Additional police presence, incorporation discussed by MSD

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The MSD board of Ponte Vedra Beach met for the first time since it was informed that the Sherriff’s Office chose to turn down its proposed contract for a supplemental police presence in the area.

The board discussed the options available to them to find the best way to go about making sure additional police presence still exists in the MSD during its Oct. 11 meeting.

Using a private security force, working out a contract to use off-duty Sheriff’s Office deputies or creating their own police force were the three options discussed.

Board chairman Brad Wester explained that looking into using off-duty deputies either on a 24-hour, rotational or on-demand basis could be something to look into further.

He stated that supplemental contracts are nothing new to the MSD and is the way they go about getting various other areas, such as public works services.

“An off-duty contract gives the opportunity to have even more accountability,” Wester said.

Vice chairman Al Hollan said that he is opposed to using a private security outfit because of a lack of authority outside of a gated community setting.

Wester said he would meet with the Sheriff’s Office to see what it would take to possibly work out an off-duty contract.

Trustee John Cellucci stated that he would be fine with using the off-duty option, as a bridge period while they explore eventually establishing their own police department.

Treasurer Gary Jurenovich agreed with Cellucci’s idea that the “way to go” is to look into the formation of the MSD’s own police department.

“Shame on us and the leadership of this board for letting it (situation with Sheriff’s Office contract) get to October,” Jurenovich said. “I think for $435,000 we can easily have our own police force.”

According to Jurenovich, if they have the means to staff an off-duty presence, why couldn’t they just go ahead and staff their own department?

“I think if you drill it down, the root cause in all of this is Nocatee,” Jurenovich said. “The animal we have to be prepared for is on the western side of the intracoastal.”

“The resources in this community are moving to Nocatee, our county commissioner is living in Nocatee, the money and votes are coming from Nocatee,” Jurenovich said. “It’s a matter of time before Nocatee becomes a city and says goodbye to the MSD. We have to be prepared for that, and we need to start looking into incorporating.”

Wester said he took exception to Jurenovich’s statement that the board and its leadership let the contract with the Sheriff’s Office get so late in the process.

He stated that it was Jurenovich’s dialogue with the department that created friction and a reluctancy to continue the contract.

“We had it negotiated at least four months in advance,” Wester said about the proposed contract timeline. “Let’s stay focused on moving forward.”

According to Hollan, the board has the authority to create its own police force, but he said they should be careful with that path because of the liability that comes into play.

Jurenovich stated that he did not think the liability was something that could not be figured out to make it work.

Wester expects to have firm numbers regarding the police presence options to present to the board and public at its next meeting on Nov. 8.