Return of the beat cop

[Jason]

Return of the beat cop


By MARCIA LANE  |   More by this reporter  |  marcia.lane@staugustine.com  |   Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2008 ; Updated: 8:26 AM on Thursday, March 20, 2008

The beat cop concept has returned to St. Augustine.

Officer Doug Tyus's new world will be from the city gates of St. George Street to the Plaza de la Constitution.

"We'll have a presence in the area, but he'll also be educating people," said St. Augustine Police Chief Loran Lueders of Tyus's role.

That education, Lueders said, is an effort to solve some of the problems that merchants and residents say are caused by an increased number of homeless and panhandlers in the area.

"The education will be on both sides the merchants and the homeless," Lueders said.

Merchants have complained about people sitting in front of their businesses or on park benches, scaring people and driving away customers.

It's not illegal for them to sit, Lueders said.

On the other hand, panhandling isn't allowed in the downtown, and people trying it can be arrested. When there are complaints about panhandling, Tyus will be on the scene, and those who have been approached can sign a complaint.

"It's a very delicate line to walk," Lueders said.

Bike patrol officers who cover much of downtown are frequently called in about the homeless sitting around. They tell the merchants it's not illegal and head for their next call. That's left merchants irritated and believing police aren't doing their job.

Tyus will be carrying the same message, but he'll have the time to explain the law to merchants. The merchants will see him on a daily basis and get to know him and he'll get to know them. That, believes Lueders, will help relieve some of the discontent.

"Mainly he'll be educating the people and the merchants who work downtown there, and he'll do a really good job policing the problems," Lueders said.

The St. Augustine City Commission approved the new position as a way of addressing those concerns. They're using money raised from new downtown parking meters to pay for the position.

"I was looking for someone familiar with the area, a people person. But someone with enough experience dealing in law enforcement to address the uniqueness of the area," Lueders said.

He found that officer in Tyus, who at 56 has spent 33 years in law enforcement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He's also spent 12 years teaching firearms part time at the police academy.

Tyus's last assignment was with the derelict vessel investigation program, and that meant he worked closely with St. Augustine police.

After years in the woods and on salt water, Tyus was ready for a change. When he half jokingly asked if the police had an opening, he found out about the new job.

Tyus, a Marianna native, moved to St. Augustine in 1975.

"It was quite a small town. It was a smaller, more laid-back county," Tyus said.

Living here has made him familiar with the area and people.

He's been surprised by the attention the new job has brought.

"Don't worry. In a week or so the media spotlight will be off," Lueders told him.

Tyus realizes the new job will be different from what he's done in the past.

"If (the merchants) call, they've got a problem. With Fish and Wildlife, you were more proactive. It was usually the person's day off, and they were recreating," Tyus said.

If you pulled up next to a boat, most people didn't get upset, he said, noting it all depended on how the officer handled the situation.

It's that experience that Lueders believes will make Tyus a success on his new beat.

"There are so many variables, so many more ways to skin a cat," Lueders said. "(Doug) knows that, and he's got the experience the younger men don't."

Tyus has started walking his new beat.

"I'll be there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. That's when most of the shops are open," he said, already picking up on the routine of his new constituency.

Just like any good beat cop.

[Jason]

If St. Augustine can make use of police on the beat then I'm sure Jacksonville can too.

[Steve]

Has Jacksonville heard of the "Beat Cop" model?

[Jason]

There were beat cops back in the day....  60's and earlier?