the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and many other organizations are helping people rebuild their lives, and though I see you all coming together to help each other out, we have all been touched by the devastation. As we rebuild, I want you to remember some of the other significant things that happened in the last 12 months.

Keeping our kids safe is one of my top priorities. As chair of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, I’ve worked to improve school safety here in Pinellas County and statewide. On January 1, 2024 a new Florida Model of school based threat assessment went live in Florida, based largely on the model developed at PCSO. Now there is a uniform system for any school-based threats of harm to others, or self-harm. The modernized system is more comprehensive and adaptable, and will ensure that school districts can share information.

Adjacent to school safety, I supported new laws that include enhanced penalties for juveniles who commit gun crimes. The bill was signed into law in April 2024. It makes it a felony to be a minor in possession of a firearm, and ensures that if they commit a crime with a firearm that there will be even more serious consequences. We have many programs to help redirect youth who have started down the wrong path, but when they get to the point that they are using firearms to commit crimes, they need more than a slap on the wrist.

In the last few years, we’ve had a big problem with vehicles fleeing from traffic stops. Our criteria for pursuing a vehicle are very stringent, because a high-speed chase puts innocent civilians at risk. To curtail the number of vehicles fleeing from us, as of June 11, 2024, vehicles that flee are subject to forfeiture, meaning they can be seized and sold by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, with the proceeds going back to the community and to charities. The bottom line is, if you run from us, we can take your vehicle.

Whenever there is significant news or a large-scale operation, I hold a press conference to share as much information as possible with the public. In one major press conference in July 2024, I let you know about Operation Snow Cap, which took down a major narcotics network and, in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Police Department, broke up a dog fighting ring. In October of 2024, Operation Flood of Fraud arrested dozens of unlicensed contractors who were trying to take advantage of hurricane victims.

Whether in big operations that net scores of felons, or the small-scale law enforcement work our deputies do every day, we have been working tirelessly all year to keep you safe. As we move into 2025 we will continue our long tradition of leading the way for a safer Pinellas.