- November 6, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office took part in a Florida Sheriff’s Task Force statewide operation to identify high crash intersections — "hot spots" — and have law enforcement monitor those areas to try to reduce crashes.
The Sheriff's Office focused its efforts for "Operation Hot Spot" at the intersections of Palm Coast Parkway and Cypress Point Parkway (location 1), and Palm Coast Parkway and Old Kings Road (location 2), according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office. View statistics on citations and crashes during Operation Hot Spot HERE.
The operation ran from April 9 through May 6. The goal was to create awareness of distracted driving in order to reduce traffic crashes through presence, enforcement, and education efforts.
During the operation, there were 88 citations issued at the two intersections. Throughout the four weeks, there was a significant decrease in distracted driving as the public became aware of increased law enforcement presence.
Data was collected throughout the operation from 23 participating sheriff’s offices and recorded through the Florida Sheriff’s Task Force. At the end of the operation, the results were released to each individual agency to determine if the enforcement efforts have impacted high crash areas. Overall, there was a 49% reduction in crashes at the monitored intersections.
“Not only does this give our deputies a clearer picture of these common crash areas, but it also allows them to prevent other types of crimes that may occur in these areas while they are on patrol,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in the news release. “We are dedicated to traffic safety in our community and these types of operations allow us to see that our efforts are working.”
Operation Hot Spot was initiated by the Florida Sheriff’s Task Force as part of its Intelligence Led Policing Philosophy. The operation also supports the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s "Focus on Driving" campaign. April was dedicated to distracted driving awareness. See the video from Sheriff Prummell, Task Force Chairman, at https://youtu.be/GAZUXSTF2_M.
U.S. Capital Alliance, the current developer of Hunter’s Ridge, has given nearly 2,000 acres to Flagler County. The land will become a passive park in the future, according to a news release from the Flagler County government.
The property is located on the west side of Hunter’s Ridge, north of State Road 40 and west of Interstate 95 within the Flagler County portion of the development, which straddles both Volusia and Flagler counties. Allan Feker, president of U.S. Capital Alliance, expedited the transfer to facilitate building within the development.
“This property is encumbered by permit to St. Johns River Water Management District, because it was used as wetland mitigation by the developer,” Flagler County Public Lands and Natural Resource Manager Tim Telfer said in the news release. “There has been a long-standing agreement that we would do several things before opening the property up for public use.”
Flagler County will manage invasive species and perform prescribed fire when the weather conditions are appropriate as it does with other passive parks such as Princess Place.
“The property will be in a much more natural state once that is done,” Telfer said.
Additional property management measures include installing gates at strategic locations and hiring a security firm to conduct regular, random patrols to ensure there is no poaching or unauthorized access.
The master plan for the Hunter’s Ridge development was created in 1991.
“It’s taken a couple of decades for this to happen, so we are glad to see everything finally coming together,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “It will be nice to have another passive park in our community when we are able to open this property up to the public.”
The management and operational staff of the city of Palm Coast’s Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 have been recognized for outstanding effort that resulted in zero lost-time accidents during 2016, according to a city of Palm Coast government news release.
The employees’ efforts earned the first-place 2017 Florida Water Environment Association Safety Award for Class B facilities. The award was presented during the Florida Water Resources Conference held in West Palm Beach in late April. Facilities from across the state compete annually for the awards that recognize excellent safety programs.
Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 on Utility Drive was built in the early 1970s and has been gradually expanded over the years. The city is building a second Wastewater Treatment Plant off U.S. 1 in northwestern Palm Coast that will open early 2018. That new plant will add capacity and allow for anticipated growth in residential and commercial development.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority, and we are proud of our excellent safety record, which ultimately benefits our overall operation to give the best service possible to the citizens of Palm Coast,” said Danny Ashburn, Palm Coast Utility Systems Manager. “I commend the plant’s employees for their efforts and dedication and congratulate them on earning the FWEA’s Safety Award.”
The Wastewater Plant has earned Safety Awards from both FWEA and the Florida Water & Pollution Control Operators Association in the past.
Officials are taking additional measure to ensure that all are aware there is a countywide burn ban in Flagler County that will remain in effect until further notice, according to a Flagler County government news release.
“It’s a blessing that currently there are no wildfires burning in Flagler County,” Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito said in the news release. “The weather conditions – low humidity and a lack of rain – make the conditions ripe for it. We are asking our residents and visitors to be vigilant about anything flammable.”
Twelve burn ban signs have been installed in various locations with plans to install three more by the week’s end.
“We are adding signs in the area of Rima Ridge, John Anderson Highway and Old Kings Road South,” Petito said. “We want anyone and everyone who is driving in Flagler County to be reminded about the burn ban.”
Florida Forest Service conducted a 350-acre back burn in Putnam County to reduce the fuel load to keep a 25-acre wildfire from burning out of control.
“Drift smoke is likely today from this fire and the West Mims fire (in Georgia),” Petito said.
Flagler County’s FireFlight helicopter is currently working fire calls only, and not transporting patients. Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued a “Red Flag Warning” from noon to 8 p.m. because of the low level of relative humidity and fuel moisture and the predicted high temperatures.
The burn ban prohibits the following:
“We are really asking everyone to take this seriously,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “Flicking a cigarette a car window really can start a fire, so please don’t do it. It’s a safety concern.”
The ban will remain in effect until further notice. For safety tips, go to flaglercounty.org/firewise.
