The Osceola County Sheriff's Office now offers a program to help teens become safer drivers. The Teen Driver Challenge consists of two training days totaling twelve hours. The first day includes a four-hour block of instruction in the classroom while the second day is an eight-hour block on the driving range.

For more detailed information on the Teen Driver Challenge, click here.

The Basic Citizens Academy is a program offered to the citizens of Osceola County with special priority given to Neighborhood Watch members. This successful program meets three hours per night once a week for 9 weeks. The classes acquaint the recruits with all aspects of law enforcement training as well as orienting them to the various divisions and functions within the Sheriff’s Office. The Academy also includes a firearm safety portion with a trip to the range for a hands on experience. The academy culminates with a graduation banquet.

Businesses are often targets of armed robberies, thefts, credit fraud and scams. A Business Watch Program provides a network for businesses in the community to share vital information about criminal activity that might target their business. Crime Prevention Officers offer free training seminars for owners, managers, and employees on awareness, prevention and personal safety issues.

Please contact the Community Services Division at 407-348-1190 to inquire on any of our services.

• Know The Routines
Be alert as you go about your daily business. This will help you learn the normal routines of your neighborhood, community, and workplace. Understanding these routines will help you spot anything out of place.

• Recognize Potential Targets
- Government Buildings
- Political Leaders
- Financial Districts
- Tourist Attractions
- Monuments/Landmarks
- Power Supplies
- Water Plants
- Stadiums/Arenas
- Public Transportation
- Bridges
- Phone Systems
- Mail delivery Services
- Hospitals
- Ports

• Make a list of all important contacts and phone numbers.

• List family contacts with phone number.

• Make a neighborhood directory. Identify neighbors with special needs.

• Make your house easy to find. Use large numbers on house and curb.

• Make sure your external doors have deadbolt locks.

• 3 to 5 day water supply based on one gallon per person per day. Fill a bathtub with water.

• Stock a supply of non-spoiling food that requires no cooking.

• Remember utensils such as a sharp knife, can opener and eating utensils.

• Priority items are battery powered lights and radio. Keep extra batteries and safety matches.

• Remember personal items such as medicines, toiletries, and garbage bags.

• If possible, stock a large cooler with ice.

• Obtain a portable emergency generator if possible.

Carefully evaluate your personal needs and situations in determining how best to prepare your emergency kit.

• Know the evacuation plan and exits of any building where you live,work or seek entertainment.

• Plan a meeting place (ahead) if your family becomes separated.

• Learn how to shut off utilities in your home, such as gas, electric and water.

• Make plans for your pets. Most shelters will not accept them.

• Teach your children to stay in touch with you. Have a plan.

• Make sure children know how to contact you and another designated family member.

• Make sure your children know their home address and complete phone number.

• Designate a "safe house" in your neighborhood where children can go in an emergency.

• Explain 9-1-1 to your children and teach them the appropriate use of the system.

• Teach your children the importance of safe communities and schools by reporting any suspicious activity.

Be Alert

Spot suspicious packages, luggage or mail abandoned in a crowded place like an office building, airport, school or shopping center.

Listen

If you hear or know of someone who has bragged, talked about, plans to commit acts of violence, or claims membership in a terrorist organization, notify law enforcement immediately.

Information you can provide:

• Give your name and address.

• Tell what occurred.

• Tell where it occurred.

• Tell when it occurred.

• Describe vehicle by license number, make and color.

• Describe person(s) by race, height, weight and clothing.

• Provide direction of travel.

• Remain on the phone with communications officer until all necessary information has been received.

• DO NOT try to intervene or confront the individuals in the situation.

AND REMEMBER...

The chance of you or your family becoming a victim of terrorism remains very small. Let common sense guide you and your family, not fear.

Trust your instincts.

All threats should be taken seriously!

Be Prepared

Take steps to plan ahead for emergencies to protect yourself and your family.

Opening Mail

Be suspicious of mail if:

• it is unexpected from someone you don’t know.

• it is handwritten with no return address.

• wires or unusual contents are protruding from package.

• there are excessive amounts of tape or postage.

• it is lopsided or lumpy in appearance.

DO NOT HANDLE IT!

Call Law Enforcement Immediately!

The camp provides an intensive 1-week session for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years old who have been identified as "at risk" of becoming delinquent. The program aims to build trust, self-esteem and teamwork, train in areas of first-aid, CPR, water safety, canoeing, and self improvement; and provide career assessment and the chance to perform community service. Contact your School Resource Officer to get more information on attending the Sheriff's Adventure Camp.

The goal of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post is to foster respect for law and order with the youth today. It is geared toward presenting to the youth an avenue of self-expression towards career interests. This program allows young men and woman, between the ages of 14 and 21, a first hand knowledge of the challenging and rewarding field of Law Enforcement. It helps develop maturity, responsibility, and compassion. It gives the youth of today an insight to the role of the law officer in today's society. They learn that our Constitution affords all citizens certain unalienable rights and should they continue to pursue their ambitions to the fullest, then some day they can proudly say "my job? why, it's TO PROTECT AND SERVE."

Click here to download the Explorer Application.