The History of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office- Ret. Lt. Penny Cooke, historian, archivist

Voters approved the creation of Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department in 1912, and they began chasing after a host of colorful criminals. Bootlegging, moon shining, and gambling were daily occurrences and jail escapes were not uncommon. Newspapers reported that inmates sawed their way through the iron bars with tools smuggled in from the outside, so they had to chase them down again! Hear how the Department has employed new methods to face the evolving challenges over the past century. PLUS, ENJOY A SPECIAL TREAT! Delicious cookies, compliments of Claudia’s Heaven Flan and Cakes in Clearwater.