MC Finance Committee member, Frank Merenda, won election to the Board of Directors Monday Night. Homeowners also returned Kathy Sharpless and Ken Gentile to new terms on the Board.

By Nina Lafleur

Prior to the Marsh Creek Annual Meeting and board election, Sheriff Robert Hardwick was our guest speaker and he provided some very riveting information about crime statistics within our county and within Marsh Creek specifically. 

Crime and Speeding

As for bringing law enforcement in the neighborhood to address speeding, another community (actually his own St. Augustine Beach neighborhood), tried this.  After a month of law enforcement surveillance, the HOA asked the Sheriff “call off the dogs” and end it. Turns out the the biggest offenders were residents themselves.  

When one questioner asked the Sheriff if stop signs will “calm our traffic” and whether abiding by stop signs will affect climate change, Hardwick dug up Sheriff Department data showing that the TOP 911 call from Marsh Creek is  . . .  wrong number …. followed by appeals for medical help and then, automated alerts from malfunctioning home alarm systems.

To summarize, Sheriff Hardwick he stated that, we do not have a problem here. Marsh Creek is a hidden gem, he said, and offered the gentle counsel to just get along and be respectful of each other. 

As for that rash of burglaries about 10 years ago?  The chief culprit: unlocked houses and unlocked cars.  The Sheriff advised the community to just be careful and vigilant. 

Do We Need Speed Bumps or to Improve Our Road Signs?

The former St. Augustine Beach Police Chief reminded us that Marsh Creek was developed in the 80s and its road system has not changed since.  He suggested “it couldn’t hurt to befriend a retired FDOT employee” to provide an assessment and recommend potential improvements to our roads and signage. He warned, however, that his experience has shown that speed bumps or additional stop signs just cause drivers to speed up between stops. 

Sheriff Department Trivia

Sheriff Hardwick reeled off lots of interesting statistics during his address. Here are a few that I noted:

The Sheriff’s office currently has 950 employees.  Law enforcement folks from other jurisdictions WANT to work in St. Johns County due to the positive work environment.

There are currently 453 people in jail.  Hardwick personally walks the jail once a week and talks with the inmates. 

Since he became Sheriff, the recidivism rate has decreased from 26% to 17%.

Hardwick fully embraces all modern technology – cameras, plate readers, and drones along with access to various retail camera systems.  If you come onto this island to commit a crime, he said, you will be identified because all incoming and exiting vehicles have their license plates recorded. He recommends that Marsh Creek obtain its own plate reader.  Currently 27,000 cars per day drive on A1A.  All plates are recorded but if we have our own reader, it would be quicker to find something if we are looking for it and we would own our own data.    

The Sheriff’s office is in the process of implementing body cams.  Because technology is advancing so rapidly, Hardwick said the equipment is being leased rather than purchased to ensure the County always has the most cutting edge technology.

St Johns County has the 2^nd largest equestrian force, behind Marian County (Ocala).
Partnerships with various federal agencies provide access to valuable resources and, therefore, are being developed and utilized.

Bottom line – St. Johns County is very unique and Marsh Creek is a hidden secret.

As for the Annual Meeting, I only stayed for the election results – Ken Gentile, Frank Merenda and Kathy Sharpless.  Congratulations!