Sheriff’s Annual Report Covers Jail, Animal Shelter, Sales

CREST HAVEN – Cats, dogs, inmates, warrants, court visits and county park tours were all included in Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer’s annual report for 2014 to freeholders Feb. 10.
While some may not equate the county animal shelter and adoption center with the sheriff’s office, it falls under his direction. There were 735 new cats and 466 new dogs received during the year. There were 616 cats and 230 dogs released from the shelter, including 54 cats and 223 dogs recovered by owners, 265 cats and 154 dogs adopted, 297 cats and 58 dogs transferred to another facility.
There were 49 cats and 18 dogs euthanized that were determined to be non-rehabilitable. There was a 10 percent overall increase intake in animals over the year. The euthanasia rate was 5.5 percent, deemed by Schaffer to be the best rate the shelter ever experienced.
The shelter gneerated $17,584 in adoptions, $2,030 for impound/reclaim and $5,287 for relinquish, $2,838 for spay and neuter, $690 for microchips and $300 for quarantine.
Correctional Aspect
The correctional center averaged 258 inmates daily in a facility designed for 181. That average is nearly 33 more than last year. There were 3,140 new commitments, which was 268 under the previous year.
There were 2,850 inmates released, 542 less than the prior year.
Video court for municipal cases remained about the same, and was down 19 inmates, 1,572 from 1,591 in 2013. There was a large decrease in video court for Superior Court, down 149, 252 from 401 in 2013.
There were 2,911 video visitations, 11 confidential visits and 1,963 reservations for onsite visits made via the Internet. Remote visits continued to grow by 4 percent.
Through the year there were 1,546 religious service/contacts, down from 526. Schaffer told the board inmates cannot be forced to attend such services.
In total there were 11,996 contacts and assists for inmates, down 3,010 from 2013.
Lifesaver Program
For those with Alzheimer’s disease, the department offers the Lifesaver Program. A small tracking device is warn that allows the person to be found by radio direction finding gear, should they wander from home.
Tip411 Messages
One of law enforcement’s greatest weapons against crime is citizens willing to inform on suspected illegal activity. Schaffer noted 487 such messages to the department which allowed persons wanted for various offenses to brought to court.
County Park
While most visitors to the Cape May County Park and Zoo have no interaction with Sheriff’s Department personnel, the report shows 2,070 verbal warnings of park offenses given. In addition, there were 1,001 park motor vehicle warnings issued. There were 7,936 zoo patrol tours, and 10,801 vehicle tours of the park; and 151,221 vehicles that entered the county park.
K-9 Unit
In total the seven dogs and one in training of the K-9 unit responded to 963 deployments. Canine training consumed 830 hours over 269 days. Dogs and officers were used 489 times for activities and directed patrols in Wildwood, North Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Lower and Middle townships.
Court Security
Serving the cause of justice, 3,213 inmates were transported and lodged for Superior Court appearances along with 464 commitments. Sixty eight juveniles were transported for Juvenile Court appearances. There were 248 drug court inmates handled making a total 3,526 for Superior Court.
A total of 31,966 security screenings were logged in Superior Court in November and December, Schaffer said.
Money Handled
The department had nearly $3.3 million in receipts. For sheriff’s sale notices, $282,655 was taken in fees. There were 94 wage executions, $381,668 in bail, and $37,944 in fines and non-support. There were 338 sheriff sales received and 180 sale notices with 153 sold properties.
Under Budget
Schaffer noted that for the sixth straight year, the department’s budget was under allotted amounts. That included $611,189 under for salaries and ages and $659,919 for other expenses and salary and wages.
The sheriff noted that the percentage of total overtime at 2.7 percent, was the lowest in the state, a fact noted by the state Department of Criminal Justice.