Sheriff's Office partners with local law enforcement agencies and private security concerns for Operation Safe Holiday 2009
Sheriff Demings was joined by Central Florida police chiefs, law enforcement officers, and representatives from a number of private security concerns and members of the local business community to send a strong message to area criminals... law enforcement and area security concerns will be out in force during the holiday season working to reduce crime in the community. Orlando's Mall of Millennia hosted the announcement event for Operation Safe Holiday 2009. The operation is set to run from November 18 through January 2 and will focus on maintaining a highly visible law enforcement presence in the county's high crime areas, major shopping centers, and on the Orlando/Orange County tourist corridor.
Robberies to businesses and persons, and burglaries to homes and vehicles historically increase during the 
weeks that precede Christmas. While some of these crimes would be difficult to prevent a significant number of them were committed because there was an opportunity for the crime to occur. The county's vehicle burglary rate perhaps best illustrates this point. While some burglaries to cars could be termed actual break-ins, an alarming number of them were committed because the car was left unattended, unlocked, and with something valuable in plain view.
To help reduce the number of vehicle burglaries and other crimes that often show an increase during the holidays, the Sheriff's Office will provide the public with basic, common sense crime prevention and holiday safety tips during the duration of Operation Safe Holiday 2009 through the local media and the agency's website.
Sheriff Demings would also like to remind his fellow citizens that Central Florida law enforcement agencies will also be on the lookout for intoxicated motorists during the holiday season. At least one out of ten traffic crashes is alcohol related. The Sheriff's Offices urges all motorists who plan on attending a party where alcohol is being served to be responsible, always have a designated driver, or call a taxi if they have had a bit too much holiday cheer.
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers recognizes four of Orange County's finest for their role in keeping county roadways free of drunk drivers
It's all about making a difference. And taking an intoxicated driver off of our streets is one of the biggest diffferences someone can make! Mothers Against Drunk Drivers recently recognized Deputy Sheriff Marc Recca and Deputy Sheriff Wade Regan for making over 100 DUI apprehensions during 2008. Marc was also named the agency's DUI Deputy of the Year for notching 106 DUI apprehensions. MADD also honored Rick Dorman, Supervisor of the agency's DUI testing facility and retired Captain Claude Leslie who, as a volunteer reserve deputy, continues his personal commitment in locating and arresting drunk drivers. Follow the LINK to read more about these agency members who are making a difference in our community.
Year to date crime numbers are down
with the exception of burglaries to vehicles
Orange County continues to see a reduction in all major crime categories with the exception of burglaries to vehicles. Orange County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Officers say the auto burglary rate would be lower if people would simply remove valuable items from their cars and lock them whenever they are left unattended. Petty thieves are opportunists who often go from car to car, simply open unlocked doors, and steal GPS devices, cell phones, loose change, and other easy to grab items. Securing your valuable items from prying eyes and locking your cars is especially important during the holiday season when thieves are on the look out for easy to grab items left in unattended and unsecured cars. Follow the LINK for a look at our year to date crime statistics.
Multi-million dollar securities fraud/money laundering investigation puts big bucks in Orange County Sheriff's Office coffers
On Friday October 2, 2009 FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Davis (left) and IRS Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tracey Montano presented a check for $117,839.73 to Sheriff Jerry L. Demings.
The big cash windfall for the Sheriff's Office was the result of a two-year securities fraud and money laundering investigation conducted by the Florida Organized Crime Federal Task Force which resulted in the arrest of Tom Bojadzijev and the seizure of assets including, his half million dollar home in West Orange County along with luxury vehicles, jewelry, cash, and real estate in Key West, Florida. The investigation was a joint operation involving the FBI, IRS, ICE, and the Orange County Sheriffs Office.
Governor Crist names Orange County Sex Crimes Squad and FDLE Orlando Regional Operations Center investigators 2009 Law Enforcement Task Force/Team of the Year
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Sex Crimes Squad and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando Regional Operations Center were recognized by Governor Charlie Crist in Tallahassee during the annual Florida Missing Children’s Day ceremony for their outstanding work during an investigation into the May, 2009 home invasion and attempted sexual abuse of a four year old girl. The team of Orange County and FDLE investigators was named 2009 Law Enforcement Task Force of the year for their work in the case. Members of the team preserved the crime scene for processing, recovered and quickly processed critical evidence, conducted timely interviews and created composite sketches that quickly led to the identification and arrest of suspect in the case. The FDLE laboratory connected crucial DNA evidence recovered from the scene with similar cases in the area while OrangeCounty investigators secured key video evidence from nearby businesses that solidified their case against the suspect who already had a history of loitering and prowling in the area.
Sheriff Demings delivers State of the Agency address to Board of County Commissioners
On July 24 Sheriff Demings delivered his State of the Agency address to the Board of County Commissioners. Sensitive to the realities of the lean budget times that taxpayers and local, state, and federal government agencies are coping with, Sheriff Demings' message was one of fiscal responsibility. In addtion to the changes the agency has undergone since taking office, Sheriff Demings has asked for no additional funding for his FY 2009-2010 budget. We invite you to review the Sheriff's address by following the LINK to the pdf file.