Sheriff Takes Over Animal Services, Port Security

By  //  October 2, 2014

crime rate is at an all-time low

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — As always, October first serves as the official start of our new fiscal year, however today marks the dawn of a new era for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

BCSO-TAKES-OVER-PORT
The Brevard County Sheriff is extremely excited to ensure the safety and security of one of the largest Ports in the world, while protecting it’s visitors, tenants and citizens with the abilities and resources of the BCSO.  (BCSO image)

Together the members of our agency and our incredible community have accomplished a great deal this year. Our crime rate is at an all-time low and our partnerships with the entire Brevard County Law Enforcement Community and our Citizens are at an all-time high leaving us much to be thankful for and proud of.

For example, starting today the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office assumes all Law Enforcement and Seaport Security services at Port Canaveral and also assumes Animal Services for all of Brevard County.

Wayne Ivey
Wayne Ivey

We are extremely excited to ensure the safety and security of one of the largest Ports in the world, while protecting it’s visitors, tenants and citizens with the abilities and resources of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

We considered it an honor when the Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Walsh asked us to partner with them on this important endeavor.

The Port Canaveral Commissioners then voted in May to contract with the BCSO, expressing concern over the anticipated Port growth and resources required to maintain pace with security operations.

By partnering with the BCSO, the CPA not only receives the leadership, resources and expertise of the BCSO, but also benefits from a financial savings of over $500,000 annually.

bcso-star-180This partnership also served to reinforce an already incredible relationship with the city of Cape Canaveral as well, who will additionally benefit with a savings for its citizens.

The partnership will eliminate duplicated services, allowing the CPA to focus on the primary mission of business development and the production of strong economic growth opportunities.

Equally as important and also beginning today, the Sheriff’s Office will assume Animal Services and Shelters for Brevard County.

This is a unique opportunity for the Sheriff’s Office to provide a service that directly benefits everyone involved. This partnership will bring stability and efficiency to a very critical community function and a second chance at a loving home to some of our less fortunate pets.

Sheriff’s Animal Service Unit Has Stellar First DayRelated Story:
Sheriff’s Animal Service Unit Has Stellar First Day

The partnership design combines and enhances existing efforts and resources such as our therapy dog program and our Paws and Stripes initiative. Animal Control efforts directly relate to public safety, whether by dangerous, diseased, abused, neglected, lost, or even licensing of pets. Assuming the responsibility of Animal Services extends our primary function for Brevard County, which is the safety of our citizens and well-being of our communities.

Brevard_Public_Schools_Logo-180Earlier this year we partnered with Brevard Public Schools to create a new “School Security” concept that goes well beyond past practices. This collaborative effort created a new and unique opportunity to implement innovative and effective safe school strategies, and most importantly, ensure a safe learning environment for our students, faculty, staff.

The newly developed partnership provides Brevard Public Schools with a highly trained Sheriff’s Office lieutenant who provides direction to the Brevard Public Schools – Office of District and School Security.

This initiative immediately enhanced communication and coordination between Brevard Public Schools and area law enforcement agencies and was implemented with the complete and unanimous support of each Brevard County Chief of Police.

2014 HAS BEEN FILLED WITH NEW PROGRAMS, INNOVATION

In all, this year has been fast paced and filled with new programs and innovation. Our team members have worked diligently throughout the year to make certain that the above referenced mergers are not only successful but become model programs for other agencies throughout the state and country to copy.

Deputy Michael Spadafora Earns National AwardRelated Story:
Deputy Michael Spadafora Earns National Award

I truly can’t thank each of our members enough for all they do to protect our community. They continually rise to every challenge and have conceived and implemented some of the most innovative programs in the country. This new era in the history of our agency truly demonstrates our willingness to serve our citizens in any capacity we can, to help keep Brevard County one of the best places in the country to call home.

On behalf of our agency I can’t thank you enough for your incredible support. I am honored to serve as your Sheriff and to have the opportunity to work alongside the outstanding men and women of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey 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.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey

Prior to being elected in 2012, Sheriff Ivey served the citizens of the State of Florida as a Resident Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. As a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Ivey developed and created the country’s first ever statewide Task Force on Identity Theft. That same year the Task Force was named one of the top five most innovative programs in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and investigated approximately 44 million dollars in fraud cases. Additionally, as a member of FDLE, Sheriff Ivey created the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T) that re-defined the way Child Abduction cases are conducted throughout the country today. The program was later selected as the most innovative program in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is now used as a nationwide model in the response and investigation of child abductions.

Sheriff Ivey has testified before the United States Congress on law enforcement related matters and has extensive experience in the area of Public Integrity Investigations. Sheriff Ivey was honored as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent of the Year (1996) and was also recognized by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice. In August of 2011 Sheriff Ivey was honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for his work at the national level as an advocate of victim’s rights and protection.

Sheriff Ivey speaks regularly on topics such as Identity Theft, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness. Sheriff Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.