DEP Secretary Sheds Light on Law Enforcement Torch Run with ‘Flame of Hope’

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole today led a group of law enforcement professionals to the State Capitol in honor of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida. The event is held each year as a forerunner to the Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games.

“Carrying the Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ to the Capital City ceremony today was a great honor,” said Secretary Sole. “I was proud to be surrounded by such a dedicated group of law enforcement professionals, including DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, for such a wonderful event.”

The intrastate torch relay passed through Tallahassee on its way to the opening ceremonies of Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games in Lake Buena Vista. Joined by DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry Barnet and staff, as well as law enforcement representatives from federal, state, county, and municipal agencies, Secretary Sole carried the torch through Tallahassee and passed it to a Special Olympics Florida athlete at the State Capitol ceremony.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a 1,500 mile relay across the state of Florida with more than 300 law enforcement agencies participating. The 2010 relay began in late March 2010 and will conclude at the opening ceremonies of Special Olympics Florida on May 14, 2010.

DEP is the state’s primary environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. DEP enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution and promotes pollution prevention, regulates solid waste management and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. For more information about the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, visit www.dep.state.fl.us.

DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental resource law enforcement, as well as providing law enforcement services to Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Division personnel from the three operational bureaus patrol state lands; investigate environmental resource crimes; and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that threaten the environment.

To report an environmental crime, wireless customers can dial #DEP. Callers can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (877) 2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries should be directed to DEP district offices during normal business hours. For more information about DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/law.