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KEVIN GRAHAMLooking to build relationships, the sheriff puts a community officer in the FishHawk Ranch development.
Developers at FishHawk Ranch say they expect this subdivision to be the fastest selling community in the Tampa Bay area, and local law enforcement has taken notice.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has placed a part-time community resource deputy in this residential development off Lithia Pinecrest Road. The purpose: to foster open communication between residents and the Sheriff's Office.
"(Community resource deputies) develop friendships and relationships," said Capt. John Marsicano, a deputy district commander for the Sheriff's Office. "There's more of a tendency for people to share information if they have a deputy they recognize."
The Sheriff's Office has assigned Deputy Cliff Fletcher to FishHawk. Fletcher will work part time as the community resource deputy, along with his regular patrol duty, Marsicano said.
Community resource deputies don't go into communities because of complaints or an increased number of infractions, Marsicano said. He said the Sheriff's Office tries to put deputies where they can be a resource for as many people as possible.
FishHawk has about 2,000 homeowners, with 600 homes having sold this year, said Vaike O'Grady, marketing director for Tampa Newland Communities. She estimated the community will have about 5,000 homes when complete.
Fletcher said he plans to establish a FishHawk community council, a group of residents that meets monthly to discuss neighborhood issues with the Sheriff's Office and get a better understanding about certain laws. For example, the Sheriff's Office has concerns about the use of motorized scooters in the area.
"We're going to bring them information pertaining to the law," Fletcher said. "Who can and can't ride them. That's been a big issue lately."
Fletcher said there has also been discussion about traffic congestion around Colleen Bevis Elementary School. He said he plans to talk about solutions during one of the community council meetings.
The FishHawk community council held its first meeting last month with about eight people, Fletcher said. They say they plan to meet the second Thursday of every month. Fletcher encourages FishHawk residents to come to the meetings to gather information for their neighbors and get to know the deputy in case there are concerns, such as noise, that need his attention.
Fletcher said the council won't meet in October, but the next meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at FishHawk Park.