August 20, 2021-
As you know, we have seen an uptick in COVID cases again in Florida, with a positivity rate hovering around 16% in Charlotte County. I recently made the decision to again temporarily suspend fingerprinting services as well as our Citizen’s Police Academy program in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. This action was taken to protect you, the citizens of Charlotte County, and also to protect my staff. Simply put, this new, very contagious strain has made its way into the Sheriff’s Office and I cannot hesitate to respond.
In addition to suspending fingerprinting services and Citizen’s Police Academy, I have mandated that my staff in all locations wear a face mask whenever they are inside an area where social distancing is not possible. Several employees who have the ability to work from home have been asked to do so, and I have reaffirmed the importance of cleaning and sanitizing every workstation as well as practicing good personal hygiene.
My deputies thoroughly clean their agency vehicle following any transport, and they are required to report any exposure or potential exposure they encounter. We are asking for anyone experiencing symptoms of any kind to immediately report them to a supervisor so the necessary steps can be taken.
I want to put your minds at ease that we are doing all that we can to stop the spread. We are all eager to return to doing what we love the way we are used to doing it, but we have to stay strong and get through this new wave safely.
Above all else, I want you to know that the CCSO is operational and ready to respond if you need us. Please remember to call our non-emergency line, (941) 639-0013, for anything not requiring an immediate, in-person response.
Stay strong and be safe, Charlotte County. We’re all in this together.
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