Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Special Operations Division
Support Services Bureau
-Information Technology

Cities/Communities that will require the Emergency Access Permit:
Belleair Beach
Belleair Shore
Clearwater
Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Shores
Madeira Beach
North Redington Beach
Redington Beach
Redington Shores
St. Pete Beach
Tierra Verde
Treasure Island

What:
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, along with various city officials, has unveiled the new Barrier Island Re-Entry Program. The program was established in an effort to prevent looting and burglary after a large scale mandatory evacuation and to keep trespassers from easy access to property.

The program requires residents of the barrier islands to obtain a free Sheriff’s Office Emergency Access Permit to re-enter an evacuated area.

When:
Registration for the program is effective immediately via the participating cities/communities.

Where:
The news conference was held at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located a 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Eleven cities and the Tierra Verde community will require the Emergency Access Permits.

There are a total of nine entry points to the barrier islands.

Why/How:
In an effort to prevent looting and burglary and to keep residential and business properties as safe as possible following a large scale mandatory evacuation, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has created the Barrier Island Re-Entry Program.

The Barrier Island Re-Entry Program is a partnership between the listed cities and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office which seeks to provide free Emergency Access Permits to all businesses and residents of the barrier islands. Once evacuation orders are lifted, Emergency Access Permits will be required to re-enter an evacuated area. There are nine points of entry into the barrier islands. After an evacuation, access will be limited based on the closest active entry point to your residence or business; or as directed by law enforcement.

Effective immediately, home and business owners are asked to contact their local government to obtain their free permit. Proof of ownership must be provided to obtain permits and registration must be done in person. A total of two permits will be issued per household; businesses may require additional permits and will be handled on a case by case basis by the issuing cities. Home and business owners are encouraged to provide their tenants with the permits for their use in the event of an emergency evacuation.

When an order is lifted, law enforcement posted at the various access points will scan the permit to verify permit validity prior to granting access; as well as to record entry and exit.

“I am pleased to announce the official launch of the Barrier Island Re-Entry Program and to set in motion, along with our partners, a plan that strives to the best of our ability, to protect the property of Pinellas County residents during an emergency situation,” said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri as he thanked the various municipalities for their participation in the joint effort.

For additional information regarding registration, residents are asked to contact their respective municipalities; or to visit www.pcsoweb.com.

The Sheriff's press conference can be viewed on our YouTube page here: http://youtu.be/C0-FGekEwog