CHAPTER 4
PUBLIC SAFETY
Chapter Summary
Law Enforcement
This section begins with an evaluation of the present juvenile justice system and considers the benefit of diminishing the sharp segregation between juvenile and adult criminal corrections.
Specific recommendations include providing detention facilities for incorrigible juvenile offenders, establishing a day-care center style detention program, and providing mandatory crime prevention educational programs for parents of juvenile offenders. The EAPAB also recommends expanding the role of school resource officers to include truancy control and gang prevention activities.
The Board strongly supports all youth programs. Of particular interest is the need for new programs for middle school students, including transportation for these programs. There is also a need for enhanced enforcement of laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol and illicit drugs to minors.
The EAPAB encourages ongoing support for community policing as well as citizen patrol and neighborhood watch programs. The Board recommends that developers be encouraged to participate in establishing these programs in new neighborhoods.
The EAPAB strongly supports programs such as the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) system. Also important is the need to provide ongoing education for potential victims of crime to reduce their chances of falling prey to criminals.
Every effort should be made to ensure compatibility of inter-county as well as inter-agency communications equipment. The Board suggests several options which address the abuse and misuse of the 911 emergency telephone system.
Fire Protection/Ambulance/EMS
The EAPAB recommends the elimination of bridge tolls for emergency vehicles, the elimination of medical transport charges to emergency personnel, and providing a means to reimburse the EAFCD (Englewood Area Fire Control District) for medical supplies used during mutual aid calls.
An evaluation of the current EMS LOS should be conducted to determine if additional transport equipment is needed .
North Port and Charlotte County should pursue the joint construction of a new fire station and establish a formal liaison program between their fire and emergency management departments.
The Board supports the continuation of the Division of Forestry fire control program. The EAPAB also recommends that an inter-local agreement be enacted to prevent a jurisdictional conflict with the EAFCD in the event of an emergency.
Hurricane Preparedness
The EAPAB recommends enhancing public awareness of the refuge of last resort concept and increasing the number of structures which could serve in this refuge role. The Board also suggests developing plans to reconfigure selected roads for one-way traffic for evacuation, and implementing a public safety warning siren system.
The Board also endorses the establishment of a dedicated cable channel for public safety and public service purposes. The EAPAB recommends the formation of a bi-county disaster recovery council to assist in implementing emergency recovery plans in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
INTRODUCTION
The major topic of Public Safety was divided into three (3) sub-categories.
* Law Enforcement
* Fire Protection, Ambulance and Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
* Hurricane Awareness
As the Board addressed these issues, there was a considerable degree of overlap among the various sub-topics. Throughout the discussions of every aspect of Public Safety, two resounding themes were heard over and over: Communication and Education. These included interpersonal aspects of communication as well as communication in the strict technological sense. Similarly, educational programs were not limited to the formal schoolroom class concept.
In dealing with the issue of public safety, particularly in the area of law enforcement, the discussion often focused on aspects which neither are peculiar to the Englewood area, nor are within the jurisdiction of local governments. Nevertheless, these aspects are crucial to fully understanding certain of the recommendations made herein.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Juvenile Justice
The present criminal justice system sharply segregates the two levels of criminal justice, juvenile and adult, fostering a sinister symbiosis between these two criminal populations. The juveniles, essentially immune from the more severe penalties of the adult criminal justice system, are utilized by the adult criminal element. These children serve as 'mules' or couriers. They transport drugs, firearms, stolen goods and other contraband for their adult tutors. In exchange they receive excellent first hand training in the ways of the criminal establishment.
The Board gave serious consideration to recommending the establishment of a 'single tier' criminal corrections system. This would create an environment where all criminals, juvenile and adult alike, would be treated in essentially the same manner. The Board recognized that this would not only be a severe measure, but also could prove extremely counter-productive in the majority of juvenile cases where there is essentially no recidivism.
There would be a great benefit, however, in 'graying' and broadening the fine line that currently separates these two justice systems. One means of accomplishing this is through the use of boot camps, which subject juveniles to a strict disciplinary environment without exposing them to the hardened criminal populations found in a prison environment.
Another area where there should be less differentiation between the juvenile and adult realms deals with legitimate access to criminal records of youthful offenders. It appears that some headway is being made in this area through the implementation of the Florida Statewide SHOCAP (Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program) Initiative.
Detention Facilities for Incorrigible Juvenile Offenders
Regardless of the number and degree of preventative measures society takes, there will always be a number of individuals who can not, or will not, refrain from criminal activity. This is true of any population cross-section, juvenile as well as adult. When persons are identified as belonging to this group, there is really very little that can be done other than to incarcerate them.
Juvenile offenders, regardless of their criminal record, should not be intermixed with adult prison populations. There is a need for detention facilities for incorrigible juvenile offenders. These do not necessarily need to be separate prison facilities. A separate wing or section on an existing or planned jail or prison would prove adequate for these purposes. Based upon the relatively small number of individuals for whom this action would be appropriate, the provision of twenty-five (25) beds is considered adequate to serve an entire county.
The Board considered recommending a bi-county or regional facility adequate to serve a relatively large area. This arrangement would appear to have an advantage over separate, individual facilities by not duplicating the same types of services. The Board recognized, however, that the logistics involved in operating such a facility would likely be prohibitive.
In the event that a facility such as this is constructed in one county before the other, an inter-local agreement should be implemented which would allow joint use of this detention facility whenever the capacity in excess of population permits.
Day-Care Center Style Juvenile Detention Program
A novel approach to juvenile detention evolved from some of the discussions held by the Board. One apparently practical method of segregating problem youths from the others while keeping them in a controlled environment, is to establish a day-care center styled juvenile detention program.
This program would be suitable for youths who would be otherwise facing suspension or expulsion from school; children who have been in trouble, but not to the extent which would warrant incarceration.
Transportation to and from the program facility would be the responsibility of the parent or guardian. This would not only ensure attendance and eliminate transportation costs, it would also ensure adult supervision of the juvenile throughout the day, which is the main objective of this program.
This program should include a curriculum which would expose the participants to a high degree of discipline. Also of benefit would be sessions with others who have been through the corrections system, to instill a 'peer pressure' incentive to avoid activities which could lead to a criminal career.
Courses (education) for Parents of Juvenile Offenders
Crime prevention begins in the home, with the family unit. It is often the case that the parents of a juvenile offender do not know how to properly deal with their child's delinquency. The EAPAB feels that these parents or guardians should be required to participate in an educational program to help them deal with this situation.
While the onus of being required to attend these programs may act as an incentive for the parent to ensure that their children do not become involved in criminal activity, the primary objective of this program would be to provide the parents with the necessary tools to prevent a recurring offense.
This program's curriculum should include basic principles of psychology for dealing with problem children; a fundamental familiarization with the criminal justice system; and a thorough understanding of the disciplinary tools which parents may legally utilize to maintain adequate control over their children.
These programs should be available to all parents or guardians of 'at-risk' children. Voluntary participation by these individuals should be encouraged in an attempt to provide as much preventative assistance as possible. For those who are legally responsible for the criminal acts of minors, however, participation in this program should be mandatory.
School Resource Officers
* Truancy program
* Gang prevention education
The role of school resource officers should be expanded to include activity in truancy prevention programs and gang prevention education.
The school resource officer program is an excellent means of enhancing crime prevention. The benefits of this program go well beyond enforcing law and order on the school campus. The positive interaction between students and the resource officer establishes a lasting basis of understanding and respect for all law enforcement personnel.
Another significant role of the school resource officer should be the identification of 'at-risk' students. Adequate, appropriate and timely intervention can, in many cases, prevent these individuals from becoming juvenile justice system statistics.
One of the leading indicators of potential juvenile delinquency is school truancy. It seems only natural to involve the school resource officer in this aspect of the educational system.
An emerging and very serious threat in this area is that of youth gangs. School resource officers should receive extensive initial and recurring instruction on the identification of gangs and gang related activities. Special emphasis should be placed on identifying gang recruitment practices. Training should include methods of counteracting these type of gang activities once they are identified or suspected.
Youth Programs
One of the most effective methods of deterring juvenile criminal behavior is to provide adequate alternative programs. Most of the well recognized programs such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, YMCA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Explorers, Police Athletic League, Little League, and Pop Warner are already established in the Englewood community. All of these programs should be promoted and supported to the fullest extent possible.
While all of these programs rely heavily on volunteer participation, many also require facilities to carry out their activities. This is especially true of the sports programs. Every effort should be made to ensure that adequate facilities are available to meet the needs of the local youth programs.
Programs for Middle School
* Include transportation
A major concern is the apparent lack of adequate programs for middle school students. In addition to providing additional programs for this age group, the issue of transportation to and from these activities should be addressed.
Consideration should be given to utilizing a portion of the school bus fleet to provide a means of transporting students to some of these extra-curricular activities.
Increased Enforcement--Sale of Alcohol/Drugs to Minors
* Including indirect sales
The introduction of illicit drugs and alcohol to minors is one of the most serious offenses leading to juvenile crime. Law enforcement should be encouraged to increase enforcement of laws prohibiting alcohol sales to minors. This should address not only the point-of-sale violations, but also indirect sale of alcohol to minors by adults who purchase alcoholic beverages for minors.
Adult Criminal Justice
Juvenile justice is not the only area in the criminal corrections system in need of fundamental attention. There are criminal courts throughout this area where a person will not be adjudicated guilty until their third conviction for the same offense (a perverted twist of the three strikes philosophy). In these courts, it is quite common for a judge to hand down a sentence for violation of probation which is ... probation.
Crime Prevention
Community Policing
Any increase in the visible presence of law enforcement personnel will tend to further deter criminal activity. Establishing a sound, positive relationship between law enforcement agencies and the general public will improve the effectiveness of any existing law enforcement program.
The community policing programs which have been established in Sarasota and Charlotte counties accomplish both of these goals in a single, cost-effective system. These programs should be continued and expanded where currently in place; instituted in areas where there is not yet a local facility; and funded to the fullest extent necessary to maintain a widespread implementation of this program.
Citizens Patrols/Neighborhood Watch
* Encourage in new neighborhoods
* Provide developer incentives
Directly involving the general public in peripheral law enforcement programs is of significant benefit to the community. Programs such as citizen patrols, neighborhood watch, and other similar programs should be actively promoted in all communities. These activities require a minimal investment of funding and time from the law enforcement agencies, and have proven to reap tremendous benefits in deterring crime.
These crime prevention programs are often of most benefit in new developments where vacant home sites leave large gaps between occupied residences. These secluded areas, vacant lots, and construction sites provide ideal operating environments for a variety of criminal activities. One of the more difficult challenges, however, is to have these citizen-run programs instituted, in a timely fashion, within these newly-formed neighborhoods.
A possible solution to this situation would be to involve the developer in this process. This could be accomplished by providing incentives for a developer-established citizens' crime deterrent program. Qualification for these incentives should also require assurances that the program will be adequately maintained until the development population is able to assume full responsibility for the program.
Some interests may resist this type of policy on the basis that a mandatory 'crime watch' program could cast a negative image on the development. This attitude could well be countered by providing the positive aspects of this system. Promoting this as a 'neighborhood watch' or 'safe streets' program would have a much better marketing appeal than something called 'crime patrol'. If the notion of establishing a reasonably safe place to live was an inherent marketing problem, there would not be the current proliferation of extravagant gated communities.
CPTED Program
* Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
CPTED programs should be encouraged and expanded. At a minimum, a review of the CPTED principles should be a mandatory step in the permitting process for any new development.
CPTED (pronounced sep'-ted) is a relatively new concept in community crime prevention. The traditional approach to new development, especially commercial projects, has been to isolate or 'buffer' new buildings from existing populations; to conceal parking areas, which were considered unsightly, from patrons' view; and to generally create clusters of secluded activity centers. These sequestered locations are well suited for criminal activity.
The CPTED concept is, to a large degree, in direct opposition to this traditional approach. CPTED promotes increasing visibility in nearly all aspects of new development, while maintaining esthetic compatibility with the community. This high level of visibility is a natural deterrent to all types of criminal activity.
Design and construction implementing CPTED principles are generally no more or less expensive than the traditional approach. What is required, though, is a re-addressing of local zoning and building code requirements and restrictions.
Ongoing Education of Potential Victims
Every crime has a perpetrator and a victim. In the majority of cases, the victim of a criminal act is an unwitting accomplice. While this is especially true of crimes involving scams or confidence activities, a wide variety of other criminal acts are made possible and even encouraged by the actions of the victim.
Educational programs should be established or enhanced to encourage people to eliminate practices which assist would-be criminals, such as leaving doors or windows unlocked. These programs should also encourage activities which deter criminal activity, such as installing alarm systems or motion-detecting lights.
An extra and ongoing effort must be made to continually remind those who are particularly vulnerable to the scams and con games. Our society's bombardment with game shows, sweepstakes and lotteries make the plausibility of success at get-rich-quick and something-for-nothing schemes all too likely. The number of individuals who repeatedly fall prey to the same scheme is truly alarming.
Unless this segment of the population is made aware, and constantly reminded, of the nature and methods used by the scam artists and con men, they will continue to be victimized by these predators.
The burden for this continuing program should not rest solely with the government. The private sector, primarily through the media, should actively participate in this educational process.
Communications
Inter-agency Communications
* Ensure inter-county compatibility of communications systems
* Centralized Dispatch
As the population and service needs grow, and as technology expands, the communications needs of the area change. Both counties will soon be using 'trunked' radio communications systems. These systems allow inter-agency radio contact.
Both counties should ensure that there is sufficient compatibility among their various communications systems to also allow inter-county communications as well.
With the advent of these flexible communications systems, various agencies within one county, or even spanning multiple counties, may share dispatch services in order to increase response efficiency, decrease operations overhead expense, or both.
911 Abuse/Misuse
Intentional, malicious abuse of the 911 emergency telephone system is adequately addressed under existing law. Inadvertent misuse or abuse, however, is not appropriate for prosecution under these laws. There is, nevertheless, a compelling need to minimize improper use of this system so that legitimate emergency calls can be processed adequately and efficiently.
One possible solution would be the establishment of a facility to which 911 operators could easily transfer inappropriate calls. This clearing house would then either answer the caller's question or direct them to an appropriate agency. The clearing center could also counsel the caller as to the correct use of the 911 service and explain the need to keep the 911 circuits clear, as well as the potential penalties for emergency line abuse.
Another way of deterring the emergency line offenders would be to enable the 911 operators to electronically asses a 'toll fee' for any invalid calls. The appearance of these charges on the caller's monthly bill would provide ample incentive to utilize other, more appropriate, means of obtaining routine information or service.
Perhaps the most effective method of reducing the number of superfluous calls to the 911 emergency lines would be for the private sector to establish an easily-dialed or easily-remembered number which could address the majority of the erroneously-placed calls. This 'alternative' number could carry a toll fee which would fund the service.
Any approach to addressing the 911 misuse/abuse issue should ensure that the general public is not discouraged, to any degree, from using the 911 system in every appropriate situation. The investment in these systems, and the degree to which they have played a role in saving property and lives, should not be jeopardized by any program designed to make the system more efficient.
FIRE PROTECTION, AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE
Eliminate Bridge Tolls for Emergency Equipment
The causeway which connects Gasparilla Island and the community of Boca Grande to the Cape Haze Peninsula includes a toll bridge. Current bridge toll policy is to allow emergency vehicles responding to calls on the island to pass through the toll gate without stopping. On the return trip, however, the emergency vehicles are detained and charged a toll appropriate to the size or weight of the vehicle.
Until recently, the causeway and the toll bridge were in private ownership. Recent State legislation established a public authority to operate and to control this facility.
Some arrangement should be made so that emergency vehicles responding to the needs of the island residents are not charged a toll to travel to or from the island or its communities.
Eliminate Fees Charged to Assisting Neighbors
A situation similar to the bridge toll also exists for medical transportation. It is not unusual for emergency personnel to cross county lines to assist neighboring communities. Naturally, this occurs quite frequently in the Englewood area. The response may be from the fire district, law enforcement, medical services or some combination of these.
Due to the hazardous nature of these activities, there are occasions where responding personnel sustain injuries which require medical transport. In some cases, this transport service is provided by one county while the person being transported is from the other county. In certain of these situations, the injured person has been charged for the transport service.
The EAPAB recognizes that this is not a frequent occurrence, that the charges involved are not inordinate, and that the charges are normally reimbursed, in due course, through workers' compensation insurance. This policy, nevertheless, tends to symbolize a slap in the face of one neighbor helping another in a time of need. This policy of billing for medical transport should be rescinded.
EMS Facilities
The EAFCD has established a good working relationship with Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) services in both counties. It is normal for units from both the EAFCD and the EMT to respond to most emergency calls. Many of the EAFCD personnel are cross-trained in EMT skills, and the EAFCD is able to respond with necessary manpower for adequate response. These combined responses are referred to as mutual aid calls.
Due to the size of the service area and the manner in which EMT teams are shuffled as situations arise, it is never certain as to whether the EAFCD or EMT team will be the first to arrive at the emergency scene. The first team to arrive will begin providing medical treatment--first aid to any injured persons. This treatment requires the use of perishable and non-perishable medical supplies--bandages, tape, oxygen, jaws-of-life, and other emergency equipment.
The cost for supplies provided by either county can be billed to the treated party. These charges are generally covered by auto insurance, medical insurance, or medicare. The EAFCD does not have the capability of billing the 'customer' for these supplies. Consequently, the cost of replenishing these materials is taken from the general operating budget of the EAFCD.
A system for replenishing these EAFCD supplies should be established. This could be done on a one-to-one replacement basis, or by periodic financial reimbursement. Either method could be implemented using a simple requisition form completed at the time the supplies are used. In this manner, the counties could bill for EAFCD supplied materials and, in turn, replenish those supplies.
EMS Transport Equipment
* Evaluate present LOS
EMS vehicles carry EMT personnel to respond to medical emergency calls. They are also used as ambulances to transport ill or injured persons to the nearest treatment facility. There are presently three of these EMS vehicles stationed on the Cape Haze Peninsula. This is the same number of vehicles which served the Englewood area in 1982.
There are another two EMS vehicles based in Venice. As the emergency vehicles respond to calls, other EMS teams in the general area are repositioned to equalize overall response to any subsequent emergency. While this arrangement can pull Venice teams closer to the Englewood area, it can also draw Englewood teams away.
While there is nothing wrong with this method of maximizing service efficiency, it does have the potential of creating a serious hindrance to timely emergency response if there are insufficient facilities available.
There should be an evaluation of the present level of service for these facilities. A needs assessment should be performed to determine if increasing the number of EMS vehicles would have a positive impact on overall response time.
Joint Fire Facility and Liaison
* North Port/Charlotte County
The EAPAB was charged with making recommendations concerning the coordinated provision of services for the Englewood community. During the course of formulating these recommendations, situations were brought to the attention of the EAPAB which were outside the scope of that original intent. While the following recommendation does not directly affect the Englewood community, it may have a significant impact on all concerned parties.
There is an opportunity for the fire departments of Charlotte County and the City of North Port to build a new fire station as a joint capital improvement project. This proposed facility would enhance fire protection services for substantial populations in both jurisdictions. An ideal site for this new fire station would be in the vicinity of Haberland Boulevard and Hillsborough Boulevard. This location, near the county line, would allow quick fire control response to both North Port and Port Charlotte.
Regardless of whether or not this joint fire control facility is ever constructed, Charlotte County and the City of North Port should establish a formal liaison program between their respective fire and emergency management departments.
Support for Division of Forestry Fire Control Program
The Florida Division of Forestry, as part of its fire control program, has maintained two fire towers which serve the Cape Haze Peninsula. One is on SR 776 near Jacaranda Boulevard and the other, also on SR 776, is just across the Myakka River in El Jobean.
In addition to providing spotting services, these facilities provide a base for storing and dispatching the specialized equipment required for fighting brush fires.
The EAPAB recognizes that as areas become urbanized, the need for these types of facilities is minimized. While the Cape Haze Peninsula is becoming more populated, it is a long way from being categorized as urban from a fire control standpoint. A common configuration is to have a single home surrounded by dozens of vacant lots. A brush fire involving any of those lots poses a direct threat to that residence.
Also, this scattered development precludes the ability to conduct controlled management burns. Consequently, the heavy fuel load which accumulates on the undeveloped parcels increases the hazard of these brush fires.
Until this area reaches a build-out proportion which precludes the danger of these suburban brush fires, the need for the Division of Forestry fire control program will continue. All concerned parties should make every effort to ensure that these facilities and programs are continued at their current level of service.
Fire Prevention Education
In an attempt to minimize brush fires caused by inadvertent arson, a program should be established to educate the newly-arrived resident and tourist populations in regard to the dangers and causes of brush fires.
Many tourists, and new residents alike, come to Florida with the impression that this area is a lush tropical rain forest. They should be made fully aware that, at the height of the tourist season, Florida is in its dry season. They do not realize that while most of the trees and other visible plants are green, the underbrush is very dry and extremely combustible.
An aggressive education program for these visitors and newcomers could significantly reduce the number of brush fires. This program could be implemented, in part, by informational materials provided at tourist information centers as well as at hotels, motels and other tourist and short-term accommodations.
Resolve EAFCD Conflict
In the event of a disaster, all domestic emergency facilities may be placed under the jurisdiction of the local county government. Since the EAFCD service area straddles the county line, it is conceivable that the District could fall under the simultaneous jurisdiction of two different counties. In this scenario, each county could issue differing, if not conflicting, direction to the emergency agencies.
This would place the EAFCD in the difficult position of having to disregard or disobey legally binding direction from one or both county governments. Attempting to resolve this type of conflict in the face of a wide-spread emergency could have a disastrous effect on the Englewood community.
The potential for a conflict of this nature should be addressed and clearly resolved as soon as possible. While there is no question that the emergency management personnel from all concerned jurisdictions work well with each other and with the EAFCD, the procedure for handling this condition should be specifically and formally spelled out through an inter-local agreement or memorandum of understanding. Having this formal document in place will be to the benefit of both counties as well as to the EAFCD.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
Refuge of Last Resort
* Public Education
* Increase RLR Capacity
It is likely, in any evacuation scenario, that there will be a number of people who will be unable to successfully leave the area under threat. For these individuals, the best chance of survival hinges on the concept of Refuge of Last Resort (RLR). RLR, in essence, means taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure survival during the catastrophe. In the case of a hurricane, RLR, taken to an extreme example, could involve donning a life preserver and tethering yourself to a tree.
Obviously, this would not be a preferred method of weathering a storm, but it is a much better option than perishing. One aspect of the RLR concept is to make people aware of all of the options which may be available to them, and which of those various options are most preferable.
The other aspect of the RLR concept is to increase the number and type of options available to those unable to evacuate. There are any number of buildings on the Cape Haze Peninsula which are capable of weathering hurricane force winds, even if they may be subject to some degree of storm surge flooding. If these buildings were hardened (window protection and other reinforcements) they could provide RLR sheltering for large numbers of people unable to evacuate.
The two drawbacks to this suggestion are the cost of hardening the buildings and the liability exposure of housing refugees. A public-private partnership may be an appropriate means of addressing these problems. Owners of suitable existing structures, as well as new construction projects, could be offered incentives to make the necessary improvements or design enhancements in exchange for the pledge of availability of the facility in the event of an emergency. Arrangements could be made so that emergency occupants would be required to waive liability or 'hold harmless' the building owner who provides this service.
Current state law exempts public buildings, including schools and libraries, from the requirements and design reviews imposed on private construction projects. A voluntary program of similar reviews, particularly in the area of storm suitability, should be arranged between the counties and the local school boards. These public facilities could provide significant shelter capacity if they are sited and constructed properly.
Road Configuration Changes
One aspect of hurricane evacuation which bears further investigation is the reconfiguration of certain roads to maximize traffic capacity. This would involve converting some roads to one-way traffic in the direction of the evacuation.
Many of the roads in both counties are not well suited for conversion to one-way traffic. SR 776 and US 41 would not be good candidates for this program. Other roads, however, such as CR 771, River Road and I-75 would seem appropriate for one-way conversion.
Naturally, converting major routes such as I-75 would require coordination with several other adjoining counties. Based upon previous comments, the EAPAB would expect this proposal to meet with outright rejection by transportation experts. In view of this region's overwhelming shortfall in available evacuation lanes, this conversion concept should not be dismissed without careful consideration of the various possibilities.
It should be noted that the majority of I-75 interchanges in both counties are relatively simple in design and do not include full clover-leaf configurations. This would make implementing a one-way traffic conversion a much more manageable task than would be the case in more complex interchange designs.
Once plans are developed to implement these modifications, this information should be incorporated into the routine disaster preparedness brochures which are distributed to the public. It is essential that the general public be made aware of these type of plans well in advance of an evacuation.
Public Safety Siren Signal
* Severe weather warning
* Other emergency situations
* Use existing siren hardware
There should be some means of alerting the public in the event of impending severe weather and other emergency conditions. This recommendation does not apply exclusively to hurricane evacuations. It is, in fact, perhaps better suited to other types of severe weather. This is due to the evolving nature of a hurricane evacuation which may span several days. Many other types of threatening weather, such as severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, manifest themselves over a much shorter period of time and generally do not have significant advance warning.
One relatively cost-effective means of implementing this would be to utilize the siren equipment on existing emergency vehicles to sound a citizen alert. This signal would direct people to turn to local sources of information (radio or television) for announcements regarding the nature of the situation. In this manner, the signaling system could also be used to alert for conditions or emergencies other than severe weather, such as the contamination of a potable water supply.
Warning systems such as this have been in place for many years in areas where civil defense air raid sirens are used as the signaling device. While the cost of installing this type of system may be prohibitive, the utilization of existing emergency vehicle signaling devices would represent a much smaller investment.
The existing equipment may need to be upgraded or modified to incorporate a specific siren wail or signal which would be reserved for this purpose. This would be necessary to prevent confusion with the normal signal used by law enforcement, fire and medical emergency vehicles. It would seem that the cost involved in phasing this system in over a period of time would be minimal, considering the potential benefit.
Communication to the Public
* Dedicated cable channel
Alerting the populace of an impending threat is of little benefit if there are no means of providing information regarding the nature of that threat and advice on appropriate action to take. The most effective method of conveying that information would be through a dedicated cable television or radio link.
Ideally, such public service information links should span political boundaries in situations such as Englewood. These facilities could be used to carry other public service or public access programming which would be pre-empted in the event of an emergency or severe weather situation.
Access to such a service in the Englewood area should be made available equally to emergency management departments in both counties. This service should provide coverage to the entire peninsula. Service should not be split at the county line.
Disaster Recovery Council
Emergency management departments from both counties are well aware of the needs and the condition of the Cape Haze Peninsula. They both understand the difficulty involved in evacuation and in recovering from a hurricane. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to expect that in the aftermath of a major widespread disaster the two counties will not be tripping over each other in an attempt to ensure that Englewood's every need is met.
The two counties, through their emergency management departments, should establish a Disaster Recovery Council (DRC) for the Cape Haze Peninsula. This DRC would be an implementing rather than an advisory body. Their purpose would be to assist in carrying out existing disaster response plans, not developing those plans.
This DRC would serve as a focal point for coordinating the post-disaster recovery process in the Englewood area and as a clearing house for information coming from, and going to, the respective government agencies.
The DRC should consist of approximately thirty (30) representatives from the medical, financial, service and retail industries within the community. Thirty members may initially appear to be an excessively large number. This recommendation, however, takes into consideration the nature of the Council's role in providing a round-the-clock presence in the days immediately after a major catastrophe. The Board also anticipates that only a fraction of the full team will be available following such a disaster.
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