Daily Outtakes: Simmons cracks down on crime

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons has been busy. Between coordinating major drug operations that have taken dangerous weapons and narcotics off the streets, expanding the department’s technological capabilities, and celebrating the graduation of young women from the Blazer Academy, Sheriff Simmons exemplifies modern policing’s dual focus on enforcement and community building.

Taking Down High-Level Drug Operations

In recent weeks, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed coordinated search warrants that resulted in significant seizures of drugs, weapons, and cash from two houses in the county. What made these operations particularly noteworthy wasn’t just the quantity of contraband recovered, but the level of danger involved.

Background: On May 23, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, SWAT Team and Field Force Unit conducted search warrants on the 2400 block of North F Street and the 10400 block of Tanton Road. The searches resulted in the seizure of approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, 851.5 grams of cocaine, 626 grams of marijuana, 178 grams of psilocybin, 0.5 grams of methamphetamine, 9 firearms, $820, and a GMC Yukon.

• “These are various serious weapons,” Sheriff Simmons explained during a recent podcast interview. The firearms seized included fully automatic weapons, such as an Uzi and a nine-millimeter pistol with a full-auto switch. The presence of such dangerous weaponry necessitated the use of SWAT teams and the department’s Field Force Unit to execute the warrants safely.

The success of these operations reflects a strategic shift in the department’s approach to narcotics enforcement since 2020. Sheriff Simmons has nearly doubled the number of investigators dedicated to drug crimes, focusing specifically on targeting not just street-level dealers, but the mid-level and upper-level distributors who bring drugs into the community.

• “We wanted to show this commitment to reducing the gun violence and reducing the drugs that we have in our community,” Simmons noted.

Technology Expanding Countywide

The sheriff’s office continues to expand its real-time crime center capabilities, with camera installations progressing in key areas throughout Escambia County. The Montclair camera project, which has been in development for over a year, is nearing completion after overcoming the logistical challenges of securing access permissions, power connections, and network connectivity.

“These things don’t happen overnight,” Sheriff Simmons acknowledged, but the persistence is paying off. The department has successfully completed camera installations along the Pensacola Beach boardwalk and is now exploring phase two options that could include Casino Beach.

Honoring the Fallen

The May 15 ceremony for the new Memorial Plaza honoring fallen deputies marked an emotional milestone for the department and the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The memorial, funded entirely through private donations without using tax dollars, features 15 deputies and two canines on a wall, creating a focal point at the sheriff’s office.

• “To look at the faces of the families of the fallen deputies that they have this new grand venue, this focal point at the sheriff’s office to honor their family members,” Sheriff Simmons reflected on the memorial’s impact during the dedication ceremony.

Empowering the Next Generation

The latest Blazer Academy graduation showcased the program’s success in building confidence and leadership skills among young people. This session focused on young women, and the results highlighted interesting differences in how male and female participants engage with the program.

While the young men’s academies often struggle to find volunteers willing to give the traditional graduation toast, the young women’s session had six participants try out for just two speaking spots. The contrast shows the program’s ability to meet participants where they are while helping them develop crucial communication and confidence skills.

• “It is to take someone and put them out of their comfort zone a little bit, have them talk to people, have them talk to peers, have them speak up,” Sheriff Simmons explained about the academy’s mission.

Community Engagement Continues

Despite the summer heat, the sheriff’s office maintains its commitment to community engagement through various programs. While movie nights will be postponed until cooler fall weather, “Coffee with a Cop” events continue to provide informal opportunities for residents to interact with law enforcement officers. The next “Coffee with a Cop” event will be at 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday, June 20, at Bagelheads, 10015 N. Davis Hwy.

These engagement platforms serve a dual purpose: they allow community members to discuss concerns or issues directly with deputies while also providing positive interactions that help build trust and understanding between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Balancing Act of Modern Policing

Sheriff Simmons’ approach illustrates the balancing act required in modern law enforcement. Aggressive enforcement operations targeting dangerous criminals must coexist with community engagement initiatives that build trust and prevent crime through positive relationships.

• The coordination with federal agencies like the DEA and ATF provides resources for tackling larger criminal organizations, while programs like the Blazer Academy invest in preventing young people from entering the criminal justice system.

Photo by Alphacolor on Unsplash