Martin County Sheriff's Office
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Directed Operations Division - Community Programs

Lieutenant Wes Starling (772) 220-7078


Laura Passanesi (772) 320-4749
Community Programs Practitioner &
Volunteer Coordinator


Trained by the Florida Attorney Generals Office and holding the designation of “Florida Crime Prevention Practitioner” the Community Programs Unit is committed to the educational needs of the citizens of our community. This unit is comprised of personnel that are trained in Residential Security, Commercial Security and Program Development. These personnel are also certified as Convenience Store Security Inspectors through the Florida Attorney Generals Office.

The Community Programs Unit provides educational presentations and security surveys to our local businesses and residential areas throughout Martin County at no charge. The Community Programs Unit offers the following presentations, but not limited to:

  • Neighborhood Watch – One of the most effective programs in America, the Neighborhood Watch was created to make specific geographic areas more crime resistant. Communities and law enforcement working together reduce the amount of crime occurring within a neighborhood. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has approximately 50 active Neighborhood Watch communities in the county.
  • Identity Theft – One of the fastest growing crimes in America, identity theft presentations educate the residents of Martin County. Citizens need to be aware of the extent of the problem, how identity theft is committed, steps or measures they can take to minimize the chance of being victimized, and what they should do if they are the victim of identity theft.
  • Personal Safety – This presentation is provided to groups for the purpose of their individual safety, whether it is in the car or on foot.
  • Bike Safety – Presentations to the area youth on the importance of the proper way to ride a bicycle, usage of hand signals, and the importance of wearing a helmet.
  • Child Lures – This very effective presentation is geared to small children on personal safety, what to look for and how to report it.
  • Operation Identification – A Crime Prevention method that residents may engrave an identifying number on their valuables for identification purposes in the event that it is stolen. This program is designed to discourage the theft of valuables. Participating in this program will lessen the likelihood of the property being stolen and increase the chances of this property being recovered by law enforcement.
  • Residential Security Surveys – Residents of the county are entitled to a “free” security survey of their homes.
  • Commercial Security Surveys – Commercial Businesses may request a security survey of their business to: Determine existing security conditions, identify security deficiencies related to existing conditions, determine the level or amount of protection needed, and make recommendations for improvement.
  • Convenience Store Security Surveys - The Convenience Business Security Act requires that certain security devices and standards be established at all convenience businesses open any time between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. A representative from this unit may inspect these stores, making sure all the standards are being met.

Also included are the appearances of “McGruff, the Crime Dog” and “Vince and Larry, The Crash Test Dummies”.

 

 

This unit also has a Child Seat Technician on staff. Parents and grandparents may call and set up an appointment to have someone install and inspect their child restraint seats. To make an appointment for installations, please call 772 320-4749.