The Vero Beach Police Department Special Investigations Unit, Sebastian Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit, and Indian River County Sheriff's Office Vice Unit has been conducting a criminal investigation into multiple massage parlor locations within Indian River County. This six-month investigation involving multiple jurisdictions has culminated by charging nearly two hundred subjects with over two hundred counts of solicitation. Additionally, the main targets of the investigation were also charged with various counts of law violations to include the following: Racketeering, deriving support from prostitution, engaging in prostitution, and transportation for prostitution. This combined effort included assistance from other jurisdictions including Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida, Orlando Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, and the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida State Attorney’s Office.  ​

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​As we embark onto the new school year we are reminded of the lives that were lost in Parkland, Florida last year.  As a result of the tragedy, Florida enacted a new law requiring law enforcement to be present at all public schools in the capacity as School Resource Officers.  Due to this new law we are assigning three of our law enforcement officers to the following schools:  Beachland Elementary, Rosewood Magnet, and Saint Helen’s Catholic School.  We have personally hand selected each officer based on their experience, education, and certifications to not only protect the students but to also continue to create/ maintain relationships within the community.  The following is a small biography for each officer along with their assignment:

We have a lot of tips to help keep everyone safe this Fourth of July! Please check out the info-graphics below on tips to stay safe, to keep your pets safe and for everyone to have a good time!

There were an estimated 12,900 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries in 2017. Moreover, about 67 percent of the estimated annual fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries for 2017 occurred during the month surrounding the Fourth of July holiday, between June 16, 2017 and July 16, 2017. During this one month period, sparklers were the number one cause of injuries, accounting for 14 percent of the estimated injuries.

Además, se calcula que hubo unas 12,900 lesiones vinculadas a los fuegos artificiales que fueron tratadas en emergencias en 2017. Asimismo, alrededor de 67% de las lesiones vinculadas con fuegos artificiales que fueron tratadas en emergencias en el año 2017 tuvieron lugar en el mes alrededor del 4 de julio, es decir, entre el 16 de junio y el 16 de julio de 2017. En ese período de un mes, los dispositivos que lanzan bengalas (conocidos como estrellitas o luces de bengala) fueron la principal causa de lesiones al representar 14% de las lesiones estimadas.

We don't want to forget our furry kids! Here are some tips to keep them safe, and happy during this stressful time!

The Florida Department of Health in Indian River (DOH-Indian River) has issued a rabies alert for Indian River County. This rabies alert is for 60 days and includes the following boundaries:
• South of State Route 60 also known as 20th Street
• North of Oslo Road also known as 9th Street SW
• East of 66th Avenue
• West of US Highway 1
This rabies alert is in response to a stray cat that tested positive for rabies on May 15. While working in their yard, the victim was attacked by an adult, tricolor (browns), domestic, shorthaired cat on May 13. The victim defended themselves with a garden tool. It is important that you contact the DOH-Indian River immediately if you have been scratched or bitten by a cat meeting this description in the last two weeks in the geographic boundary of the rabies alert.
All residents of Indian River County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Indian River County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.
Health officials urge residents to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure by avoiding contact with wild and stray animals and to vaccinate their pets. “We strongly advise residents not to approach or feed wild and stray animals, and keep their pets vaccinated,” said Miranda Hawker, Indian River County Health Officer.
An animal with rabies could infect domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes. Free ranging domestic cats that compete with wild animals for food sources are at risk for getting rabies.
For more information on rabies please go to:  

http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html

The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know where you will ride out the storm and get your supplies now. You don’t want to be standing in long lines when a Hurricane Watch is issued. Those supplies that you need will probably be sold out by the time you reach the front of the line. Being prepared, before a hurricane threatens, makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between your being a hurricane victim and a hurricane survivor.

https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
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http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Many Americans rely on their neighbors after a disaster, but there are also many ways you can help your neighbors before a hurricane approaches. Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes:

​https://community.fema.gov/action/plan-with-neighbors

If you plan to ride out a hurricane in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand high winds.

https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation
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http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

This Hurricane Preparedness Week, call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Don’t forget coverage for your car or boat. Remember, standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you’ll need a separate policy for flooding. It’s available through your company, agent or use the agent locator at www.floodsmart.gov. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
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https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation

If a hurricane strikes, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy recovery period that could follow. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of one week. Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You’ll also need a portable crank or solar powered USB charger to charge your cell phone.

https://www.ready.gov/kit
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http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

During Hurricane Preparedness Week, make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about.

http://flash.org/hurricane-season/evacuation-zones/find-your-evacuation-zones.pdf

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare