Morning Stars

Police Women Of Broward County stars Detective Andrea Penoyer (center) and Detective Ana Murillo (right) from the Broward Sheriff’s Office are interviewed about the new TLC series by NBC-Miami’s Roxanne Vargas Wednesday morning during the South Florida Today broadcast. In addition to the two detectives, DeputyShelunda Cooper and Det. Julie Bower also will be featured in the one-hour, ten-week series that premieres August 6th at 9 pm Eastern on TLC. For more information about the show, visit www.TLC.com/Policewomen.

Smart Car

An airport safety officer at Ft. Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport parks a new BSO smart car along the departure level at Terminal 2 on Tuesday. BSO is using the environmentally friendly vehicles to replace full-size sedans that consume six times the fuel. Four smart cars will be used in conjunction with BSO’s other environmentally friendly patrol tools including bicycles and three-wheeled T-3 electric scooters at the airport. The smart cars, with three-cylinder, one-liter engines are much more economical to operate and maintain than their full-sized counterparts.

Photo by Mike Jachles/Broward Sheriff’s Office

BSO Supports the Urban League

Sheriff Al Lamberti presented a check for $50,000 to the Urban League of Broward County on Wednesday, March 4. The Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) monies benefit local non-profit organizations. This donation is part of Sheriff Lamberti’s ongoing commitment to community based organizations.

Photographed from left to right are Doria Camaraza, Urban League of Broward County Board member; Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, President and CEO of Broward County.

TECHNICAL RESCUE IN RANCHES

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Capt. Ray Hoecherl (center) points to the area where a 36-year-old man was struck by a concrete pipe in an excavation area on Griffin Road in Southwest Ranches. The Regional Technical Rescue Team, which specializes in difficult rescues, responded to extricate the victim from about eight feet below the surface of the roadway. The victim, who was able to talk to firefighters, said he was initially pinned by the pipe, but the workers were able to get the 42-inch diameter pipe off him before firefighters arrived. Firefighters were able to get the victim out of the hole in approximately 40 minutes. He was then flown by BSO Air Rescue helicopter to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood for treatment. OSHA responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation.

Photo by Mike Jachles/Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue

20th Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday, October 4, the City of Dania Beach and the Broward Sheriff’s Office celebrated the 20th anniversary of their contractual agreement. During the past 20 years, BSO has responded to more than 700,000 calls for service; solved nearly 15,000 crimes and made more than 40,000 arrests. “The Broward Sheriff’ s Office is committed to protecting the residents and visitors of the Dania Beach community, says Sheriff Lamberti. Our agency enjoys the partnership and looks forward to working together for the next 20 years.”

For more information about the City of Dania Beach or BSO’s services in Dania Beach, visit: http://www.sheriff.bso/about_bso/dle/districts/d2

BSO, FFP TEAM UP TO SEND HELP TO HAITI

BSO, FFP TEAM UP TO SEND HELP TO HAITI

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti (left center) and Angel Aloma (right center), Executive Director of Food For The Poor, place a sticker on one of seven pallets of food BSO delivered on Tuesday, September 16th.  BSO along with several community partners will accept donations of food, bottled water, clothing and emergency relief supplies at selected fire stations and BSO District Stations throughout the county. Food For The Poor will deliver the supplies to affected areas in Haiti and the Caribbean. Through their existing infrastructure, Food For The Poor is able to get the food and supplies to those who need it most.  The initial delivery included approximately 1,600 cases of meals ready-to-eat. For drop-off locations or information about the relief efforts go to: www.sheriff.org.

Joining Sheriff Lamberti and Mr. Aloma are Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Lauderdale Lakes District Fire Chief Greg Holness (left) and BSO Deputy Jean-Bernard Amedee (right).

Photo by Mike Jachles/Broward Sheriff’s Office

Successful Mortgage Fraud Investigation Pays Off

The Broward Sheriff’s Office received more than $270,000 for its part in a complex mortgage fraud investigation that resulted in the arrest of 11 people, including eight Broward County residents. The investigation was conducted in 2003 and 2004 by the South Florida Organized Fraud Task Force, which includes the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Secret Service and BSO. The case involved the suspects illegally obtaining about 36 properties in Miami-Dade, Broward and Lee counties from 1999 to 2004.

The eight Broward County residents were indicted in 2004 on 53 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and tax fraud. The scheme netted more than $4 million in property and funds, with participants either selling fraudulently obtained properties to unsuspecting victims or obtaining loans secured by the properties. They defrauded more than 100 victims, including property owners, lenders, title insurance companies and unsuspecting home buyers.

BSO’s share of the money was separate from the restitution awarded to victims. It will be used for similar investigations in the future.

“We will turn this money around and use it against criminals,” Sheriff Al Lamberti said.

A Hero’s Welcome

Everyone was all smiles as Maj. Kim Tierney greeted Dep. Maury Hernandez with his parents, Chief Chris McKinstry, Sgt. Rob Furman and Lt. Col. Danny Wright looking on.

Deputy Maury Hernandez received a hero’s welcome from BSO colleagues and command staff at the Pembroke Park/West Park District after being released from the hospital on Friday, October 26th. BSO patrol cars and motorcycle units lined the street leading to the district office and two fire trucks hoisted an American flag near the entrance. Deputy Hernandez made a miraculous recovery after being shot in the head last August. There are enough horror stories and there have been too many deaths,” said Lt. Col. Danny Wright. “Those who don’t believe in miracles can look at Maury, he personifies what a hero is.” Although Dep. Hernandez has a long recovery before returning to BSO, dispatchers announced in law enforcement terms that he’s 10-8 (back in service). The men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office are so grateful to witness Dep. Hernandez’s strength, courage and faith — he is truly a hero. Welcome home Maury!