FLEMING ISLAND—At Thursday evening’s Sheriff’s Neighborhood Engagement Team Town Hall, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office gave residents an inside look at some key components of their job, including a peek into their newest pursuit of body-worn cameras. 

The Sheriff’s NET Town Hall was created to keep the community informed about what’s happening. Once a month, members of the public can meet with deputies to discuss crime matters and prevention strategies. 

In a presentation by Assistant Chief Chad Ricks, he said that CCSO is currently doing a test trial on 10 Axon body-worn cameras, which began at the end of May. The department has already produced 2,300 videos. 

Ricks said the cameras will require significant data storage and technology, upping the overall price.

“The bulk of the cost of body-worn camera programs is the storage and the programs required to run it,” Ricks said. 

Ricks added that they will continue to demo the Axon products until the end of the month, then switch to working with their other suitor Motorola. That trial will start around September 1. 

Ricks said CCSO is familiar with Axon, the current industry leader, as all of their current tasers and tag readers come from the company. However, they want to see if Motorola can compete with Axon’s technology. 

Ricks said that CCSO has done much research on the use of cameras, including a study with Flagler College. The research has shown reduced use of force, citizen complaints and police legitimacy. 

“It’s really beneficial in [the] prosecution of offenders,” Ricks said. “It’s very beneficial in quickly resolving citizen complaints on law enforcement officers. So, there are many different benefits, but most of it comes down to that.”

Additionally, Ricks told the audience that he understood their trust in law enforcement. But he said that with the influx of new and younger residents in the area, body-worn cameras is becoming an industry standard, especially with an agency of their size.

“Even in prosecutions, there is an expectation that we have body-worn cameras for trial, for evidence purposes,” Ricks said.

After both trials, Ricks said the department will begin to compile its budget numbers and determine exactly how many personnel it will require. 

After initially being denied a grant last year due to competition from other evolved agencies, Ricks said they are better prepared this time and plan to resubmit for a federal grant at the end of this month. 

He said the department has been eyeing a possible Axon cost of around $300 a camera/person monthly. The department is looking to ultimately provide the cameras to all sworn-in members except those in command or administrative positions. Still, it will first try to start with a phased approach.

Ricks said there are more than 800 people in the agency in total. 

“All those people having daily interactions with the public would then have a camera,” Ricks said. 

The meeting also featured a presentation from Sheriff Michelle Cook. Additionally, Marine Deputy Brooks Morrell spoke about boater safety and gave tips.

He urged the audience to always have their safety equipment on hand, including life jackets for every person, a type IV throwable, a fire extinguisher, a horn/whistle and all their navigation lights.

“Time is dangerous on the water, so just make sure you have your safety equipment,” Morrell said. 

Morrell added that anyone can take a boater’s safety course on the FWC website or several other sites. If you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, you must take the course to drive a boat or jet ski. 

Morrell said the Coast Guard is trying to get something approved by October of next year that requires everyone to take the training course regardless of age. 

The county’s K-9 unit also discussed their K-9 officers and showed off important equipment necessary for the job. 

Deputy Reggie Hyatt said the unit has six dual-purpose dogs for the narcotics and patrol side. 

Hyatt said they don’t imprint the dogs to alert them to marijuana anymore because of the complications regarding recent laws. The dogs are only alert to meth, heroin, and cocaine. 

There is only one marijuana dog left in the county, which Hyatt said is set to retire soon.

The dogs do article, area, and building searches for the patrol side. Additionally, dogs are taught suspect apprehension and tracking.

Hyatt noted that one thing citizens can do to help during these search processes is to stay inside. 

For the grand finale, the county’s K-9 unit did a bite demonstration with one of the K-9 officers.

The next meeting will be held at Penney Farms on July 25. 

For the full 2024 meeting schedule or to join, visit claysheriff.com/sheriffs-net/.