Volusia Beach Patrol fights back against sheriff bills that would dissolve force

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County Beach Safety Patrol is firing back at Sheriff Mike Chitwood after the division said he came down in support of bills that would grant him full power over the area it monitors. In a new release issued Saturday by the Volusia Waterman’s Association, which represents the Volusia Beach Safety Division, the group said if passed, the Florida House and Senate bills in question would put “thousands of lives at risk” and diminish “essential services.” SB 1588 and HB 1595 would give sheriff’s offices control over unincorporated areas and wouldn’t allow other police units to…