Sanibel Police Department receives outpouring of support from island community, elsewhere
The Sanibel Police Department received a handful of surprises from the community Monday, Nov. 28, all of which shared a common theme – their outpouring support for their island police department.
Police Chief James Phillips said six middle aged school children – Lilly, Kate, and Max Doster, Finn and Susanna Howell and Julia Lemmon – within the Farm Trail neighborhood had a lemonade stand over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend for a few hours. The stand generated a little more than $300, which was donated to Officer Jarred Ciccone.
On Nov. 20, just before 8 p.m. Ciccone was shot by a passing motorist, later confirmed as Jon Webster Hay, while completing a traffic citation. Hay made his first court appearance Tuesday, Nov. 22 and is facing a charge of attempted homicide (murder first degree premeditated) and is being held on a $2 million bond.
Phillips said they received a call from dispatch letting them know a group of children were there to see them. Once the call came through, he said he called City Manager Judie Zimomra to tell her an extraordinary group of kids had arrived at the police department.
“They created this scroll with all the thank yous on it. It’s absolutely perfect. It’s a wonderful sign,” he said while unraveling the long handmade work of art the youngsters made. “It’s just a good group of kids. They have all known Jarred through the school and have seen him out and about. It’s just wonderful to see this.”
Phillips said for years many of the officers have coached at The Sanibel School.
“We try to stay very involved in the community and with the kids at the school. We have a great SRO program up there as well. We like to say whenever you call, we come,” he said.
Right before the children and their parents stopped by City Hall three women, Laurel Rosen, Jeanne Hamilton and Pat Santucci also made a stop at the police department. The women spearheaded a drive that obtained 1,065 signatures that were presented in a binder “Sanibel Blue, We Support You.”
When the group of women arrived, Phillips said he was “elated.”
Within the binder, before the signatures it read “We want the Sanibel Police Force to know how much they are appreciated. They are always there when we need them. We, as a community, appreciate their professionalism and support. When you see a policeman today, thank them for their valuable service.”
“They got those signatures in a matter of five days,” Phillips said. “That kind of outpouring is good for the health of the department and the city, I think, with all that is going on in the world today.”
The sign, and signatures will be delivered to the officers involved in the shooting, which also included Officer Christopher Dowaliby and Chad Maik, Phillips said to let them know they are appreciated.
All of the outpouring was a complete surprise Monday.
Ciccone continues to convalesce, and all three of the officers remain in good spirits.
“We talk to them daily,” he said. “I think everyone is on the mend.”
In response to inquiries of how the community could provide assistance following the shooting, the designated fund, the City of Sanibel Employee Assistance Fund, was brought to the islanders attention. Zimomra said she has received many out-of-state phone calls, as well as from locals of those who wanted to contribute to the fund.
“I think the mayor said it well the other day. I think this city is very proud of their police department and it’s also a very generous community historically,” she said.
Those who would like to contribute to the fund can make a donation to the City of Sanibel Employee Assistance Fund to F.I.S.H., 2430- B Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Checks should be made to F.I.S.H. of SanCap with “Officer Ciccone benefit” in the memo line. Individuals can also call F.I.S.H. at (239) 472-4775 and make a credit card donation.
Zimomra said the fund will help Ciccone with the out of pocket, uninsured, expenses above and beyond insurance.
“It’s a very extraordinary generous community. There is no other place like Sanibel and that is for sure,” Phillips said.