Sharing.
Team work.
Those are the hallmarks of a pioneering effort launched after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by former Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter.
He forged a connection between local and federal law-enforcement agencies to track and hold illegal immigrants. This program was and remains based on the fundamental belief that all law-enforcement agencies share the same mission, and to help them do it, they ought to know who is on the street, and where and when they have been picked up for whatever reason.
One agency might be holding someone who is being sought by another agency.
The program has evolved to such an extent that Collier deputies cross train with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and ICE has staff and offices within the Sheriff’s Office.
Now Hunter’s successor, Kevin Rambosk, is part of an innovative step further.
He has announced a joint venture by law enforcement and other emergency responders in 10 counties north and east of us to share information on crimes, investigations and suspects.
Due to be operative within six months at an as yet undisclosed site in Fort Myers, this fusion center would join three others in Florida and six dozen others across the nation.
Civil libertarians are already on the alert for abuses, and it is good for organizers to know that. Missteps such as invasions of privacy and spreading false reports could undo all the hard work.
The fusion center program aims to make the most of intelligence and technology. That’s collaboration, making teamwork routine rather than something out of the ordinary.
That recognizes the age-old truism that crime and criminals know no city or county lines. They move freely to opportunities and hiding places.
The program takes “we’re all in this together” to a new level — pro-active rather than reactive.
This is great — using information already in hand in new, better and smarter ways.
Congratulations to everyone involved. Leaders have raised our expectations for good results for public safety.
Collier County arrests 11-19-09
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Collier County arrests 11-21-09
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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