Student Crime Stoppers

Make your school safer!   SEE Something, SAY Something!

Anonymously report any threatening behavior that endangers you, your friends, your family, your campus, or your community by:

- Calling the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers Hotline at 850-863-TIPS (8477);
-Visiting www.EmeraldCoastCrimeStoppers.com;
- Downloading the FortifyFL app at https://getfortifyfl.com; or
- Emailing the Walton County School District's Safe School Department at safeschools@walton.k12.fl.us.

*** Tips are 100% anonymous. ***

Crime Stoppers has a youth program for students who wish to call the confidential hot line (850-863-TIPS) with an anonymous tip about criminal activity at their school or in their community.  Students who step forward with anonymous tips leading to disciplinary action or arrests will be eligible for cash awards of UP TO $500 through the program, based on an internally recognized model.  This is a way for students to report incidents to law enforcement without being targeted as the "tattle tail" or "snitch."

School and police officials agree that most students want to do the right thing to keep their schools and neighborhoods safe but sometimes fear reprisals.  The Student Crime Stoppers program offers the safety of complete anonymity while promoting responsibility and allowing students to take action against victimization and crime.

When to Call

• Maybe you overhear someone bragging about having committed a crime.

• Maybe you know someone who is driving a stolen car...or is hiding from the police...or is a robber or drug dealer.

• Or maybe you just see something that doesn't look right.  A strange car.  A person acting sneaky.  Someone with a gun or knife.

If you aren't sure that what you saw or heard is really a crime, call anyway.  Let the police decide if it's worth investigating.  It may be a piece of a clue to a big crime.

Walton County Sheriff's Office
752 Triple G Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL  32433
(850) 892-8111 Office

The mission of the Walton County Sheriff's Office is to provide our citizens and visitors the highest level of protection and services possible by providing professional law enforcement services to the community.  We will provide professional, competent, and responsive services to our citizens and visitors.

Tip Hotline
Anyone who has information on drugs, weapons, vandalism, etc., at Walton High School can call the WHS Hotline at 850-892-1270, ext. 4418, any time day or night.  All calls are anonymous and confidential.  You can also call the Walton County Crime Stoppers at 850-622-2057.

Parking Permits (Frequently Asked Questions):

Who can apply?
Any student who attends Walton High School that has a valid driver's license.

How much do they cost?
Each permit costs $15 per vehicle.

How can I get a parking permit?
Bring your current driver's license, proof of registration, current insurance card, and $15 to Ms. Thompson in student services.  Ms. Thompson will make a copy of your information, and you will be given your permit later that day.

Rules for Driving on Campus:
Driving to school in your personal vehicle is a privilege. In order to keep students and staff members safe, everyone must follow these simple rules.

• Park in your designated space.

• No speeding

• No spinning of tires (burning rubber, spinning out, etc.)

• No careless/reckless driving

• No leaving campus without permission

• Obey all traffic laws entering and leaving campus at all times.

Anyone caught in violation of these rules could lose their driving privileges at Walton High School.

Zero Tolerance:
Walton High School has a "Zero Tolerance" for drugs, weapons and alcohol. Anyone caught with these items on campus will be placed under arrest, referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice and recommended for expulsion.

Possession of Tobacco Products:
Possession of tobacco by a minor is illegal in the State of Florida and is prohibited by Walton High School.  Any student caught with a tobacco product will be referred to the principal's office and issued a civil citation by Sgt. Pitman or Deputy Whatmough.  Students that are 18 years old or older caught with tobacco on campus will still be referred to the principal's office.

Lieutenant Pitman is an eighteen year veteran of law enforcement. He began working in law enforcement right after graduating in 1994 from Walton High School. He is a 1995 graduate of the Florida Law Enforcement Academy at Okaloosa-Walton Community College. Lt Pitman started his law enforcement career with the DeFuniak Springs Police Department in 1995. He became a deputy for Walton County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 and is the current supervisor of the School Resource Deputy Program. Over the course of his career he has attended numerous continued education classes within his career field. Lt Pitman has experience in Patrol, Sheriff’s Drug Task Force, DUI Enforcement, Traffic Enforcement, Special Operations, Beach Patrol, Criminal Investigations and now School Resource. He has also supervised patrol shifts, criminal investigative units, and special operations units.

Lieutenant Pitman feels that he has been blessed with the opportunity to have several different jobs in law enforcement throughout his career. He believes these opportunities have helped him become a more, well-rounded, productive, law enforcement officer and has added value to our community, himself and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Lt Pitman believes in an open door policy and encourages students and parents to let him know how he can be of assistance to them.

chris.whatmough@walton.k12.fl.us