Marilyn M. Aciego

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

Inmates at the Lake County Jail are doing their part to help in the battle against the global pandemic COVID-19.

Partnering with non-profit Lake Support and Emergency Recovery Inc. — better known as LASER — the Lake County Sheriff’s Office inmate sewing program is making face masks to provide to area healthcare workers, said LCSO Lt. John Herrell in a press release.

With a nationwide shortage of face masks  in the fight against COVID-19, “The initial goal for the inmates is to quickly produce 1,000 masks and then continue making them around the clock as the need exists,” Herrell said. Their latest goal is 10,000 masks, he noted.  

“We’re glad we had this program already in place so that we can help those on the front lines get these masks as quickly as possible. It’s a dire need right now and we’re doing all we can to help,’ said LCSO Sheriff Peyton Grinnell.

Masks must be made out of a breathable cotton blend and LASER has purchased some of the materials, while others have been donated by local craft stores.

The inmate sewing program was launched in 2008 to teach female inmates a skill that could be used to find gainful employment, Herrell explained in the press release. “Initially, the program was designed to make inmate uniforms, embroider officer uniforms, and repair torn uniforms, thus saving taxpayer dollars.”

LCSO is also partnering with LASER for a local food drive to benefit Lake County residents. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted in three locations around the county. Donations may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily  at the following locations:

Lake County Jail, 551 West Main Street, Tavares.

First Baptist Church of Umatilla, 550 Hatfiled Drive, Umatilla.

Real Life Church of God, 1501 Steve’s Road, Clermont.

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

Social media sometimes gets a bad rap, but it has opened doors for law enforcement they never imagined.

While most law enforcement agencies in Lake County have a Facebook page, there is just something different about the Tavares Police Department and Eustis Police Department pages. Eustis Police Officer Lauren Brown has created an alter ego — Major Trooper — who comes with his very own set of policies.

Brown has used the character to have fun with the community, both on Facebook and in person. Major Trooper has attended many events including the recent Georgefest Chili Cook-off, Family Fun Day and homeowner’s association meetings. “When he’s not around, people ask me where he is,” Brown tells Lake Legal News.

Major Trooper is a favorite of a local 8-year-old boy — his mom told Brown that when her son saw the character, Major Trooper made his entire day. “We like to show people if they’re having a bad day, the police department doesn’t just catch criminals. We’re here to brighten your day.”

The residents seem to love Major Trooper. “I have personally received countless positive comments from people that I meet in the community about our posts on Facebook. These folks range from children to older citizens. People like to see that we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” explains Eustis Police Chief Gary Calhoun.

Some may think silly posts on Facebook are unprofessional for a police department, but Calhoun disagrees. “I feel it is good for the community to see the humorous side of police officers,” he explains to LLN. “They see us more like real people if they can tell we have a sense of humor.”

On January 3, 2020, Major Trooper was borne from a gift from Brown’s younger sister. Calhoun was out of town and Major Trooper took over and quickly posted his new policies.

“Good morning to all and Happy New Year!!! Chief Calhoun is currently on vacation and just like school we all get a substitute. Major Trooper here and I have taken command of the agency and I will like to change a few things:

1 — We will be closed on Mondays. We hate Mondays and everyone dreads them, so it’s done.

2 — All meetings on taco Tuesday will take place at Tijuana Flats.

3 — Friday’s dress down day uniform will be Hawaiian shirts, shorts and crocs.

4 — The only donuts that will be allowed are glazed and sprinkles. Sprinkles are for winners.

5 — The Fire Department will cook us dinner and admit that cops are awesome and wash all patrol vehicles.

This is the way and I have spoken!!!”

The Facebook post received numerous comments, reactions and shares and when Calhoun got back into town, he was quick to make his feelings known with a short video. The video, lasting only 5 seconds shows Calhoun walking to the door of his office and rolling Major Trooper’s helmet down the hall like a bowling ball.

But just two days later, Calhoun conceded with a new video. He states, “Due to the popularity of Major Trooper, I have decided to reinstate him to full duty and immediately implement policy No. 5,” which happens to be his favorite. “My personal favorite is the firefighters washing the police vehicles,“ Calhoun tells LLN.

When Calhoun reinstated Major Trooper, it caught the attention of Tavares Police Sgt. Sarah Coursey, who is one of the women behind TPD’s extremely popular Facebook page. The post prompted the following exchange:

Tavares Police Department: Hmmm Maybe Chief [Stoney] Lubins needs to see these polices.

Eustis Police Department: If he needs a uniform demo test we will be happy to AOA (assist on arrival).

Tavares Police Department: Eustis Police Department let’s make this happen — have your people get with our people.

Eustis Police Department: Agreed.

Marilyn M. Aciego (Editor-in-Chief LLN): Lake Legal News needs to be notified of any demos in advance, please. The cooperation of both Eustis Police Department and Tavares Police Department is appreciated.

Eustis Police Department: Marilyn M. Aciego our Public Relations Team will make it happen.

Tavares Police Department: Let’s make this happen.

And it did.

On a quiet Wednesday a few weeks ago LLN was invited to witness the meeting of Major Trooper and Capt. Yoda. LLN toured the new Tavares Public Safety building as Captain Yoda and Major Trooper shared coffee, donuts (with sprinkles, because sprinkles are for winners,) chickie nuggies, took over Chief Stoney Lubins’ office and most importantly forged a friendship. Expect to see more of Major Trooper and Captain Yoda on a Facebook page near you.

Coursey has been one of the women behind the page for about four years, and when the page became extremely popular, School Resource Officer Melissa Robinson came along for the ride. The pair shares everything from memes, events and wanted suspects.

Coursey said she enjoys interacting with the community, “We’re not just a badge and a uniform. [Social media] has made us more approachable.”

Coursey also has the blessing of Lubins, “The purpose is to reach a lot of the community,” he says. “It’s so easy for us to reach so many [people] at the same time.”

Using the Facebook page to identify suspects has been very successful for TPD. Coursey estimates the department has identified at least 90 percent of the suspects they have posted, “There has only been one or two [we haven’t identified,]” she tells LLN.

“It has been extremely effective in putting wanted suspects out [in the public,]” Lubins notes.

Coursey plans on running the TPD page the way she always has. As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Lubins agrees, “We want to let [the public] know we are people.”

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

From August to May each school year, Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputies (SRDs) are in Lake County public schools protecting children and keeping the schools safe, but what are they doing during the summer?

Master Deputy Tim McCaig and his K9 partner Max are riding the streets of Lake County helping the patrol unit and nosing around for illegal narcotics, McCaig told Lake Legal News Friday; most often, they back up other deputies upon request.

Max is a single-purpose passive K9, which means he does not bite and chase people, he just sniffs out drugs. During the school year, Max travels all around the county with McCaig: “I spend the week traveling between the middle schools and high schools,“ he tells LLN, “My goal is to hit every school once a week.” Max sniffs lockers, vehicles and backpacks when needed, and most students are excited to see him, McCaig says.  

Max is trained to sniff out cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana, McCaig explains. The most common drug found in the schools is marijuana, notes SRD Lt. Christie Mysinger. Earlier this month, Max had an exciting find — 4 grams of methamphetamine, a drug not commonly found in the schools. For his effort, Max is rewarded with praise and his toy, McCaig tells LLN. “He does his job to get his reward.”

While Max is the only K9 SRD; there are 31 humans in the SRD unit. They are helping in a variety of positions at LCSO, including patrol, civil/warrants, corrections, sex offender checks and they provide security and traffic assistance for the Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 testing sites, Mysinger says.

“During the summer we assist the intel unit with verifying that sex offenders live where they say they live and drive what they say they drive. Protecting our children doesn’t stop because school is out,” Mysinger explains when interviewed.

Each summer, the SRDs normally put on two weeklong summer camps, one on the north side of the county and one on the south side of the county, for children aged 8 through 18. This year, they were forced to cancel the camps due to COVID-19, which enabled the SRDs to assist with COVID-19 testing sites, Mysinger says. “Due to the high volume of residents wishing to be tested the SRD unit assists the DOH with traffic and security at its testing sites. COVID-19 has affected the entire community, we are glad to help where we can.”