Counting 'em Down: For better or for worse, this is the Headline Surfer countdown of the 2021's Top 100 biggest news stories of Central Florida along the tourism-driven stretch of Interstate 4 (Orlando Attractions and east to I-95 & the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona). Each recap segment is posted with its own headline, culminating with the unveiling of No. 1 on New Year's Day or shortly thereafter. Then Headline Surfer will post a Top 10 forecast story of the good, the bad & the ugly on the horizon in "2022: The Year That Lies Ahead."
Photos for Headline Surfer / Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety’s new red dot sights are separate attachments mounted to the top of the slide of the handgun that have a lens that uses a red LED light to locate the target. (It is not a laser - only the officer can see th red dot). The existing iron sights remain on the handguns in case the red dot is not there due to breakage or the battery.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. – The Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety upgraded its department handguns by adding red dot optical sights -- becoming the first law enforcement agency in Volusia County to adopt the technology for both handguns and rifles for an entire agency.
The Trijicon modular optic system was added to the department’s Glock 45 handguns during the week of Nov. 23.
Nearly all 35 Public Safety officers have already received training on their new red dot optical sights and completed qualification, said Detective Daniel Carrazana, one of four certified firearms instructors with the department.
Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety’s rifles have had optical sights for some time.
“Our goal is to increase the accuracy of our officers,” Daytona Beach Shores Capt. Michael Fowler said.
“With handgun-mounted optics, officers can keep both eyes open when aiming their weapon, which increases situational awareness and allows officers to better focus on the assailant," Fowler explained. "You are literally putting a dot on the target.”
Upgrading to optical sights has been cost-prohibitive for most law enforcement agencies, and many limit their use to rifles. But now there is a trend in law enforcement to add optical sights to handguns, as well, as another way to improve safety during officer-involved shootings, said Detective Carrazana.
The Daytona Beach Shores Community Foundation, a private foundation led by former Mayor Harry Jennings that raises funding for special projects and charitable/educational purposes, provided $14,413 toward the $21,000 cost.
Public Safety’s new red dot sights are separate attachments mounted to the top of the slide of the handgun that have a lens that uses a red LED light to locate the target. (It is not a laser.) The existing iron sights remain on the handguns in case the red dot is not there due to breakage or the battery.
“We conduct firearms training twice a year and qualify annually, and our officers are trained to use both types of sights,” Carrazana said.
Added Public Safety Director Stephan Dembinsky: “You never know when an emergency situation will occur, and our goal is to be as well-prepared and trained as we can be. We appreciate the support of the Daytona Beach Shores Community Foundation that allowed us to upgrade to this technology. We believe it will help us better protect the public while keeping our officers safe.”
Added Public Safety Director Stephan Dembinsky: “You never know when an emergency situation will occur, and our goal is to be as well-prepared and trained as we can be. We appreciate the support of the Daytona Beach Shores Community Foundation that allowed us to upgrade to this technology. We believe it will help us better protect the public while keeping our officers safe.”
Providing top-of-the-line safety equipment can also be a recruitment tool, Capt. Fowler added, pointing out Daytona Beach Shores’ Public Safety model combines police and fire/rescue services with cross-training for all officers.
Plus, this public safety concept better serves residents and visitors through faster response times and cost savings, too, Fowler said.
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.