V.O.I.C.E group receives appreciation
They are the unsung heroes who direct traffic at the foot of Mantanzas Pass Bridge.
They also tag abandoned cars; conduct traffic surveys; aid in business patrols such as accidents; pick up found property; canvass neighborhoods; process visitors at the stockade; provide assistance to non-profit organizations and civic groups; finger print; check on houses when residents are vacationing; and help patrol for lost children and medical emergencies.
And.they are volunteers.
On Friday, April 17, at the Pink Shell Beach Resort, members of Volunteer Observers Impacting Community Efforts took a break from their duties and were recognized for another year of humble service by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council and the host Greater FMB Chamber of Commerce.
“That’s the one group that is unequivocally the favorite with everyone I’ve been associated with in this town,” said Town Mayor Larry Kiker. “It is volunteer groups who serve this community that make (Fort Myers Beach) such a perfect place to live.”
Tom Myers, who chairs the local chamber traffic committee, had nothing but positive words for the volunteers.
“You people do a great job,” he said. “We hope to have your presence for many years to help us out on Fort Myers Beach.”
The presence of these volunteers has been felt in the community since 1988 when the county sheriff’s department needed more deputies but had no budget to hire them. V.O.I.C.E was born.
“We do a variety of things from directing traffic to checking on traffic accidents to house checks,” said V.O.I.C.E. member John Tridone. “In the early mornings, we check all the shopping centers for vagrants or people sleeping in their cars. Sometimes, we find people who have died overnight and are still there. Usually, we do whatever we’re sent to do.”
Tridone was one of several members in attendance who were honored at the luncheon, an appreciation function the local chamber began in 1996.
If you think V.O.I.C.E. members – who are required to donate a minimum of 16 hours per month – are just retirees with a white-emblem shirt and traffic lessons, you’re wrong. They were trained in the field to do these tasks.
“(The training program) is about four months long at the academy with a hands-on evaluation at the end,” said Tridone. “We follow the deputies for 20 hours and the V.O.I.C.E senior training officer for 20 hours, hands-on. During any part of the process you can be dropped. Some people cannot do this.”
Tridone, who was in the Korean War, explained the extent of volunteering and the background needed for such a job.
“Some people put in 1,500 to 2,000 hours a year,” he said. “Having a service background is not mandatory, but some of us do.”
In 2007, V.O.I.C.E members logged more than 37,000 hours collectively thus saving the Lee County Sheriff’s Office nearly $700,000.
Sergeant Dede Petracca is the V.O.I.C.E. supervisor for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our agency couldn’t run without them,” she said. “They’re incredible. They do everything for free. I have one gentleman who worked 260 hours for free last year. That’s more than a full-time deputy.”
According to Petracca, the V.O.I.C.E organization’s work on the Beach saved nearly $52,000. Her strict leadership is essential to the training and safety for everyone involved.
“Their training is very important and officer safety is important,” said Petracca. “My priority is to keep them safe and the citizens of Lee County safe. I’ll be as tough as I have to so that I get that point across.”
If interested in becoming a member of V.O.I.C.E., you need to be at least 18 years old; a high school graduate or possess a G.E.D; have a valid driver’s license; no criminal record; and in good health. Call the sheriff’s volunteer office at (239) 477-1422.
2008 Recognized V.O.I.C.E members
Last Name First Name
Aiston Andrew
Arnes Robert
Castle Melvin
Chapman George
Cowie Douglas
Dooling Jack
Goulette James
Greco Joseph
Helmer Elmer
Hollywood Clifford
Jordan James
Kent Howard
Kralz Helen
Kurtz Barry
Liskey Garland
Miller Edward
Moulton Sherrill
Murphy Daniel
Nichols William
Oltean Mitchell
Pittro Dominic
Prichard Peter
Rathka Steven
Reynard Warren
Rondeau Amos
Sauer Ross
Sully David
Taibbi Gary
Taplitz Micheal
Torti Henry
Tridone John