04.16.23 UPDATE from DEPUTY BILLY
At the April 2023 PIE Board of Directors meeting, we heard comments that people appreciate seeing sheriff patrol units on the Island. But a number of folks commented that they usually see units during the day and would like to see more in the evening / night, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings when there are more renters and kids in golf carts potentially causing issues. We also heard a number of positive comments about the quarterly reporting posted at the website, but there were a few questions about what "directed patrol" means. We reached out to Deputy Billy and here is his response:
Directed Patrol means a specific area or address check / extra attention to an area by units. It is a proactive call for service, pulled by officers. It is not a reactive call for service generated from a call for service to dispatch.
For instance, we received a loud noise complaint in the area of Kettle Harbor and Pointe Drive one evening. It was said that the music was too loud and continued to be too loud nightly during the spring break week. After that call for service, units conducted a directed patrol of that area in an effort to identify the culprit and address this quality-of-life issue.
That is just one example. Attention to the bridge is also given, due to the calls received about jumpers or golf carts obstructing traffic. That is another example.
Billy
At the April 2023 PIE Board of Directors meeting, we heard comments that people appreciate seeing sheriff patrol units on the Island. But a number of folks commented that they usually see units during the day and would like to see more in the evening / night, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings when there are more renters and kids in golf carts potentially causing issues. We also heard a number of positive comments about the quarterly reporting posted at the website, but there were a few questions about what "directed patrol" means. We reached out to Deputy Billy and here is his response:
Directed Patrol means a specific area or address check / extra attention to an area by units. It is a proactive call for service, pulled by officers. It is not a reactive call for service generated from a call for service to dispatch.
For instance, we received a loud noise complaint in the area of Kettle Harbor and Pointe Drive one evening. It was said that the music was too loud and continued to be too loud nightly during the spring break week. After that call for service, units conducted a directed patrol of that area in an effort to identify the culprit and address this quality-of-life issue.
That is just one example. Attention to the bridge is also given, due to the calls received about jumpers or golf carts obstructing traffic. That is another example.
Billy
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Hello all,
I was asked to write a little about myself. First and foremost, I love my career in law enforcement and policing the barrier islands here in Charlotte County is the best. As your island deputy, I am a member of the Marine Patrol Division and often assist in that capacity as well. I am seeking my vessel captains license and recently became a part of the Maritime Emergency Response Team which means I am on call for emergency marine calls such as search and rescue for overdue boaters or boaters in distress. I hold many certifications and are a part of numerous other support units at the agency too. I am a member of the Technical Surveillance Team which requires my attention in a plain-clothes undercover capacity at times to assist with long term/organized criminal investigations or crime trends occurring throughout the county. I am member of the Underwater Recovery Unit, more commonly referred to as the Dive Team. This too requires my attention from time to time based on investigations and situations throughout the county. I am part of the Emergency Response Team which is comprised of members who respond to assist & police other areas of the nation/state in the event of a natural disaster like counties devasted by hurricanes or other significant events such as the recent riots in the nation. All of these positions are demanding in their own way and require regular in-service training, but I enjoy being a valuable member of each team and ultimately being a beneficial deputy to the county. |
Deputy William (Billy) Prummell III
DEPUTY BILLY is our primary contact for all non-emergency island related items for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Call Sheriff's Dispatch at 941-474-3233.
DON'T FORGET: ALWAYS DIAL 911 IN AN EMERGENCY!
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My first priority as the island deputy is crime prevention and my responsibilities as the island deputy go beyond Palm Island. I am also responsible for patrolling Little Gasparilla Island & a portion of Boca Grande. Each aspect of my positions requires different needs and hours from me. I frequently change my schedule as it would benefit the need of the island, such as "party" holidays and other known events.
I am issued a patrol vehicle, patrol vessel and two patrol side by side all-terrain vehicles all of which have their place in policing the islands, to include but not limited to speed enforcement on land or the water, dealing with unleashed dogs on the beach especially during sea turtle season and other basic crime prevention/deterrence. They too require regular use and maintenance by me.
Just because you do not see me at times does not mean I am not there. That being said, I am not a resident of either island and do commute to work. It is important to contact the Sheriff's Office at any hour in need, not to wait until you do see me or the next morning. The marine patrol unit and I have trained and worked with members of the mainland patrol squads to operate our vessels to get to you for immediate assistance situations.
I am issued a patrol vehicle, patrol vessel and two patrol side by side all-terrain vehicles all of which have their place in policing the islands, to include but not limited to speed enforcement on land or the water, dealing with unleashed dogs on the beach especially during sea turtle season and other basic crime prevention/deterrence. They too require regular use and maintenance by me.
Just because you do not see me at times does not mean I am not there. That being said, I am not a resident of either island and do commute to work. It is important to contact the Sheriff's Office at any hour in need, not to wait until you do see me or the next morning. The marine patrol unit and I have trained and worked with members of the mainland patrol squads to operate our vessels to get to you for immediate assistance situations.
But more about me, I was raised locally and am a graduate of Lemon Bay High School. I am married to my beautiful wife Marla with our one son, Little Billy, who also requires my attention 😊. My son and I attend jujitsu 2-4 nights a week. Little Billy is a huge Pokémon fan and anyone who has approached me in my patrol truck has probably seen the Detective Pikachu hanging on my passenger side. The vacation time I earn is all spent with them and us usually on the water.
I was hired in 2011 and am reaching 10 years with the agency. Six plus of my 10 years were spent as an investigator in several units, handling cases from burglaries, thefts, homicide, sexual assaults, crimes against children and domestic violence. Many of the people I interacted with during those investigations were reluctant to interact with law enforcement and the kind/friendly people and hellos on the island have been a very positive change in this job for me. I believe I have brought the skills I learned as an investigator to this unique position as the island deputy and have used them to better police the island. Please do not be offended if I do not come in, sit down and sip coffee with you, I feel the more I am on the street, beach or water the better I am to the community.
I was hired in 2011 and am reaching 10 years with the agency. Six plus of my 10 years were spent as an investigator in several units, handling cases from burglaries, thefts, homicide, sexual assaults, crimes against children and domestic violence. Many of the people I interacted with during those investigations were reluctant to interact with law enforcement and the kind/friendly people and hellos on the island have been a very positive change in this job for me. I believe I have brought the skills I learned as an investigator to this unique position as the island deputy and have used them to better police the island. Please do not be offended if I do not come in, sit down and sip coffee with you, I feel the more I am on the street, beach or water the better I am to the community.
GOLF CART, BICYCLE and KAYAK REGISTRY
GOLF CART, BICYCLE & KAYAK REGISTRY is a program hosted by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. This is a FREE service!
Bring each item you would like to register to the event. You then simply fill out a basic information form, the Deputy will confirm the serial number and apply a numbered ID sticker to each item. The ID sticker will assist law enforcement in identifying your item if it is ever stolen.
Please use the following form for the registration process, complete both top and bottom as you will keep half and Sheriff Billy will keep the other half.
Golf Cart Registration Form