In the photo above from Left to Right: Pat McNeese HC Planning, Bindu and Steve Eriksson (plaza owners), Lil Smith of Papa Clyde’s, Donald Wagner Owner of Papa Clyde’s Ice Cream, Ginger Latinka Habitat for Humanity Assistant Manager, Chad Shaver Habitat for Humanity Manager, Lynn Van Meter Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Sheriff Nienhuis, Beatrice Hernando Sun-Shine Kid
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the opening of their new Kass Circle substation on Friday July 17th. The owners of the plaza, Steve and Bindu Eriksson donated the space to the Sheriff’s Office because the area had been experiencing some problems with security. “We had been trying to get somebody in here for a long time but didn’t know who to contact… We live in Seminole county. They reasoned, “We’ll donate the space that way everyone has a sense of security.”
Donald Wagner, owner of Papa Clyde’s Ice Cream shop in the plaza, explained that there was panhandling issues, but those have since cleared up. As soon as the sheriff sign went up, the issues started to dissipate added Lil Smith of Papa Clyde’s Ice Cream. Wagner has owned the shop for 25 of it’s 30 years in business. He has also helped out with improving security at the plaza with the placement of security cameras all around his shop, which the police often utilize. “We do depend on private individuals for security footage on a fairly regular basis,” Sheriff Nienhuis stated.
The plaza may be seeing some other improvements as Patricia McNeese from the county is working on getting renovations to the particularly narrow entrance to the plaza which often floods. The Kass to Kass Sidewalk was just finished in June and connects the two Kass Circle intersections. The Kass Circle clean-up in May collected 3,220 pounds of trash and debris- 920 pounds more than last year.
Sheriff Nienhuis stated, “This idea was born out of the redevelopment of this area…We’re not just here for crime per se, but we’re here for prevention issues… it’s important for us to show we are committed to solving these problems not just reacting.” He explained that they used inmate labor for remodeling the space, which gave the inmates something they could be proud of in the end. He said really the only costs were paint and technology. The facility will be staffed with volunteers. He foresees a deputy being able to take a victim or witness to a crime to the facility in order to take statements in a more comfortable situation, rather than having to do this at the crime scene or side of the road. Deputies won’t be assigned here because the Sheriff prefers them to be out in the community, but if a deputy needs to use the facility for any reason, they will be able to use it.
Lieutenant Jeff Kraft, in command of district 2 which is basically all of Spring Hill will be responsible for the Kass Circle substation. The Sheriff explained that for any residents or business owners, he is your point person.
A wooded property in the vicinity had been a gathering place for homeless and transients. The lot was partially cleared by the property owners, which resulted in some of the homeless moving out of the area. Additionally, the sheriff’s office identified a recent Sunoco robbery as being committed by a transient and apprehended that individual. Lt. Kraft explained that if a homeless camp shows up in an area, they will not try to disband it since they will just move to another area. If they are abiding by the law, then they can’t do much about it. It is up to the property owner to have the final decision.
The substation will be manned a few hours a day by the volunteers, who will be able to distribute information and address questions community members may have. The Sheriff noted that a blue box may be installed for after hours, so that people who are in need of assistance can call in.
