Sheriff Wayne Ivey Space Coast Daily Person of the Year
By Space Coast Daily // January 28, 2014
embodiment of the 21st Century lawman
ABOVE VIDEO: Wayne Ivey was sworn in as Brevard County Sheriff on January 7, 2013, by retiring Sheriff Jack Parker. In just his first year on the job, he has become the most engaged, and visible, public official in the community – while reducing crime activity to the lowest level since 2005.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – For his many and significant accomplishments as the Space Coast’s “Top Cop” last year, coupled with his philanthropic deeds and dedication to the improvement of the community, Sheriff Wayne Ivey was selected Space Coast Daily’s 2013 Person of the Year.
With a focus on technology and social media, Sheriff Ivey is the embodiment of the 21st Century lawman. In just his first year on the job, he has become the most engaged, and visible, public official in the community – while reducing crime activity to the lowest level since 2005.
Sheriff Ivey maintains a rigorous personal appearance schedule, regularly speaking on crime prevention topics as well as philanthropic and social causes. He firmly believes that crime prevention and education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN 2013
Elected as Brevard County Sheriff in November 2012 to what has to be among the toughest jobs on the Space Coast, Ivey had very large shoes to fill coming in behind Jack Parker, one of Brevard County’s best-ever, and a major supporter of Sheriff Ivey’s campaign.
“Wayne Ivey is an outstanding law enforcement officer who has made a real difference in Brevard County and the State of Florida,” said Sheriff Parker, who served to swear Ivey into his new job last January.
“Wayne’s 30-plus years of law enforcement and leadership experience, coupled with a devout passion to help, is absolutely essential to address today’s complex public safety challenges.”
Sheriff Ivey hit the ground running after taking the oath of office on Jan. 7, 2013. When it comes to law enforcement, Brevard is certainly among the most challenging counties in the state due to its many venues including Port Canaveral, 72 miles of coastline, long stretch of I-95, military and government installations and growing population. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office plays a major role in protecting our vital tourism trade and natural resources.
Sheriff Ivey came well prepared for the job, as in addition to his more than three decades of law enforcement experience, he is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of management, criminal investigations, narcotics, patrol services, public integrity investigations and corrections.
Prior to being elected sheriff, Ivey was with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Sheriff Ivey hit the ground running after taking the oath of office on Jan. 7, 2013. When it comes to law enforcement, Brevard is certainly among the most challenging counties in the state due to its many venues including Port Canaveral, 72 miles of coastline, long stretch of I-95, military and government installations, and growing population.
In addition, the Sheriff’s Office plays a major role in protecting our vital tourism trade and natural resources.
In the first three weeks of assuming office, Sheriff Ivey detailed his Critical Incident Plan, which addressed the vital issues of Brevard County school safety in the aftermath of the horrible incident in Newtown, Connecticut.
“While the first three weeks have been fast paced for our agency, none of the issues are more immediate than our focus on school security for our children and teachers,” said Sheriff Ivey.
RECORD-SETTING REDUCTION IN CRIME FOR FIRST HALF OF 2013
The State of Florida’s release of the 2013 Semi-Annual Crime Report (January 1, 2013 – June 30, 2013), reflected a significant reduction in crime for Brevard County residents during Sheriff Ivey’s first six months of service. A review of 2013 crime statistics for the areas served by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office showed the lowest level of crime activity since 2005.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office reflected an – 8.9% reduction, the county of Brevard reflected an overall – 6.3% reduction and the State of Florida reflected a – 5.2 reduction in crime.
Crime statistics were compiled from UCR data and published annually by the FBI and FDLE. UCR focuses on seven major crimes, which include: homicide, robbery, forcible rape, burglary, aggravated assault, larceny/theft and arson.
Always a team player, and leader by example, Sheriff Ivey spread the credit around liberally to his staff and colleagues.
“I believe these results are largely attributable to our outstanding partnership with our citizens, aggressive Patrol, Investigations and Corrections services, and strong Judges and Prosecutors,” said Ivey.
ECONOMIC TASK FORCE UNIT, GAMEOVER, BREVARD COUNTY TASK FORCE
In August, Sheriff Ivey announced the creation of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit and Task Force.
In September, the GAMEOVER Task Force made their 1,000th arrest when they located and arrested 26-year-old Derrick Marcel Brown.
“The citizens of Brevard County are blessed to have an outstanding cooperative relationship between their municipal, state and federal law enforcement partners, who together have taken an aggressive stance against violent and repeat criminals,” said Sheriff Ivey.
“I am proud of the innovative efforts and partnership of the GAME OVER Task Force, a multi-agency effort targeting gang and violent offenders. This Unit has made a huge impact in the community, making over 1,000 arrests since it’s inception in 2008.”
SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC EDUCATION
ABOVE VIDEO:Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey focuses on crime prevention via digital and social media venues. In this video, Sheriff Ivey offers tips on being safe during the holiday season.
Last May, Sheriff Ivey introduced a new Crime Prevention Task Force – an initiative between Brevard law enforcement agencies, using the latest in technology to fight crime before it happens.
This initiative included the all new iWatch Brevard County digital application which allows instant sharing of information from and to the public at large. Ivey outlined the task force’s development of a comprehensive system to reach every citizen in the county through one medium or another.
In 2013 Sheriff Ivey created Brevard Sheriff TV, which provides education on topics like identity theft, home invasion protection, swim safe programs and a way for many other public service announcements to be delivered to the citizens.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page surpassed 10,000 “Likes” in 2013 and is one of the most engaged social media sites on the Space Coast. Several crimes were solved directly through leveraged social media interaction.
“Facebook has become a vital tool for us and given us the ability to reach people not only in Brevard but across the country through the exponential sharing of information,” Ivey said.
In-person law enforcement presentations received great exposure as agencies shared information which brought more awareness to things like personal safety, work-place violence, human trafficking and senior safety.
“We don’t care whether its a group of 5 or 500, we will show up and provide important presentations to the public about ways to improve crime prevention,” said Sheriff Ivey.
IVEY’S SEEN ALL OVER TOWN SUPPORTING PHILANTHROPIC CAUSES
Sheriff Ivey and his wife Susan’s philanthropic efforts are a literal laundry list of the area’s most visible, and worthy, causes including the United Way, Health First Foundation, Crosswinds, Hospice of Health First, Indiafest, Serene Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter, Promise In Brevard, the American Cancer Society, Grape Escape, National Night Out, The Women’s Center, Boys and Girls Club, Central Brevard Humane Society and many more.
In August, Sheriff Ivey announced the formation of Brevard County Public Safety Charity, Inc., a program that would assist public safety officers and their families during times of tragedy.
“The Brevard County Public Safety Charity Inc. program has been formed and will work with our community to help support those that work everyday to protect us,” said Sheriff Ivey.
“This newly created non-profit also provides for the creation of scholarships and other support activities for the community.”
In October, Sheriff Ivey founded the ‘Jailbreak Brevard Adventure Race’ an off the grid adventure race that covered three miles and 12-15 muddy, wet, fun filled obstacles – all the while in hot pursuit by Brevard’s Finest – with all proceeds benefiting the United Way.
ABOVE VIDEO: In October, Sheriff Ivey founded the ‘Jailbreak Brevard Adventure Race’ an off the grid adventure race that covered three miles and 12-15 muddy, wet, fun filled obstacles – all the while in hot pursuit by Brevard’s Finest – with all proceeds benefiting the United Way.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE 2013 BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT STORIES
