The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Town of Branford are working to provide an increase in law enforcement in Branford. Sheriff Alton K. “Al” Williams Jr., Major Les Hall, and Bill Furlo, met with town officials Tuesday night at the regular meeting of the Branford Town Council to discuss what can be done about increasing law enforcement, and working to solve theft and vandalism. The discussion and decisions came on the heels of a rash of vandalism and theft in and around the Town of Branford, much of it at Terra Bello Auto Sales located on Highway 27 just inside the town limits. While a number of family dwellings in the area have also been hit, several places of business in the town have also suffered theft and vandalism.



Part of this change discussed will involve volunteers who will have an unmarked patrol car, a radio, and gas supplied by the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, Bill Furlo, owner of Terra Bello Auto Sales is offering one of his business buildings to be used as a police annex, which will allow more time coverage by deputies in the Town of Branford.



Sheriff Williams spoke saying, “I met with a representative of a group of concerned citizens of this community regarding this issue. Recently, we have experienced a rash of burglaries and other crimes in the downtown and surrounding areas. Our deputies and investigators have already solved several of those crimes. We are still working on more recent ones. What I propose to this council and citizens, is a substantial increase in presence by our patrol deputies at all times, but particularly during the crucial times these crimes, seem to occur, from midnight to daylight. I have already met with each of the four squads and have given strict instructions that we must bring the situation under control. During each meeting with the deputies I asked each one individually if I could count on them to make this happen. I received that assurance. I believe you can already see the results of our meetings by the substantial increase in our presence here.”



Williams also said, “I propose to involve the community in this ongoing effort. I plan to organize a volunteer group who will become the ‘eyes and ears’ for the community. The sheriff’s office will provide the vehicle, gasoline, and communications equipment. As you already know, we cannot be everywhere all of the time. I will be distributing information on organizing this volunteer group in the near future. A positive result of this partnership with the community is that we come to know each other better. Not only will we be able to put a face with a name, but also develop friendships. Partnerships between the community and the sheriff’s office is a win/win situation. The community wins by the increased presence of a deputy sheriff or volunteer on patrol. We all win because crime goes down.”



The sheriff also believes another positive thing is the facility Bill Furlo has made available to the sheriff’s office in his new complex behind Dollar General. Mr. Furlo will provide the office space and the sheriff’s office will provide the necessary furniture, computer, fax machine, and telephone for the deputies, drug task force, investigators and any other law enforcement officer when they are working in Branford. This location when properly equipped will eliminate the need for the deputies to return to the squad room in Live Oak to complete their reports before the end of their shift, as a result of this facility being made available the deputies can spend more time in Branford,” the sheriff said.



Williams told the council, “As your sheriff I am honored and obligated to provide 100% of the best possible services to all the citizens of Suwannee County. I view my relationship with Branford and the entire south end of Suwannee County as a partnership. A partnership in which we help each other. Some of you may not know that I have been coming to Branford every Wednesday since taking office in 1997, that was the promise I made while campaigning in l996, and I intend to continue my weekly visits to town hall. The only times I have missed was because of some conflicting event, and on those occasions I was represented by Lt. Creech, commander of our patrol division. The Town of Branford graciously provides space for me when I am in Branford. “The sheriff’s office has an awesome responsibility, to provide the level of service that the citizens of Suwannee County deserve and expect. Will the sheriff’s office ever fall short of that goal? Sure we will. However, we will make every proactive effort to make corrections in assignments to quickly remedy any problem. Crime happens, that is a fact of life. Is the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office working to make Suwannee County a safer place to live? Absolutely! Recently the crime in Florida, Florida Union Crime report, 2002 was released by FDLE. This report reflects the change for certain index which includes murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. Columbia County -0.7 Dixie l5, Gilchrist -3.l, Hamilton 35, Lafayette -2.l, Madison -3.3 Taylor l7.7, Suwannee -6.l decrease or increase in crimes. This report is one that I am proud to share with you. No other county in our area enjoyed the rate change that the Suwannee County sheriff’s office has accomplished. As you can see Suwannee County had the greatest decrease in crimes. I attribute that success to the HEROES that I am privileged to work with every day, the men and women of the Suwannee County Sheriff’s office. I am also proud of the partnership the Suwannee County sheriff’s office has with the Town of Branford, and look forward to many more successful years for that partnership. Thank you.”



Bill Furlo said, “I got hit pretty good, the last time I got robbed it was $31,000 worth of damages. Over the last few years it totaled over $100,000. When I finally couldn’t stand any more, I reached out to anybody and everybody. I had a lot to say, and probably none of it was very polite. I want to thank Sheriff Williams, Major Les Hall, Randy Hatch, and the Sheriff’s department in general. I don’t happen to live in the town of Branford, but I pay $21,000 in property taxes within just the town limits, and in excess of $45,000 property taxes in Suwannee County. All I want and all I asked for, I got. Sheriff Al Williams, Major Hall, and Randy Hatch discussed everything. I can tell you that when you take it on the chin for $31,000 in one evening, I can’t take it. I can tell you that the Sheriff will do everything he said, so with that I don’t need to ask you for a police department for the Town of Branford.”



Major Les Hall said, “Basically, some deputies are using the office provided by Bill Furlo. I took keys by to all deputies today. It’s a place that the deputies can go by and talk to someone privately. At the end of their shift, they have been having to go to Live Oak to do their reports. Now they can do them here in Branford. Hall said, “Our volunteer program is on the drawing boards. Very soon we will advertise, and asking for as many volunteers as we can get, who will be ‘eyes and ears’. If someone is speeding, if whoever is using that car, they can pick up the radio, and if there’s a deputy within 15 miles, he can be there in a hurry.” According to Williams, “There are five deputies to work a 700 mile area. Williams said, “We have an auxiliary in Live Oak. Its a great tool. “



In other council business, Michael Bates, was in the audience who complained of traffic in Hillcrest. She told the group there are speed limit signs, something needs to be done to get this under control.” I have had to call out deputies five times within a week. The speeders are visitors who don’t live in Hillcrest. Sheriff Williams vowed his help and support.



Another woman, a resident of Hillcrest said, “The worse traffic is right after school, and they do donuts. As the year goes on and on right after school gets out it gets worse.” Beverly Hunt, said, “I live on the straight a way and they drag race there.”



Mayor Don Owens said, “It looks like they need to be ticketed.” “Some tickets will really help there,” said Sheriff Williams.



Both the sheriff and the major vowed their support.