Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 8-23-19

Local
Sheriff Launches New Initiative To Help Veterans
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Sheriff Chad Chronister
launched a new initiative geared toward veterans who
County Jail. The program is designed to help those veter- ans obtain medical and VA services, mental health treatment, and education in order to prevent them from returning to jail once they are released.
Known as the Veterans Resurgence Program, it will be housed at the Falkenburg Jail on Falkenburg Road. It will provide them with guid- ance and resources to reduce and eventually eradicate re- cidivism.
Hillsborough County
Sheriff Chad Chronister
said, “We hope that this pro- gram will help our veterans get back on the right track in life. By housing them with other veterans like them- selves who may be experi- encing PTSD, or other affects from serving our country, we hope that they can learn from one another, heal and grow together."
He further said that on average, more than 3,000 people are housed at the jail, and approximately 60 of them are linked to the mili-
assessment, as well as group and individual therapy ses- sions.
They will also have an 8- week, structured group ther- apy session on: managing anger /stress, coping with mood/ anxiety issues, tran- sition skills and planning, medical related topics, heal- ing and recovering from trauma.
Outreach Specialists from the VA will assist with the
re-connection with benefits for those with an honorable discharge.
Community organiza- tions such as the Crisis Cen- ter of Tampa Bay will assist to help the veterans find their way back into society. “We are giving these veter- ans that ended up in our jails an opportunity to feel proud again. The partnerships we have established will give them the chance to reinvent themselves and get the help they need. This is how we thank them for their serv- ice,” Sheriff Chronister said.
Hillsborough
County
are in the
Hillsborough
CHAD CHRONISTER Hillsborough County Sheriff
tary.
Inmates who are verified
veterans that decide to par- ticipate in the Veterans Resurgence Program will be educated on pathways to change, including life skills, such as personal money management, finding em- ployment and conflict reso- lution, among other topics.
The veterans will also have a mental health and substance abuse risk/needs
Man Convicted In Road Rage Fatal Stabbing
Last week, the trial of a Tampa man, accused of a road rage fatal stabbing ended Friday. Originally charged with second-degree murder, the jury convicted Teddy Baltimore Smith of manslaughter with a weapon.
His sentencing date has been set for September 3, 2019.
According to police, Smith was stopped in his 2-d00r, BMW at a traffic light on Fowler Ave. The BMW was stopped on the passenger side of a pickup truck.
Sources said the passenger in the truck, identified as 56- year-old Gilbert Serna, al- legedly spat out the window and it landed on Smith’s arm. A confrontation between Smith and Serna took place.
Smith is alleged to have got
GILBERT SERNA
... died after being stabbed
out of his car and confronted Serna. As the confrontation continued, Smith allegedly stabbed Serna in the upper body and drove away.
Serna died as a result of
TEDDY BALTIMORE SMITH ... Charged with second-de- gree murder
his injuries.
Police located the BMW
in a parking lot early the day after the stabbing and im- pounded it. Smith was ar- rested later that night.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019