EWS Expands Crime Fighting Program

DELAND -- Three to four times a week, Juan Lebron, along with more than 365 of his colleagues, are in and out of Volusia County neighborhoods. 

Lebron says the things he sees could help solve a crime.

"You find all kind of stuff in the trash so that we can report to our managers," Lebron said.

That's why The Emerald Waste Services workers along with other service repairmen and technicians are participating in a new program called Businesses On The Look Out.

It’s a new program that teaches workers how to look out for suspicious activity and report it to the authorities.

"Sometimes it's the smallest of clues that solve the biggest of crimes," said Sheriff Ben Johnson, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Training began earlier this month to get workers up to speed on how to spot people and vehicles that are out of place.  Volunteers are also being trained to keep an eye out for things like broken glass or open car doors. 

Officials say they need to think out of the box to get what they need done.

"As our budget dollars get less, it means we have to reach out more and more for these partnerships," Johnson said.

The sheriff's office is calling it a "mobile neighborhood watch on wheels.”

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Department is still looking for more businesses to participate in the BOLO program.  If you're interested call the Volusia County Sheriff's Office at (386) 736-5961.

Story By Kelli Cook 13 Central Florida News

Video Link http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/9/23/businesses_on_lookout_for_crime_activity.html