TOGETHER WITH
Good morning!
Sorry about the delay on getting this morning’s newsletter sent out. It was a bit of a hectic morning at our house! Nevertheless, we have news to get your day started (somewhat).
Let’s get to it…
PUBLIC SAFETY
Crestview Mayor talks about the rise of opioid deaths as a major cause for concern
“If I told you that one cause of U.S. deaths increased by more than 21,000 people from 2019 to 2020, that equates to over 270 Americans per day, versus the previous year at 198, to then have more than 100,000 die last year to the same cause, would that get your attention?”
That’s how Crestview Mayor JB Whitten started his speech to the Fort Walton Beach City council last Tuesday. Mayor Whitten made his address during the public comments portion of the meeting.
Major Whitten spoke about the increase in fatal opioid overdoses. He stated that one of the primary reasons for the increase in deaths is linked to “lacing”. The practice of “lacing” is when two or more substances are mixed together. For example, buying marijuana laced with Fentanyl where the buyer may or may not be aware of it.
- This means that instead of just taking the marijuana, the user would also be subject to the effects of the Fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
The Mayor has started a push for an anti-opioid campaign by inviting the citizens of Crestview, and surrounding areas, to attend a summit on September 30th beginning at 10:00 AM at the Crestview Community Center, located at 1446 Commerce Dr, Crestview, FL 32539.
The founder and CEO of Project Opioid will be conducting the summit to help educate the public and develop actionable plans to reduce the number of deaths due to overdoses.
- The mayor has also partnered with the Northwest League of Cities to raise awareness of this summit across the Northwest part of the Panhandle.
“This summit is not about any elected officials,” added Mayor Whitten. “It’s not about the city. It’s about us saving our citizens. I beg you as city leaders to encourage your citizens to attend this free summit.”
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MILITARY
Duke Field Airman makes strides with community policing in Fort Walton Beach
Steam rises off the pavement on a rainy Wednesday morning when a police vehicle pulls off the street. A homeless family sheltering from the early downpour under the overhang of an old church structure were startled by the police car until Officer Bhagwatsingh stepped out with a smile and a wave.
Staff Sgt. Gerard Bhagwatsingh, 919th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Bravo Flight 2nd in charge, works for the Fort Walton Beach Police Department as a community-policing officer. He knows a U.S. Army veteran and local homeless man takes shelter in the old church building when it rains.
- He has worked with the man over the past month to get him into a housing and detox program.
- Bhagwatsingh checks on him daily to make sure he’s attending his medical appointments and making progress with the housing program.
“I really want our community to know that I care about them,” said Bhagwatsingh. “I’m not just here to enforce the law, I’m here to help.”
He joined the Air Force Reserve in 2009 with the intention to carry his skills as a defender into civilian policing, said Bhagwatsingh. When he first joined the FWBPD, he started as a patrol officer, but always wanted to do more to help the community. When a position in the Community Policing Unit opened in 2021, he jumped at the opportunity to become part of the team.
“Most interactions people have with law enforcement happen at traffic stops or calls to their homes when they are often having a bad day,” said Sergeant Charles Pettis, FWBPD community policing division superintendent. “Community policing balances this out with positive interactions and deals with the more abstract safety needs facing the community.”
The Department of Justice defines this approach to policing as using partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues.
In practice, Bhagwatsingh’s days change depending on the needs of the department.
- He organizes community events.
- Works with the local homeless.
- Speaks with business owners about their security concerns.
- Directs school traffic.
- Maintains a varied schedule of other tasks to build relationships with local citizens.
“Residents I’ve worked with in the past know me by name,” said Bhagwatsingh. “Sometimes they’ll reach out to me directly when facing a problem because of our familiarity. Building that rapport helps us resolve problems before they escalate by creating trust with our citizenry.”
One way the officers in the community policing division make themselves visible is by participating in local events.
Bhagwatsingh and his counterparts read for children at the local library, make lunches for students, and invite the public out to share meals with them. They often work with local churches, veteran organizations, and homeless advocacy groups to create solutions for security issues.
“We’ve seen recent reductions in crime as we have intensified our efforts and commitment to more individualized services,” said Pettis. “Our officers are able to spend more time resolving an issue and investing themselves into the community, preventing later problems that could emerge.”
Each officer in the division represents a district in the city, where they work to create positive relationships with residents and business owners. Bhagwatsingh represents District Two, comprised mostly of downtown and adjacent neighborhoods.
While he is able to represent the police department positively through his work, he also further solidifies local ties to the 919th Special Operations Wing by getting involved in the community, said Bhagwatsingh.
- His background with the Air Force Reserve often garners him respect from the people he’s interacting with.
“It definitely paints both the police department and Air Force in a positive light when the community knows they’re also interacting with a military member,” said Bhagwatsingh. “Most people in our area often have some kind of relationship with the military directly or indirectly.”
The FWBPD leverages the Air Force influence in the area to collaborate on training and community events. The community policing division often leans into these relationships to help connect to local residents. Bhagwatsingh’s role in the 919th SOSFS allows him to live between both these worlds.
“I’m thankful that Bhagwatsingh is able to fulfill both roles serving his community and serving his country,” said Pettis. “I’m very proud of my officers and the work they’re able to accomplish.”
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARDWALK
Labor Day Weekend Fireworks!!!
Celebrate the final days of summer with a grand finale! The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island will host Labor Day Weekend Fireworks on Sunday, September 4th at 9:00pm.
Pop a squat in the sand, bring a chair, or throw down a beach towel – there’s no bad seats of the fireworks launched from the iconic Okaloosa Island Pier.
- Pro-tip: snag a waterfront view from one of The Boardwalk’s restaurants for dinner and a show!
- This is a free event and everyone is welcome!
The Boardwalk is located on Okaloosa Island, 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach.
COASTAL RESOURCES
100 divers cleaned up 200-pounds of trash from the Okaloosa Island Pier
On Saturday, August 27, 2022, divers from all over the area gathered at the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier for the annual Pier Clean Up Dive.
- It was a record turnout with nearly 100 divers removing over 200 pounds of debris from the pier pilings and the sea floor underneath the pier on Okaloosa Island.
“Hundreds of people fish from this pier every single day,” explains Jessica Valek, Okaloosa Coastal Resource Coordinator. “Fish can break the line, and that line ends up in the water and can get wrapped around pier pilings, which is not good for our environment.”
Certified divers from all over the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area were invited to the cleanup event. The pier was closed to the public so divers could get in with scuba gear and dive equipment to remove the trash.
Items found include:
- Fishing line
- Fishing gear
- Hooks
- Bait containers
- Fishing lures
- Fishing rods
- Dive weights from the boats
- Knives
- Sunglasses
- Water bottles
- Beer cans
“Ghost fishing is a real thing and that is something that typically happens when this debris gets left in the water for too long,” explains Valek.
Ghost fishing is a term that describes what happens when abandoned fishing gear unintentionally ‘continues to fish’ and traps animals, entangles and potentially kills marine life, smothers habitat, and acts as a hazard to navigation.
Even with sea turtles frequently hanging around the Pier, it is very easy for them to get caught in that fishing line, get stuck under water and then eventually not make it.
- “So it’s very important that we are always out here trying to remove as much as we can,” added Valek.
A lot of locals came out including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department and the Divers Down Pollution Project.
- “We also had people pick up trash from the beach. This was a huge collaborative event and wouldn’t be possible without such amazing community participation,” says Valek.
There was a special menu afterwards at Angler’s along with free beer from Destin Brewery.
Looking ahead: A big event coming up is the International Coastal Cleanup. It will be held on Saturday, September 17, from 8 to 10 am at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.
- Everyone of all ages can come out and participate.
- Volunteers will get a free volunteer t-shirt and a delicious pancake breakfast.
MARINE LIFE
Gator spotted swimming in Destin’s East Pass
It’s not everyday that you see an alligator swimming in Destin’s East Pass, but that’s exactly what happened yesterday afternoon.
Around 3:30pm on Monday, this gator was spotted swimming near East Pass Towers, according to Heather Morgan who sent us the footage.
According to Morgan, he swam over towards the coves at Norriego Point and then went in the direction of the Harbor Walk/Crab Island area.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Tuesday!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
