FOX 4 WFTX - Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples News, WeatherWants to Know - Why is the Lee Sheriff dropping free help?
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Volunteers who sit on the Sheriff's Nuisance Abatement Board are charged up and ready to go. Well, they're going all right.
The volunteers weren't even given a heads up. The person who called us was surprised to get an email forwarded to him. One that boiled down to the Sheriff saying: Thanks but no thanks for his free help.
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Jeff Avery, a board member, is a regular guy who wanted to make a difference.
"I've lived in Southwest Florida for over 20 years. I do everything I can to help my community "
When he heard about the all-volunteer Nuisance Abatement Board, he jumped on board.
"The nuisance abatement board is where the Sheriff's office can come in and say take care of your damn property or we're gonna take you in front of the nuisance abatement board and force you to take care of your property."
You don't fix it...they slap you with a fine.
You only have to look as far as Pine Manor to find a neighborhood in need.
Murder, drug dealing, prostitution and robbery are right at home here. That could be why it was chosen as the first stop in the Sheriff's Night Out Against Crime March.
"The basic whole reason for the program is to try to reduce crime in the community, and let people know that we're just not gonna put up with it."
With a common goal, you'd think the Sheriff's Office would welcome any free help. But instead of joining forces, someone decided the Nuisance Board was just too much trouble.
Avery - "Attached is the blue sheet from the Lee County Sheriff's Office stating that the Lee County Sheriff's Office dissolved the Nuisance Abatement Board."
Avery wants to know why his help is being sent packing.
"The Nuisance Abatement Board costs nothing. There are no funds required."
He called Fox 4 for answers. Deputies at Thursday's march never heard of the Nuisance Board, something that could help them fight crime. The program's been around for 8 years, started under a previous sheriff. Jeff wonders if that spelled death.
"If you ask anybody in the community, we do have nuisances, we do have a use for this program. Don't throw it out the window for what, political iditotic reasons."
A willing worker, Jeff can't give his help away.
Fox 4 tried to find out why the group's help was being rejected.
We looked for Sheriff Mike Scott at Thurday's Crime March, but he wasn't there.
The final blow should come Tuesday, October 6th.
Formally dissolving the Sheriff's Nuisance Abatement Board is on the County Commissions agenda.
Amy Oshier
Fox 4 In Your Corner
