Orlando, Fla. — Sand dunes eroded by recent storms are being replenished with the help of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Work Crew.
Before the pandemic started, the Florida Department of Transportation scheduled 90 dump trucks of sand to replace parts of the beach that had washed away.
FDOT typically utilizes the Tomoka Corrections inmate work crews, however, they remain on a precautionary lockdown.
A jail deputy is supervising the group so there is no additional cost to taxpayers, according to a news release.
“We have a great partnership with Flagler Beach and Bunnell Police Departments and as soon as Chief Doughney asked for assistance, it was approved,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “When I started the Inmate Work Crew it was with tasks just like this in mind. The Inmate Work Crew has previously assisted residents filling sand bags for approaching hurricanes and work five-days a week keeping various parks and county facilities in shape.”
Sand dunes are important to protecting inland areas from severe storms. They absorb the impact and act as a barrier to wind and waves.