Hours reduced at local Lee Sheriff office
Mixed reviews have surfaced over the nighttime and weekend closings of the Lee County Sheriff’s Charlie District Office at 15650 Pine Ridge Rd. New hours took effect for the substation on Monday, May 24, and the daily availability for public walk-in service has been reduced from 24 hours to 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Charlie District Office joins Bravo District Office at 1301 Homestead Road in Lehigh Acres as the first two substations of five to go to limited hours. The Lee Sheriff’s Public Information Office reported the Sheriff’s Office will have call takers at the dispatch center. Citizens will be able to use an intercom phone connection should they need a deputy to meet them at the substation after the posted hours and on weekends.
“There will be people in and out during what we refer to as after hours, and everything remains the same during the daytime hours,” said Sheriff PIO Sergeant Larry King. “Sometimes (officers) will enter with a suspect or to pickup or complete paperwork. Like doing a roll call, everything remains the same. There’s just no guarantee that somebody will be at the office after those hours.”
According to a press release supplied by the Lee Sheriff’s Office, the changes will not impact road patrol response or services, which are already coordinated through 9-1-1 dispatch at the headquarters’ facility. Deputies will continue to operate and utilize the District Offices and provide the same service as in the past.
“If somebody needs a safe haven, the best thing is to call 911,” said King.
The release also stated “the changes come as a cost saving measure in light of the economic challenges facing local government. The estimated savings by reducing the hours and re-allocating the civilian personnel assigned to the districts is more than $1 million a year. A review of the services offered at night and on weekends revealed significantly less foot traffic and incoming calls by citizens, which could be redirected and absorbed along with other clerical duties.”
Former Lee County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Lee Bushong believes such actions of Sheriff Mike Scott are “folly and very unwise” even during these poor economic times.
“Remember, sub-stations are safe havens,” said Bushong in a letter last week. “The invaluable asset that the clerk serves to the community both as a source of information and as an immediate link to law enforcement is crucial. I keep going back to the scenario where a person in need drives to a sub-station to find a closed, locked door and is harmed.”
Sergeant King was quick to point out the Pine Ridge station has another safe haven in the same complex at the Iona-MacGregor Fire Protection & Rescue Service District.
“Another safe haven is right next door at the fire department, and there is somebody there 24-7,” said King about the complexes’ fire station. “If there was an emergency and somebody was choosing to go to a safe haven, you’d still get that perception. Plus, you’d have the intercom to connect you.”