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.

Homeland Security grants used to buy gym gear

The following is a correction to a story run in the Miami Herald dated November 6, 2007. The story was a rehash of an original report that aired on WFOR-TV November 5, 2007.

"...Broward County firefighters have $86,410 worth of weight machines, treadmills and exercise equipment that were paid for by federal money that FEMA sent to the former Lauderdale Lakes fire department. ..."

CORRECTION: The amount spent on the exercise equipment was not $86,410. The amount was only $6,410. The remaining $80,000 was spent on the following:

A generator, rescue saws, hose nozzels, rescue tools, ladders, hoses, a rescue stair chair, fire extinguishers, axes, pry bars, hammers, lighting, crow bars, other specialized rescue equipment as well as over $20,000 of the total that was spent on repairs to the fire house.

All this information was contained in a detailed spreadsheet that was given to WFOR reporter Stephen Stock, but incorrectly reported in the Miami Herald. That spreadsheet is available for download from the BSO Media Relations section of our website, www.sheriff.org.

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.

Deputy shoots shackled man with stun gun in Broward courtroom

The following is information that was given to the Sun-Sentinel related to the article dated March 29, 2007, but was not included in their reporting of the story.

The inmate involved, Kevin Bradley, has a history of violent outbursts in the courtroom. In fact, the day before, because of fears he may once again become disruptive, the Judge's courtroom staff filed a "High-Risk Notification" form. This is a form that requests additional security in the courtroom for defendants that have a history of violence. According to the notification (filed the day before his court appearance), Bradley "has shown aggressive behavior in past appearances in court."

This information was given to the Sun-Sentinel, but apparently not considered relevant enough to include in the story.

Following the incident, it is standard procedure to take anyone who has been involved in a taser incident to the be medically checked out. Bradley suffered no injuries. The courtroom deputy that he grabbed however, did suffer minor injuries to his arm.

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.

Report on injuring of inmate draws rebukes

The following are excerpts from a Miami Herald article dated January 13, 2007, along with corrections and clarifications regarding the reporting in the story.

"...BSO records of the investigation show detectives did not question under oath a number of witnesses, including the deputy who found Jones lying in a pool of clotted blood."

CORRECTION: Every inmate present in the group of cells during the incident was questioned under oath. Approximately 40 interviews were done. Both the deputy who found Jones as well as a second deputy on the scene was questioned by investigators at the scene, and both deputies followed up that questioning with signed statements that are part of the investigation.

"...Likewise, detectives did not re-interview under oath three prisoners and two guards after they were accused by an inmate late in the investigation of conspiring to beat Jones. Two other inmates identified by that prisoner as witnesses also were not questioned under oath."

CORRECTION: The inmate who made the accusations was an individual with a history of lying to detectives in previous cases. His credibility was suspect from the beginning. Never-the-less, detectives interviewed him on two separate occasions and gave him a lie-detector test to see if he was being truthful about the new allegations. He failed the test which showed he was not telling the truth in this case as well.

"...The Jones report, written Sept. 25 but only recently released..."

CORRECTION: The report is public and has been available since September to any member of the public or media who would have asked for a copy. It was only "recently released" because someone only recently thought to ask for a copy.

"...Finkelstein also criticized BSO for investigating itself. He said police have ''every motive and incentive'' to absolve the agency of fault."

CORRECTION: Just about every police agency in the country has an internal affairs division whose job it is to investigate cases involving its own department members. It is common practice for a police agency to "investigate itself." While most internal affairs cases involve possible violations of policies and procedures, any evidence of a criminal nature is also included in any internal affiars investigation and leads to criminal charges when appropriate. In fact, recently a deputy was criminally charged after a BSO internal affairs investigation uncovered evidence that led to his arrest.

"...Neither Palmer nor Derrick Gordon, the control room deputy Palmer had asked to summon help, were questioned under oath."

CORRECTION: Both deputy Palmer and deputy Gordon were questioned extensively by investigators at the scene. Both also submitted signed statements attesting to what happened. Their statements are part of the investigation.

Inhospitable welcome at Fort Lauderdale Airport

The following is a response to a recent letter to the editor published in the Miami Herald.

After reading the December 15th letter (Inhospitable welcome at Fort Lauderdale Airport), we thought it was important to clarify the security precautions and rules in place to protect travelers. The current Federal government alert level at our nation’s airports prohibits any car from sitting at a terminal for any period of time. Broward County also has ordinances that prohibit parking or sitting in front of terminals.

We all sympathize with the prior writer’s frustrations regarding his friend’s lost luggage and his attempt to park and wait for him outside the terminal. The holiday travel season is often a stressful time. It would, of course, be easier if we were allowed to park and wait at the terminals. Unfortunately, the reality we now live in no longer permits such a casual approach to security. The fact is that no deputy, officer or federal agent responsible for airport security can ever know the true intentions of anyone who has stopped his car beside an airport terminal. If a car is parked without someone getting in or out, it must be viewed with a suspicious eye. The rules, while perhaps frustrating to the well-intentioned, are meant to frustrate the efforts of individuals whose intentions are more sinister.

The writer’s inconvenience of being asked to move his car was probably minimal compared to the delays we might all experience if federal rules required each car to be searched before entering the airport. Such a time-consuming inspection might be the only way to ensure a vehicle is safe. As an alternative, the airport provides a free cell phone waiting lot as well as 15 minutes of free parking in short term lots to accommodate those meeting arriving passengers.

Security measures not withstanding, there are also simple traffic concerns with allowing drivers to wait outside terminals. On an average day, over sixty-thousand people pass through the airport. Imagine the congestion that would be created if drivers were allowed to wait for arriving passengers in their cars outside the terminals.

Of course no one likes to receive a traffic ticket, but the previous writer’s ticket was probably based on his repeated disregard for the rules (he admitted at least five attempts at stopping in front of the terminal). As for the noticeable police presence mentioned by the writer, it is both a comfort to travelers as well as an effective deterrence to criminals.

BSO Statement on arrest of deputy

The following is the statement from the Broward Sheriff's Office regarding the arrest of Deputy Lazaro Mesa:

"The BSO internal affairs investigation into Deputy Mesa was opened the same day of the alleged incident, and within hours of receiving the first complaint. That same day he was immediately pulled off the street and reassigned until his recent suspension without pay.

As for the criminal charges, it was BSO that brought the case to the State Attorney's Office. While bearing in mind that every deputy is always entitled to due process and presumed innocent, we are taking these allegations extremely seriously.

While the State Attorney pursues possible criminal charges, the BSO Internal Affairs Unit will continue its internal investigation."

Cuckoo for Coconuts

The following are excerpts from a New Times article dated December 21, 2006.

"...Those are the first things that the mayor [of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea] brings up when asked about the issue that is ripping his quaint and unique beach burg apart: The hostile takeover of the town's fire services by the Broward Sheriff's Office."

CORRECTION: BSO Fire Rescue did not "take over" fire service in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, nor could it. In all the cities and towns where BSO provides public safety services, it has been the elected leaders of the municipality, not Sheriff Ken Jenne, that made the decision to contract with BSO for service. Likewise, it was the elected Town Council in LBTS that decided two years ago to contract with BSO for fire service. Since then, BSO Fire Rescue has always been the Town's primary provider of fire and emergency services. That has not changed.

"...The sheriff's office then locked the volunteers out of the town firehouse and commandeered their fire trucks and equipment."

CORRECTION: With the exception of one older fire truck that was too old to be in service, the volunteers did not own the fire trucks used in LBTS. The fire trucks used by the volunteers have always belonged to the Town. In fact, the trucks used by BSO also belong to the Town. The contract between BSO and the Town allows BSO to use these trucks for the duration of the agreement. As for the older truck, it belongs to the volunteers and remains in their possession.

Protest planned to convice BSO that canal sweeps may find missing people

The following are excerpts from a Sun-Sentinel article dated December 17, 2006.

"...Missing Children International Ministries, based in Pembroke Pines, wants the Broward Sheriff's Office to search the canal for cars and bodies but said detectives and officials keep brushing them off."

CLARIFICATION: The Broward Sheriff's Office searches canals almost daily. Our helicopters fly over canals and search for submerged vehicles from the air. Since the dark, murky water makes it difficult to see more than a few feet below the surface, BSO pilots are trained to spot other signs such as oil slicks, broken guard rails or tire tracks leading to the water. The location of any discovered car is passed to the BSO Dive Team which investigates every single report.

The diving conditions in these canals are among the most difficult faced under water. Visibility is zero. Divers are unable to see their hands in front of their faces. Dangerous chemicals polute the waters along with leaking fluids from the submerged cars.

In addition to our regular patrols, BSO is also staging a major operation in January with insurance officials to recover stolen cars in area canals.

"...Perry said she thinks the dark water of the area's canals could hold the answers to the mystery surrounding scores of disappearances, especially cases where the missing person's car vanished, too."

CLARIFICATION: The facts are that the majority of submerged cars are dumped by car thieves, or car owners looking to defraud their auto insurance company. In nearly 20 years, BSO divers have rarely recovered a body during a random canal sweep. All the victims that have been located have been part of an active investigation or the result of specific tips that led divers to a specific location.

Blast E-mail from the Lauderdale By The Sea Times

The following are excerpts from a blast e-mail from the Lauderdale By The Sea Times during the week of December 11, 2006.

"...[The VFD was dismissed ] by a cash hungry Sheriff Jenne, [and] residents of LBTS pay more per capital for fire service and police service for Jenne’s troops then anyone else"

CORRECTION:

1. The fire agreement between the Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and BSO is a $2 million dollar contract in Sheriff Ken Jenne's overall BSO budget of $700 million dollars. It represents less than 1/3 of 1% of BSO's budget. It is also a contract from which BSO makes zero profit.


2. As for the cost to the Town, LBTS is a barrier island community that - for public safety reasons - must have a minimun of one fire engine and one rescue ambulance ON THE ISLAND to respond to emergencies. While critics claim the town population may be approximately one third the size of other similarly equipped communities, it is impossible to staff LBTS with one third of an engine, or one third of a rescue. On the other hand, while the Town only pays for one fire truck and one rescue, BSO sends to every structure fire call in the Town a total of 3 engines, 2 rescues, 1 arial truck and two battalion chiefs at no additional cost to the Town.

"...[LBTS Town Commissioner John] Yanni works for BSO and in any sense of fairness should not have been allowed to vote to remove the Volunteers."

CORRECTION: It should be pointed out that LBTS Commissioner Jerry Mcintee is an Assistant Chief with the volunteers, and LBTS Commissioner Jim Silverstone is the Chief of the volunteers. Yet both men routinely and repeatedly voted on Town issues regarding the VFD without ever citing any conflict of interest.