| President's Message |
February 24, 2012
Dear FLEPRU members,
I would like to thank all our members, sponsors and FLEPRU's Board for making our 2011 Annual Training Conference a huge success. Our next annual training Conference will be December 5-7, 2012 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.
FLEPRU realizes every agency is facing difficult times again this year due to budget cuts. We also recognize the importance of good training by experienced instructors. Therefore, FLEPRU will extend our offer to waive the conference tuition fee of a member's immediate supervisor, if the member is attending. That's a $175 savings! Please be sure to make your hotel reservations early. The cutoff date for our room block is November 5, 2012 and there are a limited number of rooms blocked.
Investigator of the Year:
I would like to congratulate Daytona Beach Detective Scott Frantz. Detective Frantz is the recipient of our 2011 Investigator of the year award. Detective Frantz recently spear-headed a One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) Organized Retail Crime Investigation. The criminal organization included a sophisticated nontraditional organized crime ring which operated in Central Florida and was based out of Daytona Beach. The products which were stolen by professional shoplifters (boosters) would in turn be sold to multiple fences in the Daytona Beach area for re-sale to two secondary stores. As a direct result of Detective Franz's dedication, this group was dismantled with multiple arrests, numerous search warrants, and the seizure of thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise.
This investigation conducted by Detective Frantz in cooperation with CVS and Walgreens is a superb illustration of the cooperation between law enforcement and retailers in the fight against organized crime.
Pawn Broker of the Year:
I would also like to congratulate Kent Morden, owner of US Pawn and Auto in Winter Springs, FL. Mr. Morden is the recipient of our 2011 Pawn Broker of the Year Award. Investigator Debbie Galutz, with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, nominated Mr. Morden. Investigator Galutz states that as a member of the business community, Mr. Morden assists law enforcement in protecting the community.
On a few occasions, Mr. Morden has called Investigator Galutz to report concerns about suspicious customers and suspicious activity. With Mr. Morden's assistance, Investigator Galutz was able to solve cases and recover stolen property.
2012 Investigator of the Year/Pawn Broker of the Year Nominations:
FLEPRU is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for our 2012 annual "Pawnshop of the Year" award and "Investigator of the Year" award. Nominations must be received by November 1, 2012 to qualify. Please email your nominations to mitzi.perry@stpete.org. Recipients of the award will be recognized during the opening ceremony at our 2012 Annual Conference.
Legislative:
Detective Greg Pollock, Vice President, and other members of our legislative committee have been working hard this year. We have proposed a Bill that amends the Secondhand Dealer Statute. The Bill would revise the requirements for payments made by secondary metals recyclers to sellers of regulated metals property to prohibit certain cash transactions, and preempt the state regulation of secondary metals recyclers and purchase transactions involving regulated metals property. The Bills are moving along. There have been some minor changes made from the original Bill filed. See links to Senate Bill 540 and House Bill 885 for status.
- http://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0540
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http://apps.lobbytools.com/pub/index.cfm?type=bills&id=331
-http://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/885
-http://apps.lobbytools.com/pub/index.cfm?type=bills&id=33775
FLEPRU is always in need of your help legislatively. Whether it is contacting members of the House and Senate by phone or email, or going to Tallahassee when our Bills go in front of their assigned committees. If you are able to help with the trips to Tallahassee, FLEPRU will assist with your travel expenses to get there……and no experience is necessary. If you are able to assist, please contact Det Greg Pollock at gpollock@hcso.tampa.fl.us or 813-363-8493.
In closing, I would encourage every to be involved in FLEPRU as much as you can. If we stand together as one there is more power in numbers when it comes to legislation, solving cases, etc Stay safe!!
Sincerely,
Mitzi Perry,
President
FLEPRU
Mitzi.perry@stpete.org
727-893-7592