Proposal would let Walton code enforcer make arrests

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — When code enforcement officers run across illegal dumping in Walton County — even when it rises to a criminal level — the most they can do is issue cease-and-desist orders and alert the state for possible prosecution.

By then, it may be too late.

“If (the violators) don’t quit mining or logging, they could do a lot of damage in 48 or 72 hours,” Sheriff Mike Adkinson said. “By the time it’s handled six months later, the damage is already done.”

So the Sheriff’s Office has developed a proposal to create an Environmental Enforcement Unit to help ensure residents adhere to county and state environmental laws.

County Commission Chairwoman Sara Comander said the board has given conceptual approval to the proposal. On Tuesday, commissioners requested a memorandum of understanding for the scope of the program, so “I’m going to clearly lay out what we’re going to be involved in … . It should be a nice partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the commissioners,” Adkinson said.

Although details still must be hammered out, the main purpose of the unit is to investigate crimes that threaten the environment, such as illegal dumping of debris, pollution of waterways, arson, theft and other damage to coastal and rural natural resources. The unit could also make arrests when appropriate.

The Environmental Enforcement Unit will work closely with code enforcement officers, who enforce rules and regulations in the county’s unincorporated areas.

Under the proposal, one officer would be transferred from code enforcement to the Sheriff’s Office and deputized, then go through training with the Department of Environmental Protection. That person then would investigate environmental crimes and serve as a liaison with the county’s code enforcement board, the DEP, the Tourist Development Council, conservancy groups and property owners.

The unit “may be expanded at some later time depending on caseload and agency needs,” according to the proposal.

In addition, the deputy would provide public- and industry-outreach programs, serve as a central clearinghouse for criminal complaints and provide a higher level of response to residents who have been victims of such crimes.

Adkinson said the unit will better streamline the process to identify, investigate and prosecute environmental crimes, and will bring the county in line with similar programs in most other counties. Walton County’s program will be modeled after a similar effort in Okaloosa County.