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I assumed it is an off duty deputy employed by a business there like they do at the Red Bar. I guess they're allowed to use county cars but not sure about having the lights on. Although they used lights at the 331 cafe and they were needed.

I assumed it is an off duty deputy employed by a business there like they do at the Red Bar. I guess they&#039;re allowed to use county cars but not sure about having the lights on. Although they used lights at the 331 cafe and they were needed.

30ABandMan

Beach Fanatic

I'm not sure why the vehicle is there but the deputies can use their patrol cars for off duty details.  This is a pretty normal practice at most sheriff offices in the area.  There is a nominal user fee paid back to the S.O. that comes out of their $25.00 an hour charge for working the detail but it is barely $2's an hour and would certainly not cover the extra fuel charge and maintinance.  
 
I hardly see how it is fair for the taxpayer to foot the bill for deputies using S.O. equipment to basically run their own private security enterprises.  I familiar with the arguement that "it is better to have a deputy working it in uniform" and all of the other things that can be said.  However,  many times those vehicles go for hours without being shut off, they are driven all over the county to the different details, many of the deputies live in the north end that work these details too.  
 
I think that there should be a better accounting of how the vehicles are used.  Many county employees have to pay an extra tax out of their salaries if they opt to take a non-essential vehicle.  It is considered a taxable fringe benefit.
 
While, I do like the deputies taking their home with them, I'm not completely sold on them using them to work off duty details.

I&#039;m not sure why the vehicle is there but the deputies can use their patrol cars for off duty details. This is a pretty normal practice at most sheriff offices in the area. There is a nominal user fee paid back to the S.O. that comes out of their $25.00 an hour charge for working the detail but it is barely $2&#039;s an hour and would certainly not cover the extra fuel charge and maintinance. 
 
I hardly see how it is fair for the taxpayer to foot the bill for deputies using S.O. equipment to basically run their own private security enterprises. I familiar with the arguement that &quot;it is better to have a deputy working it in uniform&quot; and all of the other things that can be said. However, many times those vehicles go for hours without being shut off, they are driven all over the county to the different details, many of the deputies live in the north end that work these details too. 
 
I think that there should be a better accounting of how the vehicles are used. Many county employees have to pay an extra tax out of their salaries if they opt to take a non-essential vehicle. It is considered a taxable fringe benefit. 
 
While, I do like the deputies taking their home with them, I&#039;m not completely sold on them using them to work off duty details.

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert

Basically my thought process was "that is one heck of an expensive road sign to make people slow down" when I rode my bike by in the afternoon.............

that evening I thought "that can't be good for the battery/vehicle"............ 

and several hours later I had progressed to "are my taxes paying for a unmanned vehicle to sit there and get wear and tear because people are too dumb to park in the empty lot next door instead of on the shoulder?"

Basically my thought process was &quot;that is one heck of an expensive road sign to make people slow down&quot; when I rode my bike by in the afternoon............. 
 
that evening I thought &quot;that can&#039;t be good for the battery/vehicle&quot;............ 
 
and several hours later I had progressed to &quot;are my taxes paying for a unmanned vehicle to sit there and get wear and tear because people are too dumb to park in the empty lot next door instead of on the shoulder?&quot;

Clarification please - I thought that businesses paid the Sheriff's Department so they could have uniformed/marked cars and trained law enforcement personnel as security.

Instead you are telling me that employees are running a side business and paying a ridonkulously low fee to use taxpayer funded resources for a private enterprise?

Clarification please - I thought that businesses paid the Sheriff&#039;s Department so they could have uniformed/marked cars and trained law enforcement personnel as security. 
 
Instead you are telling me that employees are running a side business and paying a ridonkulously low fee to use taxpayer funded resources for a private enterprise?

Matt J

SWGB

I have no problem with business's using off duty Sheriff's Deputies to slow traffic down.  As long as the vehicle is off and they are simply running the battery down.  Even drunks will slow down and pay attention with those blinding strobe lights going.  Of course the average person would also conclude that a low priced strobe light with blue gels would do the same trick.

I have no problem with business&#039;s using off duty Sheriff&#039;s Deputies to slow traffic down.  As long as the vehicle is off and they are simply running the battery down.  Even drunks will slow down and pay attention with those blinding strobe lights going.  Of course the average person would also conclude that a low priced strobe light with blue gels would do the same trick.

[quote="scooterbug44, post: 420979"]Clarification please - I thought that businesses paid the Sheriff's Department so they could have uniformed/marked cars and trained law enforcement personnel as security.
 
Instead you are telling me that employees are running a side business and paying a ridonkulously low fee to use taxpayer funded resources for a private enterprise?[/quote]
 
The deputies work the details, they are not paid by the s.o. at the time. The usual contracted price is $25.00 an hour, normally paid in cash at the end of the shift by whoever is sponsoring the event.  Out of this, the deputy is to forward a portion of that to the s.o. for the use of the vehicle. I have heard it is as little as $1.25 an hour. 
 
So, basically, the deputies use their patrol vehicles and uniforms to work as private security. It is done everywhere you look though, everytime you pass road construction there are FHP sitting there. If you go to a bar, a festival, a wedding, anywhere with large groups, you'll see deputies. Remember before we got the light 395, the deputies sat there all night? Yep, $25.00 an hour paid by the state.
 
Again, I don't have a problem with them working the extra details and earning more money. I do have a problem with them using taxpayer resources to do it though. They should have a trackable fee that is paid back into the county funds to cover the use of their vehicle. Or, like other employees, they should have to park it at the s.o. and drive their pov unless they pay taxes on it.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="scooterbug44">Clarification please - I thought that businesses paid the Sheriff&#039;s Department so they could have uniformed/marked cars and trained law enforcement personnel as security. 
 
Instead you are telling me that employees are running a side business and paying a ridonkulously low fee to use taxpayer funded resources for a private enterprise?</blockquote> 
The deputies work the details, they are not paid by the s.o. at the time. The usual contracted price is $25.00 an hour, normally paid in cash at the end of the shift by whoever is sponsoring the event. Out of this, the deputy is to forward a portion of that to the s.o. for the use of the vehicle. I have heard it is as little as $1.25 an hour. 
 
So, basically, the deputies use their patrol vehicles and uniforms to work as private security. It is done everywhere you look though, everytime you pass road construction there are FHP sitting there. If you go to a bar, a festival, a wedding, anywhere with large groups, you&#039;ll see deputies. Remember before we got the light 395, the deputies sat there all night? Yep, $25.00 an hour paid by the state. 
 
Again, I don&#039;t have a problem with them working the extra details and earning more money. I do have a problem with them using taxpayer resources to do it though. They should have a trackable fee that is paid back into the county funds to cover the use of their vehicle. Or, like other employees, they should have to park it at the s.o. and drive their pov unless they pay taxes on it.

My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details.
 
Little know Florida fact:  Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic.  The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority.

My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details. 
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority.

[quote="sowalgayboi, post: 421517"]My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details.
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority.[/quote]
 
It has been my experience (Communications Supervisor at Okaloosa for nearly 8 years) that they are working off duty details.  While they will leave that post in an emergency, they will not usually respond like a normal trooper would.  They will also return to the detail when relieved by an on duty Trooper.  Same goes for the off duty P.D. and Deputies...if they make an arrest while on a special detial, an on duty unit will come to transport the subject if needed.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="sowalgayboi">My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details. 
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority.</blockquote> 
It has been my experience (Communications Supervisor at Okaloosa for nearly 8 years) that they are working off duty details. While they will leave that post in an emergency, they will not usually respond like a normal trooper would. They will also return to the detail when relieved by an on duty Trooper. Same goes for the off duty P.D. and Deputies...if they make an arrest while on a special detial, an on duty unit will come to transport the subject if needed.

enfuego

Beach Lover

My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details.

Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority.
__________________

Actually FHP is on duty on those details. Not sure about the Florida fact, those guys with the orange vest and swizzle sticks can't [U]enforce[/U] traffic but must be trained through FDOT managment of traffic (MOT) to operate in the roadway and direct traffic.

My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details. 
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority. 
__________________ 
 
Actually FHP is on duty on those details. Not sure about the Florida fact, those guys with the orange vest and swizzle sticks can&#039;t enforce traffic but must be trained through FDOT managment of traffic (MOT) to operate in the roadway and direct traffic.

I'm just going to thank both.  Seems like the FHP is on duty for the big stuff and especially at night.  I wouldn't think they need a trooper for line painting or something like that.

I&#039;m just going to thank both.  Seems like the FHP is on duty for the big stuff and especially at night.  I wouldn&#039;t think they need a trooper for line painting or something like that.

wrobert

[quote="enfuego, post: 421569"]My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details.
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority.
__________________
 
Actually FHP is on duty on those details. Not sure about the Florida fact, those guys with the orange vest and swizzle sticks can't [U]enforce[/U] traffic but must be trained through FDOT managment of traffic (MOT) to operate in the roadway and direct traffic.[/quote]
 
 
Why is it okay for me to ignore his swizel stop sign and not a regular stop sign?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="enfuego">My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details. 
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority. 
__________________ 
 
Actually FHP is on duty on those details. Not sure about the Florida fact, those guys with the orange vest and swizzle sticks can&#039;t enforce traffic but must be trained through FDOT managment of traffic (MOT) to operate in the roadway and direct traffic.</blockquote> 
 
Why is it okay for me to ignore his swizel stop sign and not a regular stop sign?

ShallowsNole

[quote="30ABandMan, post: 421422"]The deputies work the details, they are not paid by the s.o. at the time. The usual contracted price is $25.00 an hour, normally paid in cash at the end of the shift by whoever is sponsoring the event. Out of this, the deputy is to forward a portion of that to the s.o. for the use of the vehicle. I have heard it is as little as $1.25 an hour. 
 
So, basically, the deputies use their patrol vehicles and uniforms to work as private security. It is done everywhere you look though, everytime you pass road construction there are FHP sitting there. If you go to a bar, a festival, a wedding, anywhere with large groups, you'll see deputies. Remember before we got the light 395, the deputies sat there all night? Yep, $25.00 an hour paid by the state.
 
Again, I don't have a problem with them working the extra details and earning more money. I do have a problem with them using taxpayer resources to do it though. They should have a trackable fee that is paid back into the county funds to cover the use of their vehicle. Or, like other employees, they should have to park it at the s.o. and drive their pov unless they pay taxes on it.[/quote]
 
In many cases, the businesses and individuals that hire the deputies for details want not only the presence of the uniform, but also the presence of the vehicle.  And, the deputies do have to pay part of their earnings back to the SO for the use of the vehicle; it's not free as it once was.  I don't remember how much it is as it's been a while since Fuzz worked a detail.  BUT the details are arranged through the SO, not thru the officers directly, so they know who and which vehicle is where and how much to collect for the car.
 
Someone earlier said they were paid in cash.  I don't know where that info came from...some probably are, but all the ones Fuzz ever worked where paid by check, delivered to the SO for distribution,  And, come the following January, he got a 1099.  So, there is nothing under-the-table about it...

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="30ABandMan">The deputies work the details, they are not paid by the s.o. at the time. The usual contracted price is $25.00 an hour, normally paid in cash at the end of the shift by whoever is sponsoring the event. Out of this, the deputy is to forward a portion of that to the s.o. for the use of the vehicle. I have heard it is as little as $1.25 an hour. 
 
So, basically, the deputies use their patrol vehicles and uniforms to work as private security. It is done everywhere you look though, everytime you pass road construction there are FHP sitting there. If you go to a bar, a festival, a wedding, anywhere with large groups, you&#039;ll see deputies. Remember before we got the light 395, the deputies sat there all night? Yep, $25.00 an hour paid by the state. 
 
Again, I don&#039;t have a problem with them working the extra details and earning more money. I do have a problem with them using taxpayer resources to do it though. They should have a trackable fee that is paid back into the county funds to cover the use of their vehicle. Or, like other employees, they should have to park it at the s.o. and drive their pov unless they pay taxes on it.</blockquote> 
In many cases, the businesses and individuals that hire the deputies for details want not only the presence of the uniform, but also the presence of the vehicle. And, the deputies do have to pay part of their earnings back to the SO for the use of the vehicle; it&#039;s not free as it once was. I don&#039;t remember how much it is as it&#039;s been a while since Fuzz worked a detail. BUT the details are arranged through the SO, not thru the officers directly, so they know who and which vehicle is where and how much to collect for the car. 
 
Someone earlier said they were paid in cash. I don&#039;t know where that info came from...some probably are, but all the ones Fuzz ever worked where paid by check, delivered to the SO for distribution, And, come the following January, he got a 1099. So, there is nothing under-the-table about it...

Smiling JOe

$25 per hour? We used to pay off duty cops $100 (cash) per hour and a free meal to work traffic, and that was ten years ago.

Beach Runner

beats on hood

In Hogansville, GA, there's a cop car always parked on U.S. 29. It's empty. But everyone slows down. It works. It's instinctual for me to slam on my brakes when I see it, even when I know it's always gonna be there.
 
Maybe Walton County should save some money on labor costs by parking empty, off-duty sheriffs' cars at random spots?:idontno:

In Hogansville, GA, there&#039;s a cop car always parked on U.S. 29. It&#039;s empty. But everyone slows down. It works. It&#039;s instinctual for me to slam on my brakes when I see it, even when I know it&#039;s always gonna be there. 
 
Maybe Walton County should save some money on labor costs by parking empty, off-duty sheriffs&#039; cars at random spots?:idontno:

[quote="Beach Runner, post: 421723"]In Hogansville, GA, there's a cop car always parked on U.S. 29. It's empty. But everyone slows down. It works. It's instinctual for me to slam on my brakes when I see it, even when I know it's always gonna be there.
 
Maybe Walton County should save some money on labor costs by parking empty, off-duty sheriffs' cars at random spots?:idontno:[/quote]
 
You don't take the back roads to get to sowal.  There's a very small town in Liberty County that has a cop car with a dummy (think manequin not our current sheriff) in it holding a radar gun.  That thing has gotten me everytime.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Beach Runner">In Hogansville, GA, there&#039;s a cop car always parked on U.S. 29. It&#039;s empty. But everyone slows down. It works. It&#039;s instinctual for me to slam on my brakes when I see it, even when I know it&#039;s always gonna be there. 
 
Maybe Walton County should save some money on labor costs by parking empty, off-duty sheriffs&#039; cars at random spots?:idontno:</blockquote> 
You don&#039;t take the back roads to get to sowal. There&#039;s a very small town in Liberty County that has a cop car with a dummy (think manequin not our current sheriff) in it holding a radar gun. That thing has gotten me everytime.

[quote="sowalgayboi, post: 421742"]You don't take the back roads to get to sowal.  There's a very small town in Liberty County that has a cop car with a dummy (think manequin not our current sheriff) in it holding a radar gun.  That thing has gotten me everytime.[/QUOTE]
:floor: That's really sneaky.
 
Actually I do take back roads. I mean, Samson, Alabama, is on my route.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="sowalgayboi">You don&#039;t take the back roads to get to sowal. There&#039;s a very small town in Liberty County that has a cop car with a dummy (think manequin not our current sheriff) in it holding a radar gun. That thing has gotten me everytime.</blockquote>:floor: That&#039;s really sneaky. 
 
Actually I do take back roads. I mean, Samson, Alabama, is on my route.

[quote="Beach Runner, post: 421768"]:floor: That's really sneaky.
 
Actually I do take back roads. I mean, Samson, Alabama, is on my route.[/quote]
 
 
Wanna have even more fun? Stand on the side of the road with a hair dryer.  Point it at cars as they pass by and act like your talking on a walkie talkie...they will slow down for that one too!:funn:
 
I just love me some high school pranks!!!

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Beach Runner">:floor: That&#039;s really sneaky. 
 
Actually I do take back roads. I mean, Samson, Alabama, is on my route.</blockquote> 
 
Wanna have even more fun? Stand on the side of the road with a hair dryer. Point it at cars as they pass by and act like your talking on a walkie talkie...they will slow down for that one too!:funn: 
 
I just love me some high school pranks!!!

[quote="ShallowsNole, post: 421701"]In many cases, the businesses and individuals that hire the deputies for details want not only the presence of the uniform, but also the presence of the vehicle. And, the deputies do have to pay part of their earnings back to the SO for the use of the vehicle; it's not free as it once was. I don't remember how much it is as it's been a while since Fuzz worked a detail. BUT the details are arranged through the SO, not thru the officers directly, so they know who and which vehicle is where and how much to collect for the car.
 
Someone earlier said they were paid in cash. I don't know where that info came from...some probably are, but all the ones Fuzz ever worked where paid by check, delivered to the SO for distribution, And, come the following January, he got a 1099. So, there is nothing under-the-table about it...[/quote]
 
Well, again, I only have a few contacts with the Walton S.O. but am very familliar with Okaloosa.  Currently, they don't charge a fee to the deputies as does Walton.  That being said, I have been to local events in the Seaside area and have seen my buddies paid in cash.  Not that it happens all of the time but it does happen.  
 
Again, I don't have a problem with the free enterprise of the whole thing and the are much better to use than private security firms.  I just think that there needs to be some accountability for the use of taxpayer owned vehicles.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="ShallowsNole">In many cases, the businesses and individuals that hire the deputies for details want not only the presence of the uniform, but also the presence of the vehicle. And, the deputies do have to pay part of their earnings back to the SO for the use of the vehicle; it&#039;s not free as it once was. I don&#039;t remember how much it is as it&#039;s been a while since Fuzz worked a detail. BUT the details are arranged through the SO, not thru the officers directly, so they know who and which vehicle is where and how much to collect for the car. 
 
Someone earlier said they were paid in cash. I don&#039;t know where that info came from...some probably are, but all the ones Fuzz ever worked where paid by check, delivered to the SO for distribution, And, come the following January, he got a 1099. So, there is nothing under-the-table about it...</blockquote> 
Well, again, I only have a few contacts with the Walton S.O. but am very familliar with Okaloosa. Currently, they don&#039;t charge a fee to the deputies as does Walton. That being said, I have been to local events in the Seaside area and have seen my buddies paid in cash. Not that it happens all of the time but it does happen. 
 
Again, I don&#039;t have a problem with the free enterprise of the whole thing and the are much better to use than private security firms. I just think that there needs to be some accountability for the use of taxpayer owned vehicles.

[quote="enfuego, post: 421569"]My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details.
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority.
__________________
 
Actually FHP is on duty on those details. Not sure about the Florida fact, those guys with the orange vest and swizzle sticks can't [U]enforce[/U] traffic but must be trained through FDOT managment of traffic (MOT) to operate in the roadway and direct traffic.[/quote]
 
You are correct.  Techinically, the Trooper and other officers are "on duty" because they call 10-8 or "in service" busy on that detail and they log off at the end of the detail.  However,  they are usually not the active unit for that zone at that particular time.  They will pull from the detail in an emergency but normally, the zone car will be dispatached without disturbing the detail unit.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="enfuego">My understanding is that the FHP is usually on duty when working construction details. 
 
Little know Florida fact: Only a law enforcement officer can direct traffic. The guy in the orange vest with the swizel stop sign pretty much has no authority. 
__________________ 
 
Actually FHP is on duty on those details. Not sure about the Florida fact, those guys with the orange vest and swizzle sticks can&#039;t enforce traffic but must be trained through FDOT managment of traffic (MOT) to operate in the roadway and direct traffic.</blockquote> 
You are correct. Techinically, the Trooper and other officers are &quot;on duty&quot; because they call 10-8 or &quot;in service&quot; busy on that detail and they log off at the end of the detail. However, they are usually not the active unit for that zone at that particular time. They will pull from the detail in an emergency but normally, the zone car will be dispatached without disturbing the detail unit.

What's up with the empty sheriff's car constantly sitting in front of Borago's/Lilypads/Monet with its lights on? :idontno:
 
If there is a safety issue, why isn't there an officer IN the car issuing tickets?
 
If it is just there to make people drive more slowly, why not move/reprogram the sign by the bridge (the one that warns us that the restriping will begin "soon" on May 20th) or put in one of the temporary speed limit signs that tells folks how much they are speeding?
 
And if it's there because there are constantly people parking on the grass shoulder and walking across the road, maybe a redirection/review of the parking spaces vs. seats in the nearby businesses would be a better long-term solution.

What&#039;s up with the empty sheriff&#039;s car constantly sitting in front of Borago&#039;s/Lilypads/Monet with its lights on? :idontno: 
 
If there is a safety issue, why isn&#039;t there an officer IN the car issuing tickets? 
 
If it is just there to make people drive more slowly, why not move/reprogram the sign by the bridge (the one that warns us that the restriping will begin &quot;soon&quot; on May 20th) or put in one of the temporary speed limit signs that tells folks how much they are speeding? 
 
And if it&#039;s there because there are constantly people parking on the grass shoulder and walking across the road, maybe a redirection/review of the parking spaces vs. seats in the nearby businesses would be a better long-term solution.

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Cop car as road sign

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Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton