Lunch with the Chief

By Coastal Breeze News Staff

Police Chief Al Schettino, wearing a black band across his shield, brought sobering statistics to the Marco Island Police Foundation’s “Lunch with the Chief” attendees on the number of police shot and killed in the line of duty. He recently attended a memorial service and candlelight vigil in honor of fallen law enforcement officers with the Naples Police Department and the Collier County Sheriffs Department. In March alone, there were 16 killed across the country. Since the beginning of 2016, 37 have been killed by gunfire, two in

Florida. All law enforcement officers in Collier County who made the ultimate sacrifice were honored at the event, which coincides with National Law Enforcement Memorial Week. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website an officer dies every 61 hours.

However, the featured speaker of the luncheon, Mark Tesoro, MA, an injury prevention educator, also brought sobering information from Step Smart Collier, a fall prevention program. Falls are the leading cause of death and injury for seniors.

In fact:

1 of 3 seniors fall each year

20% of seniors who fall are hospitalized with

moderate to serious injuries

11% never return home

50% of those hospitalized pass away within one year

60% of falls happen in the senior’s home

Average fall death rate in Florida is 9%, Collier County is 14% – 55% higher than the statewide average

Last year, Collier County EMS responded to 4,300 emergency calls for falls. There are steps you can take to help prevent falls, including a room-by-room checklist for common hazards and a machine to test balance.

For more information, check out the Senior Safety Fair on June 16^th at the South Regional Library, 1-4 PM, or contact Mark at 239-343-3672.