It may be surprising for some of us to learn that the duties of the police do not just involve fighting crime, apprehending criminals, chasing thieves and other 'crime busting' duties, but include traffic control, dealing with community and social nuisance problems, attending sports/social events, crime prevention advice and many other less pressing tasks, in other words, 'order maintenance'. The police force as we know it today has changed radically from the first policemen that patrolled the streets in the 19th century and criminologists have recently played a large part in influencing police strategies. Recently, a return back to the early days of maintaining order has seemed to have emerged with the appearance of the 'broken windows' theory, an approach to policing that emphasizes creating and maintaining orderly public spaces, suggesting that continuing urban decay of a community will lead to higher levels of crime and disorder.

 This theory was highly successful in New York City and has been utilized in several cities throughout the United States with great success.  The Green Cove Springs Police Department has taken steps in this direction with the implementation of the Nuisance Abatement Board which the City of Green Cove Springs has assembled and put into use.  The program follows the Florida State Statute in Chapter 823 which covers Public Nuisances.  The best thing about this new program is the homeowners are held responsible for what takes place on their property, just as they should be.

  The Green Cove Springs P.D. has yet again taken steps in the right direction to drive the criminal elements at large in the city elsewhere.  This coupled with the recent seizure proceedings of other known drug houses sends a very clear message from the Green Cove Springs Police Department to drug dealers and criminals residing within the city limits, GET OUT OR GO TO JAIL.  I commend their department and the aggressive stance they have taken on drug dealers in this community.  Thank You.