Broward deputy reportedly stabbed herself, faked attack

The following is a correction to a story run in the Sun-Sentinel dated November 29, 2007.

"...A Broward sheriff's patrol sergeant lied when she claimed an assailant stabbed her on Sunday but won't face any criminal charges or discipline from the agency, officials said Wednesday."

CORRECTION: BSO Internal Affairs will be looking into this. Filing a false report is a serious violation of policy. Punishment for filing a false report can include termination of the employee.

Lamberti has challenges to face quickly

The following is a correction to an editorial in the Sun-Sentinel dated October 31, 2007.

"...Lamberti has to figure out how to trim nearly $17 million from his budget of over $700 million, because of mandatory property tax cuts. There is also the issue of Pembroke Park possibly dropping the Sheriff's Office in an economic move..."

CORRECTION: The Sun-Sentinel once again is incorrectly reporting that the city of Pembroke Park is considering dropping BSO for its law enforcement and fire rescue services. Again, we point out that the city has already agreed to a new, multi-year agreement for both law enforcement and fire rescue services. This was first incorrectly reported by the Sun-Sentinel this past Saturday, October 27, 2007. In fact, the Sun-Sentinel acknowledged its original error in its own correction that ran the day before this new editorial.

Lamberti appointed Broward sheriff

The following is a correction to a story in the Sun-Sentinel dated October 27, 2007.

"...Lamberti faces several challenges in the near future....Pembroke Park is considering dropping the Sheriff's Office for a cheaper alternative..."

CORRECTION: This is incorrect. The City of Pembroke Park has already agreed to remain with the Broward Sheriff's Office for both its law enforcement and fire rescue services. In fact, the city has agreed to a multi-year contract with BSO.

Crime Spree - Hold-ups in Boca of all-night stores

The following is a correction to a picture caption in a Miami Herald article dated October 19, 2007.

"...IN POMPANO: BSO calls this man, who visited a CVS minutes before a Sept. 4 hold-up, a 'person of interest'."

CORRECTION: BSO released the picture of the individual over a month ago. Since then, he has been identified and has come forward to talk with detectives. Several weeks ago he was ruled out as having any connection to the robbery. The Miami Herald, which received the picture on September 6th, did not check with BSO for an update before running the picture on October 19th. BSO does not consider this man related to the September 4th robbery.

Man beaten and robbed after being left at scene following cousin's arrest for DUI

The following are excerpts from a WSVN 7 News story that aired Tuesday, May 1, 2007, along with corrections and clarifications regarding the reporting in the story. There is also information that 7 News reporter Rosh Lowe knew at the time of air, but neglected to include in the story.

"...Borges and his brother were forced to walk home at 1:30 in the morning in a bad neighborhood by themselves.."

CLARIFICATION: At the time of the traffic stop, Borges (who is an adult) had a cell phone with him, and told the deputy that he was, in fact, calling his mother to come and pick him up at that location. The deputy continued to process the DUI arrest of Borges' cousin. When he was able to refocus his attention on the passengers, they had already left the scene on their own.

Reporter Rosh Lowe knew that Borges had, in fact, called his mother from the scene, but neglected to include that in the story.

"...According to BSO, they allowed Borges to call his mom, Luz Borges, but he started walking home without their knowledge. However, Borges' mother says the first time she heard from Borges was when he was walking home being robbed."

CLARIFICATION: Not only was Borges able to call his mother from the DUI stop, but his mother went to that location to look for him. Her claim that she first heard from Borges when he was being robbed is not supported by her own account in a separate police report filed with a separate agency.

According to report #07-3488, filed with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department that evening, Borges' mother told police: "...Luz [Borges] stated that her son, Harry Borges, had been drinking alcohol tonight and got stranded at the 2700 block of W. Broward Blvd. Luz stated that when she arrived at the 2700 block of W. Broward Blvd., that Harry was not there. Luz stated that she spoke with Harry via cell phone at approximately 0200 hrs this morning. Luz advised that at this time Harry said he was walking on 27th Ave and that he could see the SWAP SHOP. Luz advised that Harry also told her some people had a bottle and were trying to get his necklace. Luz stated that she and other family members were looking for Harry. Luz was issued a case number."

Borges' attorney who is planning on filing a lawsuit said..."If a BSO police officer stops a Greyhound bus, and if the driver is arrested for drunk driving, do they tell all the passengers to walk home?"

CLARIFICATION:If a Greyhound bus has a mechanical problem, Greyhound would probably send a replacement bus to take the passengers. We suspect Greyhound would do the same if one of their drivers became incapacitated.

Regarding passengers in private vehicles, citizens should ask whether it is a wise use of their taxpayer money and manpower to pull law enforcement personnel from patroling their neighborhoods to transport adult passengers who are able to call for someone to get them, and who made the informed choice to get into a car with a drunk driver.

No one deserves to become a victim of a crime, and someone does need to be held responsible for shooting Mr. Borges, but the question is whether the responsible person is the suspect who shot him, or a law enforcement officer who, hours before the shooting and in another part of town, prevented Mr. Borges' intoxicated cousin from possibly hurting himself, Mr. Borges and others...a law enforcment officer who watched Mr. Borges (an adult, not a juvenile) call his mother to come and get him (a called verified by his mother's own account to police)...a law enforcement officer who had nothing to do with Mr. Borges' choice to walk away from the scene rather than wait for his mother to arrive.

Charity spends little, hoards a bundle

The following is information that was given to the Miami Herald related to the article dated March 18, 2007, but was not included in their reporting of the story.

CLARIFICATION:

The money. The $1.5 million from the case settlement remains in a restricted account within the Foundation. The money was originally reserved for a regional data/intelligence project that BSO began creating several years ago. The state-led Florida Department of Law Enforcement took note of BSO's project, and asked that BSO suspend its project until FDLE could create a system to be used across Florida. The FDLE continues to work on developing an intelligence database that will join together agencies across the state.

Therefore, to report that the Foundation is "hoarding" the money is incorrect. The money remains designated for the regional data/intelligence project. BSO joins several other large agencies on a task force to continually re-evaluate technological advances and how best to serve the Southeast region with an advanced data/intelligence product.

What can the money be used for? The rules governing what the money can be spent on were developed with consultation by the same federal government officials that allocated the money to the Southeast Regional Domestic Security Taskforce. Those rules, while including environmental concerns, also include emergency response improvements. There is no language in the approved resolution that indicates the money can only be used for environmental purposes. As a matter of fact, Judge Michael Moore specifically signed the Special Conditions of Supervision which required the defendant (Carnival Cruise Lines) to pay $2 million to the “Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County – Domestic Security Task Force.”

It should be noted that the Foundation is a private charity not funded by public tax dollars, not run by the Broward Sheriff's Office, and controlled by an independent Board of Directors. All expenditures of monies of the Foundation must be approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors are self-selected. Sheriff Jenne is an ex-officio board member and not a voting member of the Board of Directors.

Countywide Counseling of Officers. It is noted in the article that countywide counseling for officers with job-related stress or drinking problems was never funded. That is incorrect. There is funding available in the Foundation. To-date, there has not been a request for this type of service.

By The Sea Times News Flash

The following are excerpts from a By The Sea Times article dated March 14, 2007, along with corrections and clarifications regarding the reporting in the story.

"...At last nights commission meeting we were introduced to LBTS’s new BSO fire chief, (the old one, Chief Fraley after making a mess of things left for Weston)...."

CLARIFICATION: The contract between BSO and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea never did include the assignment of a Battalion Chief, and in fact the Town does not cover the cost of a Battalion Chief assigned there. Never-the-less, BSO Fire Rescue assigned Chief John Frailey to LBTS because of the safety problems created by the paid volunteer department. Because of the leadership he demonstrated while handling those safety issues, Chief Frailey is being promoted. Following Frailey's promotion, BSO Fire Rescue has decided to continue its commitment to the Town and keep the additional position in LBTS even though the Town does not cover the additional cost.

"...Jenne’s Broward Sheriff's Office tried to side slip into Deerfield’s public funds by first going under the voters’ radar by merging with the city's fire-rescue department and by leasing of Deerfield’s fire property."

CLARIFICATION: Every step in the process to pursue a possible merger with Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue was in the open. Sheriff Ken Jenne himself made the initial proposal at a public meeting. When Deerfield city officials first approached BSO about a merger, neither the City nor BSO was aware that the city's ordinance involving the lease of property would come into play. Following several public meetings it was determined by the Deerfield city attorney that the issue of leasing property to BSO would need to be put to public referendum. Once that determination was made, BSO waited for the voters to have that opportunity before resuming discussions.

"...Jenne’s regime has been spending tax payers’ money like a drunken sailor in efforts to have a Napoleonic takeover of all police and fire firefighting in Broward County."

CLARIFICATION: The Broward Sheriff's Office does not approach cities regarding providing any kind of services. BSO does not "pitch" itself to municipalities. Only after the leaders of a city express a desire to pursue a possible merger with the agency will BSO begin discussions. BSO does not make any profit from providing either law enforcment or fire rescue services to cities. It is up to the elected leaders in each city or town to determine what level of public safety services they want for their residents. Regarding the Deerfield referendum, public taxpayer money was not spent on efforts to influence voters on the issues.

"...The additional costs for BSO’s services would have cost homeowners in Deerfield an average around $82.00 per year."

CORRECTION: This is absolutely wrong. Based on the figures presented to the public and Deerfield Beach leaders at open meetings, BSO would have been able to provide more firefighters, an additional fire station, and a higher level of public safety to the city for less than it currently costs the city to provide fewer services. Any claim that a merger with BSO would have caused higher costs to taxpayers is simply not true. The $82.00 costs were associated with the other referendum items on the ballot (specifically items 1 and 2), but neither of those issues had any involvement with the ballot question dealing with BSO. Nor did those first two questions involve any kind of a merger with BSO.

Broward inmate injury lie test mislaid

The following are excerpts from a Miami Herald article dated February 25, 2007, along with corrections and clarifications regarding the reporting in the story.

"...A Broward Sheriff's Office polygraph examiner involved in an investigation into how a jail inmate got severe head injuries has a history of manipulating and misinterpreting polygraph tests."

CLARIFICATION: The "history" referred to are two incidents in the 27 years the examiner has been giving polygraph tests.

The first incident was during an investigation when detectives believed a suspect might be persuaded to make certain admissions if he thought a polygraph test showed certain results. In this case, the examiner was instructed to intentionally administer a phony test. Outside of this limited purpose, neither the examiner nor the detectives ever claimed that the test was legitimate, and it was never used against anyone in any legal proceeding.

This incident, since it was ordered by investigators and intentionally staged had nothing to do with the examiner's competence or ability to accurately give polygraph tests. Sometime later, when the examiner was asked if his actions were consistent with the polygrapher's Code of Conduct, he honestly answered that it wasn't.

The second incident involved a reinterpretation of the results of a test. Polygraphy is an art form that largely depends on the examiner's interpretation. Just as you might get different medical opinions from several doctors, it is not uncommon for different examiners to reach different conclusions.

"...Association members are obliged to abide by its standards, and licenses can be revoked. Hoffman's personnel file shows he has been certified for years. Any complaints are kept secret."

CLARIFICATION: For the reader's clarification, Mr. Hoffman's personnel file is public record, available for inspection, and was examined by the reporter who wrote this story. The secret complaints mentioned by the writer are any complaints that may have been filed with the Polygrapher's Association, which is independent from BSO.

To catch a predator, South Florida style

The following are excerpts from a Miami Herald article dated February 22, 2007, along with corrections and clarifications regarding the reporting in the story.

"...To Catch a Predator, a regular segment on Dateline NBC and the template for this sting, has caught a lot of predators, but it has also caught hell from defense attorneys and civil libertarians for entrapping people and turning their squirming denials and rationalizations into a TV spectacle."

CORRECTION: Procedures for BSO’s Operation Home Alone differed significantly from those used in similar, televised operations. All on line communications were done by trained detectives, not civilian third party organizations. All suspects were arrested, processed and questioned by detectives in accordance with normal arrest procedures. There was no contact between suspects and media before the arrest. There was no contact between suspects and media before suspects were advised of their miranda rights and interviewed by detectives. The only contact between suspects and media was (similar to countless previous cases) when the suspects were being walked to a waiting vehicle to be transported to the Broward County jail.

Publisher's Perspective

The following are excerpts from a Deerfield Beach Observer article dated February 22, 2007, along with corrections and clarifications regarding the reporting in the story.

"...Specifically, they [Deerfield Beach City Firefighters] are seeking voter approval to borrow $25 million to be spent for additional firefighter related assets, and then, if the ballot passes, give it all, plus another $55 million in Deerfield assets we already own, to the Broward County Sheriff’s Department! That’s an $80 million transfer from the City of Deerfield to the Broward County Sheriff’s Department, with the City of Deerfield taxpayer stuck with the bill!"

CLARIFICATION: Mr. Eller remains among the most respected members of the Deerfield Beach community, and as such his voice is a valuable one in the public dialogue. He and Sheriff Ken Jenne remain close colleagues. Yet with regard to Mr. Eller's editorial, it is important to clarify a few items. In cities where the Broward Sheriff's Office provides fire rescue service, Sheriff Ken Jenne contracts with municipalities as a service provider to provide fire rescue services. The fire stations used by BSO Fire Rescue continue to be owned by the cities, remain the property of the cities and its taxpayers and there is no transfer of ownership to BSO. The fire trucks, rescue units, etc. that come from the cities remain in the cities to serve the taxpayers that paid for them. In addition, in the cities where BSO provides fire rescue services, BSO (not the city's taxpayers) pays for the maintenance and repairs of the equipment for the duration of the contracts. In the event a contract is not renewed BSO does not keep the equipment. The equipment is returned to the cities.

New jails: Is there a need?

The following are excerpts from a Miami Herald article dated February 5, 2007, along with corrections and clarifications regarding the reporting in the story.

"...County commissioners approved $62 million last year to build a 1,000-bed jail in Pompano Beach. When it opens in 2009, it will be the county's third new lockup in less than a decade."

CORRECTION: In fact, the County Commission had budgeted $72 million dollars for the jail construction when the Broward Sheriff's Office offered to manage the project and have the jail built for less money. The Broward Sheriff's Office is not typically involved in the planning and construction of county buildings such as jails, but in this case, BSO is handling the construction for $62 million, saving the county and taxpayers an anticipated $10 million.

"...Critics say new jails don't actually improve public safety."

CORRECTION: Jails are not intended to improve public safety. They are intended to house individuals that the courts or laws require be removed from the general population. Improving public safety is accomplished through a combination of BSO's aggresive law enforcement together with other rehabilitative programs. The Broward Sheriff's Office runs many programs that are responsible for keeping thousands of people who benefit from the help out of jail.

"...The new, 1,000-bed jail will cost $62 million to build, or $62,000 per bed -- nearly double the last jail built, which opened in 2004, costing $36,600 per bed. The jails will be about the same size and layout."

CORRECTION: Building costs have risen significantly since the construction of the last facility. In fact, according to research by the Association of General Contractors of America, "...the cost of materials was flat in 2001, rose moderately in 2002 and 2003, then shot up by 10.1 percent in 2004. In 2005, that index climbed slightly more than the overall PPI [producer price index], 6.1 percent vs. 5.4 percent. In the [first three months of 2006] the construction materials PPI has risen a steep 2.5 percent....".

"...Broward County commissioners turned over the task of planning the new jail to Jenne, who will control which firms get the jail's construction and service contracts....Unlike local cities, whose elected officers must vote to award contracts to vendors at public meeting, the sheriff is the sole decision-maker who awards BSO contracts."

CORRECTION: The Broward Sheriff's Office process for selecting a contractor involved a three-person panel of experts that did not include Sheriff Ken Jenne. The three individuals independently evaluated and rated each bid submitted. Each potential contractor was evaluated on merits. Sheriff Ken Jenne did not submit any names, nor did he select any members of the panel. The final decision was made entirely by the panel.

"...To manage the jail population, Cloney and others say Broward judiciary and law enforcement must focus on reducing the average length of inmate stay, which is currently around 31 days."

CORRECTION: The Broward Sheriff's Office runs several programs designed to reduce the number of inmates, and the length of inmate stay. There are nearly 1,000 people in BSO's Drug Court Treatment Division. Over 700 individuals are currently in BSO's Day Reporting program. An additional 1,900 are part of BSO's electronic monitoring program. BSO also supervises over 4,000 people in our probation division.

"...The sheriff faced harsh questions about his decision for a $127 million, five-year contract he awarded in 2004 to a Coconut Creek-based inmate healthcare firm. The company, Armor Correctional Health Services, is owned by a major campaign contributor whose lobbyists included a close friend of the sheriff."

CORRECTION: For the reader's information, because of Armor's qualifications and performace, several other large agencies have also contracted for their services, including Hillsboro, Palm Beach, Seminole, Martin, Brevard, Glades and Escambia counties to name a few. Due to its quality of service and reputation, it is currently one of the fastest growing jail healthcare providers in the country. One of their executives was also recently selected to serve in a high-level position in the new administration in Tallehassee.