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HCSO Reaches Out To Migrants

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

RUSKIN - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office wants the area's migrant population to feel comfortable reporting crimes to the authorities.

"We have a lot of migrant workers who collect their paychecks on a Friday and are immediately attacked and robbed," said Deputy Efrain Taveras. "A lot of them are afraid to come forward because of their citizenship status and the fear of being deported, but that makes it more difficult for us to stop those crimes."

In an effort to encourage more cooperation from the county's Spanish-speaking population, the sheriff's office will host its third Migrant Outreach Project March 14 at the District 4 office in Ruskin.

Mark Haggett, principal of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association academy in Wimauma, agrees the reluctance of migrant workers to approach law enforcement is an issue.

"It's absolutely a concern," Haggett said. Many migrants, he said, think that "whenever the authorities are around, immigration people aren't far behind."

This is the third year for the outreach event. Similar programs were held in 2005 and 2006.

"We feel that we were able to break down some of the barriers and bridge some of the gaps between the sheriff's office and the Hispanic community," Maj. John Marsicano, commander of the District 4 office, said of the previous two outreach projects.

The Migrant Outreach program was established in 2005 by Maj. Jerry York, former commander of the District 4 office.

"It's a challenging event to put on, but it's important for us to reach out to the community," Taveras said.

Taveras said the event drew about 1,500 people in 2006, but he expects a considerably higher number this time around.

"Before, the event was more targeted at people in south Hillsborough County, but this year, we're really pushing to involve the entire county," Taveras said. "I think it's going to be double what we had last time."

This year's edition will feature free bags of food, personal hygiene items and baby supplies as long as supplies last. Visitors also will be able to get free haircuts.

Several health and social service agencies in the area will have tables set up to assist the migrant workers in attendance.

There also will be free food donated by the Lakeland-based Cahill Ministries and music courtesy of Mariachi Juvenil, Mariachi International and other performers.

"We try to give back to the community every chance we get, and we feel like this program is a great way to get everyone involved and open communication both ways," Taveras said.

IF YOU GO

THE THIRD MIGRANT OUTREACH PROJECT

WHERE: The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office District IV office, 508 33rd St. S.E., Ruskin

WHEN: March 14, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COST: Free

INFORMATION: Call Sgt. Susan Bradford or Deputy Efrain Taveras at (813) 247-0455.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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