TALLAHASSEE, FL - As of today, Florida State Troopers will be issuing tickets when they catch you driving with your seat belt unbuckled, so don’t expect a warning.

The Florida Highway Patrol plans to strictly enforce the amended law that now makes seat belt violations a primary offense.

Police have been able to ticket unbelted motorists since 1986 but only if stopping them for another traffic violation such as speeding.

Now, simply observing you without your seatbelt buckled is enough for law enforcement to pull you over and issue a citation.

State Troopers will be passing out informational flyers to motorists on the road at their public offices to get the word out about the changed law.

“We’ve always had a zero tolerance policy for some time and we’re gonna continue with that,” said Highway Patrol Lt. Chris Miller. “If we do stop you, you can expect a ticket. We won’t be giving any warnings.”

Motorists can be ticketed if either they or their front seat passengers fail to buckle up. All passengers under 18 also are required to wear seat belts regardless of where they are sitting.

The penalty is a $30 fine plus administrative and court costs. Hillsborough County for example reports the amount of the citation will actually be $101.00 per violation.

The National Highway Safety Administration has estimated the new law will save 124 lives and prevent 1,733 serious injuries in Florida every year. According to the Click It Or Ticket Florida campaign, 1 in 5 Floridians who did not buckle up accounted for 3 in 5 traffic fatalities in 2007. In other words, 60% of all fatalities consisted of the 20% of those that did not buckle up. The campaign did not offer statistics showing what percentage of those who do not buckle up are also prone to careless and dangerous driving however, so using their statistics may not actually draw a clear picture as to the extent that buckling up can save lives.

Most state laws around the country go into effect on July 1, the first day of the new budget year, or on Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year for the federal government and many cities and counties. In Florida however, the seat belt law is going into effect today to meet a federal grant deadline. As a result, Florida will qualify for up to $35 million in federal highway safety money which is reported to go towards road improvement projects across the state.

Congress in 2005 offered the grants as an incentive for states to adopt primary enforcement laws. To qualify, a state must enact such a law by June 30, 2009, and begin issuing citations by September 30, 2009 which means one should expect plenty of early enforcement.

Florida is one of 30 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and four other U.S. territories that have passed primary enforcement laws, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The New or Amended Florida Statute is known as the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law in memory of two young women killed in accidents while not wearing their seat belts. It removes the exemption to the statute for pickup truck drivers, and also deletes the provision that enforcement could only occur as a secondary action making it possible to be pulled over and ticketed by law enforcement for a selt belt violation alone.

Some opponents argued police would be prone to singling out racial and ethnic minorities for tickets however it seems a more solid opposition may arrise from the possible infringing of an individual’s liberties.

Dr. Walter E. Williams of George Mason University writes, “The point is whether government has a right to coerce us into taking care of ourselves. If eating what we wish is our business and not that of government, then why should we accept government’s coercing us to wear seat belts?”

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The latter philosophy is the crutch behind the repeal in 2000 of a similar requirement for adult motorcyclists to wear helmets.

Please remember to buckle up and pass this information on to your friends and families.

On June 23, 2009 Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies with the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) and Kissimmee Police Department officers conducted a joint operation which led to the recovery of 23 pounds of marijuana.

Search warrants were conducted at two residences after the Kissimmee Police Department’s Tactical Investigative Unit received an anonymous tip about possible drug activity.

Kissimmee officers conducted the search warrant at 2373 North Central Avenue Building D, Apartment 240 while NET deputies searched a residence in the county at 2747 North Old Dixie Highway. NET deputies recovered 23 pounds of individually packed marijuana at the residence on North Old Dixie Highway.

Deputies arrested Allen R. Downin on charges of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana Over 20 Grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail on $4,000 bond.

Allen R. Downin (DOB 1/12/84) of 2747 Old Dixie Highway Kissimmee, Florida shown here.

Charges are pending on a second suspect, Lynelle A. Charles.

Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives need the public’s help in locating a suspect scamming businesses with rolls of pennies disguised as dimes.

Since May, deputies have taken 5 reports of a suspect who claims to be a business manager entering a hotel or convenience store and getting cash for what appear to be rolls of dimes.

Detectives have identified the suspect as John Edward Steinard, Jr. (DOB 6/28/55), a registered felon, and have issued five felony warrants for Petit Theft for his arrest.

Following is a summary of the incidents:

• May 4, 2009: Suspect entered Continental Plaza Hotel located at 7785 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway and told employee he was Carrabbas Italian Restaurant manager and needed to exchange rolls of dimes for cash. Suspect gave employee 16 rolls for $80 in bills.
• May 4, 2009: Suspect entered 7-Eleven located at 7893 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway and told employee he was Chick-Fil-A manager and needed to exchange rolls of dimes for cash. Suspect gives employee rolls of coins for $142.60
• May 5, 2009: Suspect entered Quality Inn Heritage Park located at 2050 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway and told employee he was Denny’s Restaurant manager and needed to exchange rolls of dimes for cash. Suspect gave employee 20 rolls of coins for $100 in bills.
• May 6, 2009: Suspect entered Best Vacation Resort located at 2095 E. 192 and told employee he was Denny’s Restaurant manager and need to exchange rolls of dimes for cash. Suspect gives employee 23 rolls of coins and receives $115 in bills.
• May 28, 2009: Suspect entered Magic Castle Motel located at 5055 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway and told employee he was manager of Bob Evans Restaurant and needed to exchange rolls of dimes for cash. Suspect gave employee rolls of coins for $75 in bills.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous and tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 dollars.

At approximately 2:19 p.m. this afternoon, Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the suspect who allegedly robbed the Bank of America earlier this morning.

Deputies received information from Crimeline after news agencies aired the story. Kenyada Jacobs was arrested without incident at his residence located at 522 Oak Branch Circle in Poinciana. Jacobs, a registered felon was out on probation for a previous offense. He will be charged with Robbery and booked into the Osceola County jail.

Arrested Suspect: Kenyada Jacobs (DOB 10/25/77), 522 Oak Branch Circle, Poinciana

Background:
This morning at 9:07 a.m., Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Bank of America located at 3305 S. Orange Blossom Trail. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the employee who indicated a black male entered the bank, handed her a threatening note which indicated he wanted money. He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.

Deputies canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Osceola County
06-17-2009

Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies need the public’s help in identifying a robbery suspect.

This morning at 9:07 a.m., Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Bank of America located at 3305 S. Orange Blossom Trail. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the employee who indicated a black male entered the bank, handed her a threatening note which indicated he wanted money. He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.

Deputies canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

The employee describes the suspect as a black male, approximately 5′10” to 6′2”, 190 lbs. to 210 lbs. He was bald wearing a white shirt with brown/maroon stripes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477).

Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous and tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 dollars.

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