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DAVIDSON COUNTY
SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ADMINISTERED ICE OATH
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE CONTACT:
Karla Crocker
03202007021 862-8235
(o)
335-7345 (m)
DAVIDSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ADMINISTERED ICE
OATH
Fifteen Davidson County Sheriff’s deputies, who have endured
four weeks of intensive training to enforce immigration laws in Davidson
County jails, are scheduled to graduate Thursday. The deputies will be
administered the oath of office by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) official and joined by Sheriff Daron Hall, Mayor Bill Purcell, and
District Attorney Torry Johnson. Graduation is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the
Jerry Newson Center (Old Metro Workhouse), 710 South Fifth Street.
The program, referred to as 287 (g), originated
in the Immigration and Nationality Act passed by Congress. The initiative
is designed to multiply the forces of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) through enhanced cooperation and communication with state
and local law enforcement. Under the agreement ICE trains deputies, and
upon completion of training, authorizes those deputies to identify, process,
and when appropriate, detain criminal illegal immigrants encountered in the
booking process.
“I think it is fitting these officers will
graduate in the exact same room where we all gathered six months ago to
announce our application for 287 (g). We have come full circle. A lot of
people at all levels of government worked extremely hard to bring this
training to Davidson County and we will work just as hard to see that the
program is carried out appropriately,” Hall said.
ICE representatives are scheduled to install necessary equipment the last
week of March and Hall hopes to have the program operating soon thereafter.
“This is when our officers have to put what they have studied over the past
four weeks into practical, everyday scenarios. I am certain, as with any
new program, there will be bumps in the road - but I am even more certain
our ability to enforce immigration laws with people coming through our
jails, will ultimately benefit the Nashville community,” Hall concluded.
###
SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPONSORS SOBER RIDE
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
CONTACT: Rick Gentry* 335-7346 (m)
SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPONSORS SOBER RIDE ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Davidson County Sheriff’s Office volunteers are preparing for the fourth
annual Sober Ride St. Patrick’s Day. This comes just three months after the
New Year’s event that provided free, safe, and sober rides to more than
2,400 individuals. In the past three years, Sober Ride St. Patrick’s Day
has provided approximately 1,750 rides to those individuals who find
themselves too intoxicated to drive.
“We knew we wanted to provide this service on St. Patrick’s Day and decided
a few of years ago to go ahead and try it out on weekdays – anticipating
this year’s event being bigger because the holiday falls on a Saturday. In
2004 and 2005, we had smaller numbers, 350 and 500 respectively, and last
year rides jumped to nearly 900. We anticipate just as many riders this
year,” Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall said.
The St. Patrick’s Day event will operate similarly to the New Year’s Eve
Sober Ride, with the exception of the downtown bus route.
“Our message to everyone out partying this Saturday night is call a sober
friend, call a cab, or call Sober Ride. You certainly do not want to wake
up in one of our jails – or worse – be the cause of a fatal crash. Be
responsible and make the right decision,” Hall added.
For a sober ride on St. Patrick’s Day, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., call 862-RIDE
(7433). Operates in Davidson County only and reservations are not accepted.
This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of
Transportation, Governor’s Highway Safety Office and the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration.
###
*Editor’s Note: Karla Crocker is
out of town, so please contact Rick Gentry on his cell phone, 335-7346, if
you are interested in this story. Our main driver’s briefing is scheduled
to take place at the Jerry Newson Center (Old Metro Workhouse), 710 South
Fifth Street, and will start at 9 p.m.
SHERIFF’S
IMMIGRATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETS FOR FIRST TIME
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karla Crocker - 862-8235 (office)
Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall has formed a Sheriff’s Immigration
Advisory Council to address issues surrounding the possible implementation
of the 287 (g) program. The council will meet monthly and the first meeting
is scheduled for Wednesday. It is supported by community advocates,
immigration attorneys, and government representatives.
The 287 (g) program originated in the Immigration and Nationality Act passed
by Congress in 1996. The initiative is designed to multiply the forces of
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through enhanced cooperation
and communication with state and local law enforcement. Under the
agreement, once approved, ICE will provide training to Davidson County
Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies followed by authorization to identify,
process, and when appropriate, detain criminal illegal immigrants
encountered in the booking process.
“Although we have not yet been approved to participate in 287 (g), I think
it is extremely important to know early on what issues are concerning those
in the community. Since we applied in August, I have met with a variety of
advocates and felt it was in everyone’s best interest to put together a
small working group of representatives to examine these issues and find the
best possible solutions – while still maintaining the integrity of 287 (g),”
Hall said.
Hall has continued his push for participation in the program and has
received positive feedback from U.S. Department of Homeland Security
officials. He will travel to Washington, D.C., next month to further
express his interest in approval for Davidson County.
“I
am anticipating moving forward and believe, although no program is perfect,
this is the best solution for our community. Organizing this council puts
us ahead of the curve so that when we do receive the nod of approval, much
of the groundwork is already laid,” Hall added.
Members of the council include: Rick Casares, an independent advocate;
Salvador Guzman, owner of La Hacienda restaurants and La Ley Hispanic Radio;
Maria Clara Mejia, director of sociocultural and civic programs with
Conexion Americas; Elliot Ozment, an immigration attorney; and Yvette
Sebelist, also an immigration attorney.
“These representatives are the leaders in Nashville’s immigrant
community and have shown a great passion for immigration issues. I am
confident their participation will result in a balanced approach to our
efforts,” Hall concluded.
Other officials include Ron Kidd, retired ICE Agent; Ross Alderman, Davidson
County Public Defender; and Ronal Serpas, Metropolitan/Nashville Chief of
Police.
###
Editor’s
Note: The Sheriff’s Immigration Advisory
Council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m., Davidson County
Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, 506 Second Avenue North.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEADERS ANNOUNCE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT REFORM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karla Crocker - 862-8235 (office)
Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, Chief Ronal Serpas, and District
Attorney General Torry Johnson announced Tuesday a plan to make sweeping
changes in the way the Davidson County criminal justice system deals with
criminal illegal immigrants. In a request letter to the federal government,
Hall has asked that sheriff’s deputies be allowed to enforce federal
immigration laws as it relates to criminal illegal immigrants.
The program, referred to as 287 (g), originated in the Immigration and
Nationality Act passed by Congress. The initiative is designed to multiply
the forces of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through
enhanced cooperation and communication with state and local law
enforcement. Under the agreement, once approved, ICE will provide training
to deputies followed by authorization to identify, process, and when
appropriate, detain criminal illegal immigrants encountered in the booking
process.
“During 2006, several very serious cases involving criminal illegal
immigrants in Nashville prompted the three of us to begin formulating plans
to better protect the citizens of Davidson County. Recognizing that no plan
or program is perfect, the 287 (g) option appears to be well suited for
Nashville and we immediately began making further inquiries about its
implementation here,” Hall, Serpas, and Johnson said.
“While Nashville is doing more than most cities by routinely checking
foreign born arrestees against an ICE database, it is clear that we can make
our processes even stronger, but the federal government must grant our
request. The three of us agree that the process we propose is in the best
interest of everyone, including the law abiding immigrant population,” Hall,
Serpas and Johnson said.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) in Charlotte,
North Carolina, began participation in 287 (g) earlier this year. Hall
visited MCSO recently and discovered after five months, deputies have
processed more than 1,000 offenders who indicated a place of birth other
than the United States. Of those, more than 450 criminal illegal immigrants
have been placed in deportation proceedings. According to Hall, those
numbers are in great contrast to what is happening locally.
“In fiscal year 2006, we encountered just over 4,000 individuals in our
booking room who indicated they were foreign born. During that same time
period, there were only 156 deportation holds placed by ICE officials,” Hall
said. “If we can get approval to participate in 287 (g), we will have
direct access to the federal information – just like Mecklenburg County –
and our trained deputies can initiate deportation proceedings on criminal
illegal immigrants.”
Success of the program has pushed federal officials to
proceed with developing a deportation court in Mecklenburg County that
should be online next year. Once federal authorization to participate in
the program is granted, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office plans to mirror
the MCSO program.
“My staff and I have been in daily contact with Mecklenburg County Sheriff
Jim Pendergraph and members of his staff. I am impressed by the program’s
efficiency and believe, based on what we know, that Davidson County will see
similar results; however, we need the support of federal officials to get
this plan moving on to the next step,” Hall said.
Hall has met with U.S. Representative Jim Cooper’s staff and describes
Cooper as, “extremely supportive of what we are trying to accomplish and
will provide all the assistance he possibly can at the federal level.”
Cooper joined local officials for the announcement this week.
Hall, Serpas, and Johnson hope to receive approval in the coming weeks and
will continue meetings to formulate local procedures to ensure the program’s
objectives are met. Davidson County will be the third local jurisdiction
east of Phoenix, Arizona, participating in 287 (g) and the only one in
Tennessee.
“It is important for us to emphasize that this program will affect only
those illegal immigrants who have a blatant disregard for laws in Davidson
County. If you are in this country illegally and commit a crime, we will
process you under the federal authority given to us through 287 (g),” Hall,
Serpas, and Johnson concluded.
###
SHERIFF
DARON HALL SCHEDULED FOR SECOND TERM SWEARING-IN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karla Crocker - 862-8235 (office)
Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, the first unopposed sheriff and the
youngest ever elected in Metro government history, will be sworn into office
by Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2
p.m., at the Justice A.A. Birch Building, Courtroom 6A. Hall, the county’s
61st sheriff, plans to continue work on the strong foundation he
has built over the past four years.
“I
could not be more proud of what our team has accomplished. During these
four years, we opened state-of-the-art facilities and a new courthouse while
remaining the only agency of its kind in the United States fully accredited
by the American Correctional Association. These accomplishments alone
demonstrate just how successful and productive the Davidson County Sheriff’s
Office has been,” Hall said.
Other accomplishments of Hall’s first term include:
- Stayed
within annual budget funding without requesting a supplemental budget;
-
Increased revenues for the Metro general fund
by 51 percent;
- Worked
to increase correctional staff benefits and salary which has allowed the
DCSO to have one of the lowest employee turnover rates in the country;
- Expanded
the DCSO’s alternative sentencing program by 60 percent;
- Named
to both the National Sheriffs’ Association Board of Directors and the
American Correctional Association Executive Board.
“The Sheriff’s Office will continue to operate under the idea
that we want to be the leader in corrections, civil process, and community
based programming. We want to continue our focus of turning offenders into
taxpayers instead of them being a tax burden,” Hall concluded.
###
SHERIFF’S OFFICE PROVIDES SOBER RIDES FOR 22nd CONSECUTIVE
YEAR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karla Crocker - 862-8235 (office)
Since 1983,
the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has sponsored Sober Ride – a
service that provides free, safe, and sober rides for those in Davidson
County too intoxicated to drive on New Year’s Eve. That tradition will
continue this holiday as DCSO employees prepare to once again give up their
holiday to ensure residents arrive home safely.
“Sober Ride is a
Nashville tradition and people have come to depend on this service. Over
the past 10 years, we have taken about 11,000 people home including almost
2,500 last year, and we feel certain a tragedy has been avoided by keeping
these people off the roads,” Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall said.
All drivers are
Sheriff’s Office employees and many of the nearly 200 volunteers have made
Sober Ride their New Year’s Eve tradition. Many individuals work at
headquarters answering phones, verifying calls, and mapping pick-up
locations.
Drivers will take
people home, not to another party or bar, and serves Davidson County. No
reservations are allowed.
“The most
important decision someone will make this holiday – or any holiday for that
matter – is to not drink and drive. I encourage anyone who has had one too
many to call Sober Ride and arrive home safely,” Hall added.
For a free, safe,
and sober ride home this New Year’s Eve, call 862-RIDE. Operating hours are
from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
This project is
funded in part under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of
Transportation, Governor’s Highway Safety Office and the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration.
###
DAVIDSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE HISTORY ON DISPLAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karla Crocker, 862-8235 (office)
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and
Metro Archives will kick-off a month long exhibit entitled “Doing Time” on
Thursday, October 20, 2 p.m. The exhibit will feature 220 years of DCSO
memorabilia and information. Sheriff Daron Hall will be joined by former
Sheriff Thomas Cartwright, who served nearly 50 years ago, and Sheriff Gayle
Ray. Additionally, family members of deceased Sheriffs Fate Thomas and
Garner Robinson will attend.
“This exhibit will walk visitors through the fascinating, and
sometimes tumultuous, history of the Sheriff’s Office. We have spent the
past couple of years contacting families and gathering various items of
interest in order to have the most comprehensive exhibit possible. History
buffs, political observers, and long-time residents of Davidson County will
find this collection extremely interesting,” Hall said.
In addition to the exhibit, the Sheriff’s Office has recently
released a DCSO History Book that includes much of the items on display as
well as a historical summation of the agency dating back to 1783. These
books will also be on display and available for purchase to those
interested.
“When you have an office with such a rich and colorful history
as that of sheriff, I think it is important to not only document that
history through various memorabilia, but I also think compiling that
information into one document is valuable. We are excited about sharing our
exhibit with those outside of the Sheriff’s Office,” Hall added.
If you are interested in the “Doing Time” exhibit, please visit
Metro Archives, 3801 Green Hills Village Drive, between October 20 and
November 18.
###
DAVIDSON COUNTY SHERIFF DARON HALL FACES COUNCIL
ON BUDGET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karla Crocker, 862-8235 (office)
On Tuesday, Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall will face the
Metro Council to discuss the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) budget
for fiscal year 2005-06. While looking toward the future, Hall will also
take this opportunity to examine the past year’s accomplishments.
“Although the purpose of this meeting is primarily to discuss
what is proposed for the Sheriff’s Office budget in the upcoming year, I
would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t explain to the taxpayers what we
have been able to do with their money over the past 12 months,” Hall said.
“My administration has a track record of being within our approved budget
and creating new streams of revenue.”
Given that 85 percent of the DCSO budget is driven by salaries
and benefits, Hall has chosen to focus on issues such as turnover rates and
overtime as ways to manage the budget wisely.
“Our turnover rate is 9.6 percent – one of the lowest in the
country. Having this low of a turnover rate reduces overtime and training
costs. These are always two of the more expensive line items in any public
safety agency’s budget,” Hall emphasized.
Additionally, the DCSO exceeded revenue projections by 24
percent, totaling $1.3 million more than expected. Since Hall took office,
overall revenue has increased by 51 percent.
“This year we’ve experienced our largest revenue increase due in
large part to creating fee-based inmate programming,” Hall said. “We also
reviewed and renegotiated contracts involving federal reimbursements for
housing prisoners. That further contributed to our impressive revenue
numbers.”
Other ways the sheriff keeps his agency running efficiently is
by working in cooperation with the Metro Police Department. DCSO
officials
are now serving outstanding criminal warrants on those incarcerated and will
soon start working hospital posts that, historically, were staffed by police
officers.
“I believe police officers should be on the streets in our
community, not trying to serve warrants in our jails or at the hospital
making certain arrestees who have been injured are secured. We are a
public safety agency that should do anything we can to make the system
work better, and make our streets safer. Managing our time, energy, and
resources serves the public and ensures we continue our commitment to
excellence,” Hall concluded.
###
Editor’s Note: Sheriff Daron Hall will appear before
the Metro Council at 5:15 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, Metro City Hall.
On
Wednesday, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) begins the final
phase of a new program for female inmates that will allow dogs, cats, and
other suitable animals live in the Correctional Development Center with
offenders. The program, Helping to Educate and Enhance Lives (HEEL), is a
partnership between the DCSO and Metro Animal Services Center that is
designed to teach participants a variety of life skills.
“For years, we’ve
had a program designed for male offenders that gives them an opportunity to
work with animals. As staff began to examine program opportunities for
woman, I encouraged them to take a look at creating a ‘cell dog’ type
experience. After months of planning and preparation, we are in the final
phase of this process – moving the animals into the facility,” Davidson
County Sheriff Daron Hall said.
HEEL is comprised
of three phases starting with classroom instruction. Participants are
instructed on animal behavior, proper care, emergency first aid, safety in
handling animals, and importance of spaying and neutering. Phase two
involves offenders working four afternoons per week at Metro Animal Services
Center. This step is designed to teach a good work ethic, responsibility,
and provide exposure to different animals. During phase two, participants
are paired with animals that will live in the detention facility with them
for a period of eight weeks.
According to
Hall, the benefits of a program like HEEL are numerous and include providing
the offender an outlet to demonstrate attention and affection, teaching
offenders the concept of cooperation, and teaching the importance of a good
work ethic.
“I want to
emphasize that the most important aspect of this program is to teach the
inmate accountability and responsibility. Many of the women who come
through our system are mothers; however, they have never learned the concept
of being responsible for another life. If we can get them to correlate and
identify commonalities of parenting and taking care of an animal, we have
made another step in assisting them once they are released from jail,” Hall
said. “Additionally, they will be held accountable when it comes to meeting
program requirements and for personal decisions when it comes to caring for
their animal.”
Phase three is the
period when the animal and offender live together. During this step,
inmates are instructed on basic obedience, housebreaking, and socialization
– with the idea that properly trained animals are more adoptable and less
likely to be euthanized.
Women are
interviewed for the program based on their request, and must meet the
following criteria for participation: they must be convicted on all
charges, can not be convicted on any offense regarding animal, elder, or
child abuse, must have at least four months left to serve, be approved for
outside work, have no disciplinary infractions in the past three months, and
be medically cleared to participate. Currently, seven offenders are in the
program.
Animals selected
for the program are temperament tested by both Metro Animal Services and by
the DCSO HEEL coordinator. They must demonstrate no aggressive tendencies
towards people or other animals and have been spayed or neutered.
“I’ve said many
times that the police arrest the person, and my commitment is to strive to
arrest the problem. This program is another step toward fulfilling that
commitment,” Hall added.
###
Editor’s Note:
Animals will be moved from the Metro Animal Services Center, 5125
Harding Place, to the CDC-F facility, 5115 Harding Place, at approximately
10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 11. Participants will be preparing their animals
for the move (bathing, drying, brushing) at the center from 9:30 a.m. –
10:30 a.m. If you are interested, please contact me at the number(s)
provided.
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