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Florida


FLORIDA SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEFENDS LETTERS TO 'PROLIFIC OFFENDERS' ABOUT
‘INCREASED ACCOUNTABILITY’


PASCO SHERIFF'S OFFICE ENCOURAGES CRIMINALS TO REVERSE PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR
'HURTFUL NOT ONLY TO YOU, BUT TO YOUR FAMILY AND OUR COMMUNITY'


By Danielle Wallace Fox News
Published July 26, 2021 12:26pm EDT | Updated July 26, 2021 12:27pm EDT
×

A Florida sheriff’s office on Monday defended an ongoing initiative that sends
letters to certain "prolific offenders" in the community informing them that
they have been selected to participate in a program designed to offer them
"enhanced support and increased accountability," with the ultimate goal of
empowering people with criminal histories to live "lawful, productive and
fulfilled lives." 

Individuals are enrolled in the Prolific Offender Program, run by the Pasco
Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Department of Justice Strategies for
Policing Innovation Initiative, based on an evaluation of criminal behavior
"using an unbiased, evidence-based risk assessment designed to identify prolific
offenders" in the community, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said in a letter
for the program first written in January. 

"As a result of this designation, we will go to great efforts to encourage
change in your life through enhanced support and increased accountability," the
letter says, explaining that recipients will be removed from the program if they
refrain from criminal activity over the next two years. "It is our hope you will
actively pursue change by seeking and participating in the services and support
you will have access to… Although help is available, you are the one who must
decide whether or not you will pursue change and accept the help being offered."

{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}

WISCONSIN POLICE HIT BACK AT SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO ACCUSING OFFICERS OF ‘PLANTING
EVIDENCE’ 

The chief also warned criminal offenders, "Our desire to help you will not
hinder us from holding you fully accountable for your choices and actions." 

"This letter was designed to communicate our sincere desire to help you begin a
new path. We are committed to your success," Nocco told those selected for the
program. "We are also committed to pursuing consistent, firm, and fair
consequences if you choose to continue in the criminal behavior that is hurtful
not only to you, but to your family and our community." 

{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}

A spokesman for the sheriff's office told Fox News on Monday that the prolific
offender program is focused on adult violent and narcotics prolific offenders
and is part of an academic research grant through the University of South
Florida and the Department of Justice. It is a "completely separate" program
within the Intelligence-Led Policing Section, the spokesman said, from a
different initiative within the Pasco County School District scaled back months
ago, which the Tampa Bay Times reported had used students’ grades, attendance
records and abuse histories to determine the likelihood they would become
criminals in the future. 

Furthermore, the Times reported last week on renewed criticism about the
prolific offenders program from advocates now arguing that the letter is
"patronizing," "threatening" and promises "harassment" from deputies. 

"This type of academic research effort, through focused deterrence, has been
well established and documented to reduce crimes in communities," Pasco
Sheriff's Office Executive Director Chase Daniels said to Fox News via email
Monday, defending the prolific offenders program, before taking aim at the
newspaper. "We believe the Times, as they have done continually, is conflating
several different programs and initiatives in the Pasco Sheriff's Office to fit
a narrative which does not exist… We have strong disagreements with their
reporting." 

{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}

The letter, which Daniels said is handed directly to those selected, also
informs individuals that their names and criminal history will be shared with
local, state and federal law enforcement entities and prosecutors, including the
local state attorney’s office; the U.S. attorney’s office; the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement; Parole and Probation; FBI; Homeland Security;
ATF; DEA and "other entities who have the ability to ensure the highest level of
accountability for all current and future criminal acts you commit."

The program offers criminal offenders the "opportunity to receive assistance
from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and several community partners who will work
with you to identify and overcome barriers that have hindered you in your life’s
journey," Nocco wrote. The letter explains research indicates that barriers to
successful living may involve struggles with mental health, substance abuse,
domestic violence, homelessness, finding a job or several other challenges many
people face on a daily basis.

If recipients have experienced these barriers, the letters says, "the Pasco
Sheriff’s Office is committed to support you in overcoming these challenges
through this program." It notes that the sheriff’s office partners with human
resources and includes a quick resource guide with the contact information for
18 government agencies, health clinics and nonprofit organizations to address
child care, housing, drug and alcohol addiction, legal help, domestic violence,
behavioral health and therapy options and more. 

{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}

The Times also reported that deputies have shown up at the homes of individuals
targeted on the intelligence lists at all hours and have sometimes written
tickets for minor infractions like overgrown grass. 

"It is so incredibly patronizing and offensive on so many levels," Bacardi
Jackson, Florida managing attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center, told the
Times, referring to the prolific offenders program. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}

"We know that is not what makes people or communities more safe, this heightened
level of surveillance," Lauren Johnson, an assistant counsel at the NAACP Legal
Defense Fund, added. 

Raniah Elgendi, of the Council of American-Islamic Relations-Florida, told the
newspaper that the letter is "basically threatening and promising a certain
level of harassment and oversight that is in line with the stories we are
hearing from the community." 

The newspaper reported that the sheriff’s office is being sued in federal court
by four people related to those tactics – but Daniels did not address the
litigation when asked by Fox News on Monday. 

Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime,
police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on
Twitter: @danimwallace. 


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