- October 30, 2024
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By: Shannon Martin
Public Affairs Officer, Flagler County Sheriff's Office
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office held another Sheriff’s Work Ethic and Training program the morning of Monday, Dec. 2.
The day began for the selected juvenile participants at the Jail Administration Building located next to the Flagler County Jail, where deputies were waiting to greet them. After saying goodbye to their parents/guardians, the juveniles were instructed to surrender their cell phones, jewelry, and any other electronic devices. In exchange, deputies gave each juvenile a reflective safety vest with "S.W.EA.T." printed largely on the back.
The juveniles were then transported in a sheriff’s van to the beach for a two-hour cleanup. After the beach cleanup, the S.W.E.A.T. participants were transported to the Flagler County Jail to get a real look at what a stay inside the ‘Green Roof Inn’ is like.
While at the jail, the juveniles were served bag lunches identical to that of an inmates that consisted of one bologna and cheese sandwich, one slice of yellow cake, an orange and water. After lunch, FCSO Detention Deputies led the juveniles to a jail classroom to meet guest speakers Jearodius Davis and Steven Lafferty, both current inmates at the jail. During the presentation, Davis and Lafferty covered topics such as:
Afterward, the S.W.E.AT. participants all had the opportunity to ask questions and share what they had learned with each other.
“The Sheriff’s S.W.E.A.T. program is one more way for us to provide our troubled youth with the mentoring, leadership, and guidance they need to not continue down a path of crime,” Sheriff Staly said. “This program not only helps them fulfill court ordered community service hours, but also provides these kids with insight to what their future will be if their criminal conduct continues. I hope that all of the juveniles participating today turn their lives around and become productive adults.”
The FCSO implemented the S.W.E.A.T. program in July 2018. The mission of the S.W.E.A.T. program is to supervise, guide, mentor and lead juvenile offenders by direction and discussions. A total of 57 juveniles have attended S.W.E.A.T. since inception.
