New public relations pitch by deputies

By STEPHEN FLANAGAN JACKSON

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies may be spending more money on re-soles for their shoes than for re-treads for their tires. That’s not a problem for their boss, Sheriff Chad Chronister, and it may be a legitimate tax deduction, as well.

As part of “Walk It Like I Talk It” program, Elite Donuts employee Allison Perez meets HCSO deputies Billy Nixon and Jeff Merry.

Chronister, in early June, ordered his officers to get out of their air conditioned patrol cars and start pounding the pavement. He wants them glad-handing and gabbing in an effort to build stronger and more personal relationships with the citizens they serve in the neighborhoods and shopping plazas of South Shore, as well as in their other jurisdictions and beats all over the Tampa Bay area.

He could have termed it “meet and greet,” but Chronister has christened his version of a new community policing initiative “Walk It Like I Talk It.” In starting the new project, Chronister pointed out, “Behind every badge there is a father, a mother, a son or a daughter committed to building community relations.”

Jaquan Cadehdy visits with HCSO deputies Billy Nixon and Jeff Merry at the Wawa store in Wimauma.

The goal of this mandated public relations program is to establish better relationships with residents and business owners by allowing them to become more familiar with the faces and names of the HCSO deputies who regularly patrol their communities, mostly in their official patrol vehicles. Now, however, the deputies have to be a bit more personable and a bit more in shape so they can walk the talk. And this extra effort is not an option. The deputies are now required to monitor their time walking and talking on their individual time and activity reports. The official mandate requires each deputy to “Walk It Like I Talk It” for at least one hour per week on the beat.

The HCSO effort is more or less a carbon copy of the “Park, Walk and Talk” program started back in 2014 by the St. Petersburg Police Department. According to statements made recently to news media by St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway, the St. Pete program has resulted in positive trends and helping St. Pete police “bridge the gap” between officers and the community.

HCSO deputies Billy Nixon, left, and Jeff Merry, right, walking and talking with Chris Renfroe in the Home Depot shopping plaza in Sun City Center.
STEPHEN FLANAGAN JACKSON PHOTOS

Sheriff Chronister said in mid-July that so far, in the first four weeks of the program, his deputies have charted about 1,700 hours out of their patrol cars and “socializing” on foot with residents on their beats.

“Our deputies have truly embraced this new program from day one, and it is another step forward in building trust between law enforcement and the community we serve,” the sheriff told news media. “I strongly believe that our residents feel more comfortable reporting a crime or any suspicious activity to a deputy who takes the time to talk with them one-on-one.”

HCSO deputies Billy Nixon and Jeff Merry talk with several walkers at the Home Depot Shopping Plaza in Sun City Center.

Ironically, Sun City Radio 96.3 recently featured a discussion with three deputies on the air after their meeting the radio program coordinator during one of their walks.

“The initiative is the same,” said Chronister. “If there is one ranch, one farm landowner, get out, go knock on the door. Get to know these individuals and build these relationships. Also, I think our deputies will get to know some of the children who are at risk in their areas and may be able to influence their lives.

“While the patrol vehicle is a very effective resource, many perceive it as a barrier to direct communication, and we want to change that,” said the sheriff, in premiering a unique, eye-catching video during a press conference. “We want to allow our citizens an opportunity to get to know their sheriff’s office.”