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Jail Chief Tells Workers To Save Energy

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2008

TAMPA - Col. Jim Previtera, the new head of Hillsborough County's jails, ordered his staffers Wednesday to immediately conserve energy on the job.

In a departmental order sent to detention department personnel, he said he wants staff to cut down on water, electricity and fossil fuel use.

He told The Tampa Tribune that he hopes his order will save thousands of dollars.

Among Previtera's orders Wednesday:

Deputies in jail pod areas can decide when lights should be turned on and off. They will have the discretion of determining if ambient lighting is sufficient instead of using electricity.

When areas such as storage rooms, closets and offices aren't in use, their lights should be turned off.

Copiers and computers should be off when offices aren't in use.

Deputies should closely monitor washers and dryers for inmates, making sure loads are maximized.

"In no circumstance should these measures or the goal of conservation be interpreted to supersede the need to maintain a safe environment for staff, inmates, or the public who visit our facilities," he wrote.

Previtera also asked his staff to come up with other suggestions for how to reduce energy use.

He wrote that his orders are an initial step.

"Continued increases in the costs for utilities may dictate that additional and more aggressive conservation practices be put in place," he wrote. "Staff members should realize the importance of conservation and take an active role in achieving the goal of reduced consumption."

Previtera, a former Secret Service agent, was promoted Sept. 30 to the rank of colonel, replacing recently retired Col. David Parrish as commander of the detention department of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. He joined the sheriff's office in 2005 and served as head of the training division, supervising all training and the recruitment and screening bureau.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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