WCSO Training

The targets might be paper, metal and wood and they do not shoot back, but with fellow officers and media watching, it can make you nervous. Targets, fixtures to shoot around and live ammunition training are part of an ongoing course for Walton Sheriff’s deputies. The office has deputies training how to use objects they might find on the scene as cover and how to shoot from a variety of positions.

The sheriff’s office built a firearm training facility many call one of the best in the area. The facility allows for multiple configurations, including fixed and moving targets, lights for nighttime training, a rifle target area and a walk through shoot house. The course also has things like a fire hydrant, post and mailbox to help deputies learn how to use things they might find on the street as cover.

The current training is more than just paper target qualifying. The officer must first shoot from behind a wall, leaning out just enough to acquire a target. Next the officer goes prone on the ground, a few feet behind a fire hydrant and rolls to the right then left and must hit a circular target. The officer then moves to another ground position, this time behind a wood platform designed to act like a street curb. He or she must crawl forward and stretch around just enough to acquire the target and shoot. The officer then moves to a position behind a street corner mailbox and again must lean to the right then left and hit targets. Last, the officer takes a standing position several feet behind a pole designed with the width of a utility pole. The officer must use one hand  and lean enough to acquire the target and shoot.

Sgt. Andy Casavant says the idea is to give deputies more training than the basic FDLE qualifying. The activity teaches the deputy how to shoot from different positions and how to use cover. Casavant says they first used empty guns and had a video camera set up. This way the deputies could see how they might have parts exposed with the camera giving a view of how the bad guy might see them.

Scams, Snatchings, Break-ins… Bad Guys Need Cash Too!

With many having concerns about the economy and facing increased costs in food and fuel, money becomes tight. This applies, not only to regular citizens, but the criminals also need more money.

DeFuniak Springs City Marshall Mike Adkinson confirms there was a case of a purse snatching, and home theft. Adkinson also says his department is working with a local bank about a phone scam.

Apparently someone is calling and saying they are with a bank and gives the person they call a number to call about the person’s account. This is a scam. Banks do not need your personal information. If you have an account, they already have the information. A bank or credit card company will not call you and ask for personal information such as account numbers, personal identification numbers, family information and other private facts. If you call a bank, credit card company or business, they might ask for information, but only when you initiate the call. Police advise you not to give out your information over the phone, through the computer, to a person who knocks on the door or by responding to a mail solicitation unless you know the person and made the first contact.

There have been at least two robberies where the front door was broken open and firearms and cash were looked for. These possibly happened in the day. Police advise you to make sure your home is secure. Additional dead bolt locks, sliding door locks and other measures can help prevent a break-in. At one residence, the owner told First News there were dogs and this kept the criminal from gaining access. If you question your home or business’s security, contact your local law enforcement for a safety check.

Adkinson says they have a suspect in the purse snatching. Sometimes the criminal is a local individual, sometimes someone who comes off the interstate. While shopping, remember to always keep your purse with you. It is easy for a criminal to simply walk up and take a purse or wallet left in a cart, when you turn away to look at meat or a shelf product. The thief then walks down an isle, often opening the purse and taking any cash or cards, pockets them and walks out the store.