TRAFFIC

Highway 98 to close for helicopter transport

The 96th Range Group is scheduled to move a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter to Eglin Site A-85 requiring the closure of U.S. Hwy. 98 near Mary Esther on February 24, between 1 and 4 p.m.

The closure, which is not expected to be more than 30 minutes, will take place on the South side of the highway near 2712 Hwy 98. Back-up dates are February 25 between 1 and 4 p.m.

The helicopter will be transported by a Navy amphibious landing craft. Motorists should avoid the area during that time.

The vehicle is expected to create water vapor and a debris field of dirt and small rocks due to the pressurized air necessary to hover for the turn. The helicopter will be used for training.

BE AWARE

Fort Walton Beach Police t-shirt scam alert 🚨🚨

On Monday, many residents in Fort Walton Beach received a text message that looked like the Fort Walton Beach Police Department was selling t-shirts.

• However, the text is likely a scam.

The text message promoting the shirts said, “Fort Walton Beach Police Department shirt $10 OFF ready to order now.” The text included a link to a website where you could purchase the shirts for $29.00.

• The graphic on the back of the shirt read, “Everyone is created equal but only the finest served in Fort Walton Beach Police Department.”

By Monday afternoon, the Fort Walton Beach Police Department issued a statement regarding the shirts.

“Citizens should be advised that there is currently a scam going around advertising shirts for the Fort Walton Beach Police Department,” the FWBPD wrote. “The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is NOT currently selling any shirts.”

OKALOOSA SCHOOLS

Pryor Middle School construction students create garden boxes for fundraiser

Pryor Middle School’s first-year construction students have been working hard on their raised garden box project.

• These garden boxes are for sale and will help with funding for tools and materials for their classroom and new covered construction lab.

The construction students have learned to measure lines, in addition to using:

• Levels
• Speed squares
• Drills
• Palm sanders
• Operate a pneumatic framing nailer

The project is put together by the District’s Career and Technical Education program, (CTE). The program allows students to gain industry certifications, and highschool and college credits all at once.

If you would like to purchase one of these boxes to support the students, please email Mr. Rynearson at greg.rynearson@okaloosaschools.com.

CRIME

Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office launches new crime prevention and reporting smartphone app

The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office has launched a new smartphone app to help citizens report crimes and stay up-to-date with news and notifications.

• This app will serve as a new way for the OCSO to connect with residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.

The new app is freely available to anyone with a smartphone and was developed by TheSheriffApp.com, which is a company that specialized in app development for law enforcement, and other emergency services.

The app offers quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use. In just a few clicks, users can access features such as:

• Submit A Tip
• Warrants
• Recent Arrests
• Join OCSO
• Sex Offenders
• Contact Us
• News and Events
• Social Media
• Push Notifications
• More!

“We wanted to take advantage of this efficient way to reach and serve the public and there’s no better way than through their smartphones, which everyone typically has readily available to them all the time,” said Sheriff Eric Aden. “If you want to see if someone has a warrant or who we’ve arrested in the past week, it’s all right there – with much much more.”

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office app is available for download for free in the App Store and Google Play by searching “Okaloosa County Sheriff”.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Carlderius Hansford named FWBPD ‘Officer of the Year’ for de-escalating a suicidal situation

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department named Carlderius (CK) Hansford as ‘Officer of the Year.’

“Officer Hansford exemplifies the very essence of a Fort Walton Beach Officer,” wrote the FWBPD in a press release. “He is committed to making a positive impact in the community. He goes above and beyond the call of duty each and every day. Officer Hansford is relatively new to police work but has shown maturity and skills well beyond what normally would be expected from a newer officer.”

In December of 2021, Officer Hansford was the first to arrive on a suicidal subject call. A man was sitting on the rails at the center of the Brooks Bridge with the intention to kill himself by jumping off the bridge.

Officer Hansford took a non-threatening posture and began a dialog with the subject. Over the next several minutes, he and Corporal Zbikowski worked as a team to de-escalate the situation and calm the man down. 

• They were able to take the man from a highly agitated and irrational state of mind down to a calm and more rational demeanor. 
• He came off the ledge and voluntarily agreed to go to the hospital for phycological evaluation. 

“Officer Hansford’s pleasant and caring demeanor played an essential role in the team effort to keep the man from jumping off the bridge and likely killing himself,” wrote the FWBPD. “Officer Hansford even received a hug from the suicidal person as he was being removed from the bridge.”

Officer Hansford has also demonstrated a strong work ethic and has proven himself to be among the highest producing Officers within the Agency, according to the FWBPD. 

• He responded to over 900 calls as the primary officer
• Conducted 635 traffic stops
• Issued 185 traffic citations
• Made 48 arrests

Still, his most significant contribution to the community and the Agency is his positive attitude and commitment to making a positive impact.

Officer Hansford is well-liked and respected by his supervisors and peers and is described as an upbeat, friendly, helpful team player. He is very reliable and continually maintains a positive attitude and always has an infectious smile on his face.

BEACH SAFETY

Okaloosa looks to add lifeguard services to Henderson Beach State Park

On Tuesday morning, the Tourist Development Council discussed expanding lifeguard services in Okaloosa County to include Henderson Beach State Park. 

• Currently, the 4-mile military beach area on Okaloosa Island and the 1-mile beach within Henderson Beach State Park are not guarded. 

Henderson Beach State Park is one of the County’s most heavily utilized public beach areas. It also represents a large gap in the county’s public safety umbrella, as lifeguard services are only provided on either side of the park.

• As it stands, Florida does not provide lifeguard services within its State Parks.
• The only lifeguard presence is when Destin Fire Control District (DFCD) lifeguards are traversing the park.

According to the county, 3 deaths occurred this past year at Henderson Beach State Park. All were water related but not all were drownings. Approximately 10 deaths have occurred over the last 5 years, but this does not account for near drownings and rescues, according to the TDD.

To appropriately protect Henderson Beach State Park, the Destin Fire Control District has suggested at least three stationary posts and a roving patrol. Capital costs for the towers, a 4×4 vehicle, and other startup costs are estimated at approximately $40,000. 

The State of Florida is willing to cover the initial startup capital costs of the program if the County is willing to fund the ongoing operating costs of the program. The estimated annual operating costs to provide lifeguard services is approximately $80,000.

Lifeguard services would be implemented via an agreement with the State as a 3-5 year pilot program. If the agreement can be completed and approved in a timely manner, lifeguards could potentially be in place by this Spring, but for sure in time for the 100 days of summer, according to the TDD.