Latest news with #ClayCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Clay County Sheriff's Office makes over 100 arrests in countywide drug crackdown
The Clay County Sheriff's Office announced it has arrested more than 100 people and seized nearly 20,000 grams of illegal drugs as part of a countywide drug crackdown called 'Hammer and Hope.' The five-month-long operation targeted drug activity across the county, with a particular focus on the Middleburg and Clay Hill areas. 'Since January of this year, countywide, we made 132 felony drug arrests and 40 misdemeanor arrests,' said Clay County Undersheriff Ron Lendvay. Of the 132 felony arrests, 39 were made in the Middleburg and Clay Hill communities. Nancy Salyer, a Clay Hill area resident, says drugs are still a major issue where she lives. 'Hope that they can get more people than they already have, because apparently it's still a problem in Middleburg,' Salyer said. The operation, 'Hammer and Hope,' is an annual initiative conducted by the Clay County Sheriff's Office in collaboration with Clay Fire Rescue. It consists of two parts: enforcement and rehabilitation. 'The 'hammer' portion is focused on cracking down on drug dealers,' Lendvay explained. 'We believe that every addict, those who are in their family suffering from what they're going through, should be shown a path out — that's the 'hope'.' Clay Fire Rescue plays a key role in the second part of the initiative through its paramedicine program, aimed at helping people struggling with addiction. 'In 2024, Clay County Fire and Rescue responded to approximately 660 overdoses,' said Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Jairo Herrera. Herrera added that the department distributed more than 9,000 doses of Narcan to the community, with 106 of those doses administered by people outside of emergency services. Salyer said she supports both the enforcement and rehabilitation aspects of the program. 'If they can get them arrested, and maybe in a program or something to help them to clean up their lives,' she said. 'They are ruining their lives and need help,' she added. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The sheriff's office is currently looking for two individuals — Bobby Pruitt and Donald Messer — who are wanted for the sale and delivery of methamphetamine. Officials said they also partnered with Impact Clay, who offer a pathway to those in need of help. CCSO added that the operation is part of a continued effort to reduce drug activity and help those affected by addiction across Clay County. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Green Cove Springs man arrested after SWAT callout
Bruce Allen Hamilton is under arrest in Clay County, following an armed standoff in Green Cove Springs Monday night. It happened on Cold Stream Lane. Deputies were called there to help a family who said Hamilton was drunk, armed and making threats toward family members. Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The Clay County Sheriff's Office sent its SWAT team. During the standoff, investigators said Hamilton fired shots toward deputies. After hours of negotiations, investigators said Hamilton surrendered peacefully. No one was hurt. Sheriff Michelle Cook issued this statement in a news release: 'Our deputies and specialized units demonstrated incredible restraint, discipline, and teamwork in resolving a volatile and dangerous situation. I'm grateful no one was injured and proud of the professionalism shown by everyone involved. This incident is a strong reminder of the risks our deputies face every day to protect this community.' Advertisement Hamilton is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and fifteen counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Investigators hope partial tattoo found on Clay County human remains leads to identity
Clay County Sheriff's Office released a photo Monday of a drawing of a partial tattoo found on human remains last month on Fleming Island. The partial tattoo was found on the victim's leg. 'This is a sketch of what is believed to be a partial tattoo, based on the state of decomposition,' a Clay County Sheriff's Office social media post states. The human remains washed onto a bulkhead of the St. Johns River off of Highway 17 near Doctors Lake Bridge on May 7. They were found by a homeowner who called 911. Anyone with information regarding the human remains is asked to submit a tip through the SaferWatch app. Tipsters can remain anonymous and earn up to a $5,000 reward if the information leads to an arrest or significantly advances the case. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘Always have a good time:' Law enforcement on high alert Friday for Clay County's ‘Boater Skip Day'
Boater Skip Day in Clay County means hundreds hitting the open water to celebrate the unofficial kick-off of summer, all while taking a bit of unapproved time off work. 'A lot of the people that are going either take off work or take off school for this. So I think it's pretty fun to see everybody just come out and party together and everything,' Becca Staefe told Action News Jax before hitting the water on Friday. 'We always have a good time, there's no issues or anything. So it's kind of cool to see a bunch of different communities getting together.' However, the heightened crowds out on the water also mean more dangers to be aware of. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'When you put a bunch of people, a bunch of vessels, then you mix in the conditions of weather, heat-related illness, injuries with anchors, intoxication, and all that, you got to have as much help as you can out there,' Brooks Morrell with the Clay County Sheriff's Office said Friday. 'It's not a Clay County Sheriff's Office-sanctioned event or anything, but we're out there for the health and safety and the security of everybody out there, so we make sure that they have a good time out there.' Multiple law enforcement agencies all patrolled the popular Bayard sand bar for trouble on Friday, making sure boaters stay hydrated, celebrated responsibly, and had the safety gear needed to enjoy Clay County's biggest unofficial holiday on the water, while avoiding the worst-case scenario. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'You just wanna make sure you have all your required Coast Guard equipment, [like a] life jacket for each person, type four throwable, fire extinguisher, and a sound producing device,' Morrell said. CCSO officials ask that boaters also keep in mind the boater safety practices used Friday, throughout the coming summer months, celebrating responsibly while enjoying the waterways Clay County has to offer. You can find a link to a variety of boater safety resources on the Coast Guard website by clicking here. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
SaferWatch and Clay County Sheriff's Office Launch Crime Tip Rewards Program
New crime prevention initiative offers up to $5,000 for actionable tips submitted through the SaferWatch app or text line that lead to arrests, preventions or the recovery of long-term missing persons. CLAY COUNTY, Fla., June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clay County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and SaferWatch are proud to announce the launch of the SaferWatch Rewards Program, a new public safety initiative designed to encourage community reporting of criminal activity, prevent acts of mass violence and help to find long-term missing persons. The program offers cash rewards for tips that lead to successful law enforcement and public safety outcomes. Through this partnership, SaferWatch has established an initial $50,000 fund for Clay County, Florida, dedicated to rewarding individuals who submit actionable tips through the SaferWatch platform—either via the SaferWatch app, SaferWatch Text Line or a SaferWatch Web Form. Eligible tips may involve criminal investigations, long-term missing persons, or major incidents that result in a confirmed resolution by Clay County Sheriff's Office. "The Clay County Sheriff's Office has been partners with SaferWatch for over 4 years now. We have over 50,000 SaferWatch users in our community and have already seen several success stories come from it. We couldn't be more grateful to help kick off this rewards program," Clay County Sheriff, Michelle Cook said. "If you see something, say something. This is another avenue to help encourage our community to submit valuable information. One tip can make all the difference." Key details of the program include: Rewards of up to $5,000 per case are available for tips submitted through the SaferWatch platform that results in an arrest or advance a long-term investigation. Tips must be original, credible, and submitted by individuals who are not victims or participants in the incident. The Clay County Sheriff's Office determines the reward amounts based on the case and outcome. "This initiative highlights how technology, community engagement and public safety agencies can come together to create a safer world," said Geno Roefaro, CEO of SaferWatch. "We're honored to support and partner with the Clay County Sheriff's Office in launching this impactful program." To submit a tip, simply download the SaferWatch app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or visit About SaferWatchSaferWatch is a leading public safety platform that empowers individuals, schools, businesses, and law enforcement agencies to communicate, respond, and protect more effectively. Through real-time tip reporting, emergency alerts, panic buttons, and advanced integrations with 911 centers and security systems, SaferWatch helps create safer communities across the country. Learn more at About the Clay County Sheriff's OfficeThe Clay County Sheriff's Office is committed to serving and protecting the residents of Clay County, Florida. With a strong focus on community policing, transparency, and innovation, CCSO works to maintain a safe and secure environment through proactive law enforcement and collaborative partnerships. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SaferWatch Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
