Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
It was a foggy New Year's Eve when Riverbend News was invited to do a ride-along with Jennings Police Department (JPD) Officer Shawn Raggins, a veteran law enforcement officer serving in multiple agencies throughout Florida. The day's assignment was to ensure that travelers were maintaining safe speeds on Interstate 75, that the Town of Jennings was safe, and that there were no issues that could arise during the ride-along. Raggins spoke more about his career in service as the cars drove along Interstate 75. "I began my law enforcement career in 1995 with the Marianna Police Department," Raggins said. "I served there until it was time to move on." Raggins, who grew up in St. Augustine, moved to Lake City shortly after leaving the Marianna Police Department and began working for the Lake City Police Department (LCPD). There, he rose through the rank of sergeant and was awarded numerous accolades, including the Chief's Award in 2005. After his service with the LCPD ended in 2009, he worked in ministry and was also a charter bus driver. Raggins continued his career in law enforcement, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs. After a few years, he came to the JPD, where he has been since. "It's an honor and privilege to serve the community here," Raggins said. "I've gotten to know many people in this community, and they appreciate the service that Chief Reginald Akins and I provide to them." As Raggins continued patrolling Interstate 75, the fog proved challenging while conducting speed checks with his radar gun. Then, he saw a semi-truck merging in the left lane and causing a dangerous situation with a motorist. In the State of Florida, traveling in the left lane with a semi-truck on a three-lane highway is illegal. Raggins pulled the truck over, checked the driver's records and ensured he had no warrants. Afterward, he generated a citation for the driver and saw him on his way. "He was apologetic," Raggins said. "However, he knew that operating in the left lane is illegal, and he could have caused an unsafe situation with the vehicle beside him." He also noted that the overpass specifically stated that no trucks are to be in the left lane. After a drive through Jennings, a report was called in about a stolen credit card being used at the Sunstop after the card being used was flagged. When Raggins arrived at the store, a distraught woman was arguing with the cashier and was visibly upset that she had called the police. The cashier attempted to explain to both the woman and Raggins that the card was flagged when the woman tried to make a purchase and kept putting in the wrong pin. She explained she was then requested to hold the card and contact law enforcement. "It was clear that the woman's card was hers," Raggins said. "But we have to make sure that everything is good before we can let her go." Raggins called the bank where the card was issued while Chief Akins explained the process and attempted to calm the woman down. After the bank was able to verify that the card was hers, the woman left without saying a word while her children were apologetic to the officers. After that, the patrol continued on Interstate 75. This time, the fog was lifted, and Raggins was able to conduct several traffic stops utilizing the radar gun to identify speeders. One driver was clocked going over 90 miles per hour. Raggins noted that around the holidays, drivers are trying to get home, but some choose to drive recklessly and in a hurry. "We would rather they be safe versus them leaving Florida seriously hurt or worse," he said. Jennings, a town with a population of 749 people, tends to be mostly quiet. Raggins noted that calls for service in serious situations involving domestic violence, assaults, robberies and homicides are low. "Though the crime rate is significantly low in Jennings, most of the more serious crimes tend to happen during the evening times after we are off-duty," Raggins said, noting the limited hours the agency is open due to the town only having two sworn officers. "The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office will usually respond to those calls." The JPD is preparing to hire a third officer who will oversee the evening hours, ensuring that overnight calls for service can be handled efficiently. The agency is currently working on a third patrol car and acquiring the needed equipment so the officer on duty will be able to work with all the necessary tools to patrol Jennings safely. In the meantime, the town is in good hands with Chief Akins and Officer Raggins, as they oversee the safety and security of the town. The locals have taken warmly to the two officers, both being military Veterans with extensive careers in law enforcement. And at town council meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, they offer an opportunity to meet with them as they oversee the safety of the meeting. "We want everyone to be happy with the services we provide," Raggins said. "We are here to protect the community and be part of it."