Tom Hanson: Crime in Bonita? Take a ride with a deputy

Nikki Sherren sat on a bench late Friday night on the corner of Crockett Street and Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. She had a newly lit Marlboro red in one hand and fountain soda from the nearby Circle K in the other. Dressed in a pair of skimpy white shorts and a matching white T-shirt, it was easy to spot her. Was Sherren looking for more?

Sex? Money in exchange for sex? Drugs? Drugs in exchange for sex? All of the above?

Deputy John Kinsey of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office knew why Sherren sat on the street corner. As part of the community policing initiative, Kinsey is among the contracted deputies paid by the city to keep an extra eye on the city.

At a recent Bonita Springs City Council meeting, residents aired their concerns about crime — particularly, prostitution and drugs — and the homeless problem in the downtown area.

To see the problems, I put on a bulletproof vest, signed away my life and rode along for the night shift with Kinsey. If anyone doubts crime is prevalent in the Old 41 area, you only needed to hear the first call.

“Man said he was robbed by two Hispanic men as he walked down the street,” a voice from the radio in Kinsey’s car squawked. “The victim said they took $50 and then pushed him in a river.”

The river where the man took an unwanted bath is the Imperial River, right where city leaders want to start downtown redevelopment. The same redevelopment plan that will help eliminate crime in this area.

“That’s an everyday occurrence in this part of town,” Kinsey said.

Kinsey doesn’t have to look far or hard for crime. As he cruised through the Rosemary area, Kinsey spotted 18-year-old William Lang. Kinsey asked Lang, “What’s up?” and “Do you have any drugs on you?”

Lang replied, “No, you can check.”

Before Kinsey could answer, Lang quickly changed his mind and said, “Yes, a little bit.”

In addition to a small amount of marijuana in a pocket of Lang’s jeans, Kinsey found a detailed map and a list of ranking gang members. Lang’s map was titled “Battle Plan” and it showed spots for lookout cars. Lang, an Estero High School dropout, wept at the thought of going to jail for a second time.

The community police’s presence doesn’t always get the same results or reaction.

Sherren, the woman sitting on the corner of Crockett, laughed. She didn’t get arrested.

Kinsey knew Sherren all too well. Sherren’s rap sheet — drug possession, prostitution and loitering — filled a computer screen in Kinsey’s patrol car.

“So I haven’t seen you in a while? Looks like you gained a little weight,” Kinsey said to Sherren, who is 37 but looks much older.

“Yeah, I’ve been in jail,” said Sherren as she cracked a toothless smile. “I gained about 30 pounds there.”

“So do you have any drugs on you?” Kinsey asked.

“I wish,” Sherren replied. “If I had some, I wouldn’t be sitting here.”

After a brief chat, Sherren moved down to Dean Street and sat on another bench. After seeing that Kinsey would foil any chance for her to score, she left into the darkness.

She called it a night.

- - -

Tom Hanson’s e-mail address is: tahanson@bonitanews.com