Captain Jeff Calise has been assigned to take over District 4 for the Sheriff’s Department. Previous District 4 Captain Martin Bechtel is now assigned to District 6.
Captain Calise stated: “One of my goals is to reduce response time to 911 calls,” as he sat with me for an interview Thursday, January 24, 2008.
“I will also emphasize the importance of preparing for the hurricane season each year well before ‘worry time’ on November 1. I’m particularly concerned with a large community like Kings Point, where there are a great many older and handicapped residents that need attention and care. We want to make plans to have adequate water and food available to them in a hurricane emergency. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities will also receive our attention to make sure they will be taken care of in hurricanes. We will be working with the department that handles emergency preparedness to attempt to insure the safety and well-being of all residents. That’s providing our headquarters here on Congress Avenue doesn’t get hit,” he added wryly.
Captain Jeff Calise, age 46, was born in Providence, R. I. He moved to Florida in 1981 after earning an associate degree in marketing at Rhode Island Junior College. He graduated F.A.U. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1985 and entered Palm Beach Community College Police Academy January 6, 1986. Graduating from the academy he became a Sheriff’s Deputy and underwent three months of field training. He worked patrol in District 4 from 1996 to 1990. Next came a promotion to The Tactical Unit as a detective, assigned to the Dignitary Protection Team, working out of Gun Club Road headquarters in West Palm.
Promoted to Sergeant in 1993, he was assigned back to Delray, District 4. In 1997 he rejoined the Tactical Unit as the Supervisor. He earned the rank of Lieutenant in 2001 and served as Watch Commander throughout the County. In 2003 he was named Executive Officer of the Training Unit until 2005 when he became Headquarters Executive officer at Gun Club Rd. until November 1, 2007, at which time he was promoted to Captain of District 4.
District 4 encompasses the area from the L 30 Canal south of Flavor Pict Road to Clint Moore; West as far as you can go into the Everglades and East to the unincorporated areas near the ocean, an area approximately 43 square miles.
Captain Calise is married and has four sons. He enjoys outdoor activities such as boating, strong physical training and grappling with his boys.
“Our duty is to keep the communities safe, but citizens have to help themselves,” said Calise. Doors and windows closed and locked on cars and homes. Put your alarm on when leaving home. There are bad people out there. Be alert. Report any suspicious activities. I would rather have you be safe than sorry. If you have a gut feeling that something isn’t right when you see a man sitting in a car, or walking in your community, call 911. Let us check it out.” We want to have a safe environment for the residents of District 4.”
In the near future Captain Calise will be forming a Citizen’s Advisory committee to obtain input from residents throughout District 4.
You can meet Captain Calise the first Wednesday of each month from September through June when he provides a brief crime report to the audience at every Alliance of Delray meeting at the South County Civic Center. The public is welcome. The next meeting of the Alliance is February 6. Doors open at 9 A.M.
Captain Calise favors speaking to directly and openly. “If I have a problem I gather all the facts, positive and negative, and work with all concerned until it’s solved.