Search For Tracy Ocasio, Ocoee, FL

Friday, June 19, 2009

SEARCH FOR TRACY OCASIO AND CHRIS GEORGE WILL BE SUSPENDED AFTER SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009

Tim Miller, Founder and Director of Texas EquuSearch announced today that the search for Tracy Ocasio and Chris George will be suspended after Saturday. If after further investigation into these cases Law Enforcement requests assistance for further searching, TES members will be ready to respond. The Ocasio family has been kept up to date on the plan to suspend the search.

The intense heat has taken a toll on those giving their time to search. Many have returned day after day to participate in this effort. Texas EquuSearch is always concerned about the safety of those on the ground.  To continue at this time under the extreme conditions would be difficult, thus the decision was made to wait for further instructions from Law Enforcement.

Since the search began, almost 2000 acres have been searched by Texas EquuSearch members and volunteeers without yielding an answer to the whereabouts of Tracy and Chris.

Registration on Saturday will begin at 8:00 a.m. There will be only one Command Center on Saturday. It is located at John Vignetti Park, 1906 Adair Street in Ocoee. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid photo ID. Horse owners will need to present a current Coggins test at registration. Texas EquuSearch is requesting foot searchers, ATVs and horses for the Saturday search.

Donations to help defray the cost of the search can be made at the Command Center or by going to the Texas EquuSearch website www.texasequusearch.org. All donations are tax deductible as Texas EquuSearch is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Map to the Command Center:

View Larger Map

Thursday, June 18, 2009 – Search for Tracy Ocasio and Chris George Continues Through the Weekend

Tim Miller, Founder and Director of Texas EquuSearch announced on Thursday that the Search for Tracy Ocasio and Chris George will continue through Sunday.

As of Thursday, over 1550 acres have been searched.  Many areas remain to be searched. There is an urgent need from the community for help with this effort.

There will continue to be two Command Centers.  One is located at John Vignetti Park, 1906 Adair Street in Ocoee.  The other is located at Ocoee-Apopka Road and Binion.  The registration area is behind the Herman Engelmann Greenhouse Inc., 3252 Ocoee-Apopka Road.

Registration begins on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. at both Command Centers. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid photo ID.

Monetary donations are especially needed to continue this search.  Those donations can be made at the Command Center or by going to the Texas EquuSearch website www.texasequusearch.org.  Texas EquuSearch is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 – NEW INFORMATION REGARDING SEARCH FOR TRACY OCASIO JUNE 17, 2009

Texas Equusearch is now working with both the Ocoee and Apopka Police Departments to locate Tracy Ocasio and Chris George.  The search area has been expanded.

Beginning on Thursday, June 18th, volunteers can register at a Command Center located at Ocoee Apopka Road and Binion or at the Command Center located at John Vignetti Park at 1906 Adair Street in Ocoee.

As of Wednesday, over 1300 acres have been searched.  Today’s announcement regarding working with the Apopka Police Dept. has added considerable more amount of search areas.  The search will continue through the weekend.

Volunteers are urgently needed.  Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday at both locations. Every volunteer must be at least 18 years old and have a valid photo ID.

Texas EquuSearch is in bad need of monetary donations as the expenses relating to this lengthy search are quickly mounting.  Texas EquuSearch is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible.  Money can be donated at the Command Center or by going to the Texas EquuSearch website at www.texasequusearch.org.

Bottled water, snacks, lunches and office supplies are also needed and can be brought to the Command Center.

Volunteers are urged to come prepared to be self sufficient while searching to include bringing water and food if possible.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – Tim Miller, Director and Founder of Texas EquuSearch has announced that the search for Tracy Ocasio will continue. Mr. Miller plans to dispatch volunteers beginning at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday. About 1000 acres have been searched and there are many more targeted areas to be covered.  Help from the community is essential to complete this task.

The Command Center is located at John Vignetti Park, 1906 Adair Road, Ocoee, FL.  The Texas EquuSearch website, www.texasequusearch.org is being updated daily and includes a map to the Command Center.

Mr. Miller is putting out an URGENT plea for volunteers.  The Command Center staff is prepared for as many volunteers as can respond.  Volunteers will be dispatched to specific areas with experienced Team Leaders.  There is a need for foot searchers, ATV’s and horses.  Horse owners must present a current Coggins test at registration.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and will need a valid photo ID and should come prepared with sturdy shoes, long sleeves and a hat.  Sunscreen and insect repellent are also helpful. Volunteers should bring water and food for themselves if possible.

Volunteers can report to the Command Center throughout the day. However, due to the heat and humidity, 2PM will be the latest time that teams will be dispatched.

Donations of money, bottled water, snacks, and office supplies are still needed. Donations can be brought to the Command Center any time after 8:00 a.m. Monetary donations can be made at the Command Center or by going to the Texas EquuSearch website at www.texasequusearch.org.  All donations are tax deductible and donors will be provided the proper receipt.

Texas EquuSearch and the Ocasio family thank the community and the media for their help with this effort.  We ask your assistance to encourage the community to volunteer their help.

Map to the Command Center
View Larger Map
Monday, 06/15/09 – Texas EquuSearch will continue the search for Tracy Ocasio on Tuesday, June 16th.

Texas EquuSearch would like to thank the volunteers, Law Enforcement, the Mayor and City officials from Ocoee, and the media for their help and support.  We are hopeful with continued community support, Tracy can be found.

Donations of money, bottled water, Gatorade, food for volunteer lunches, and non perishable snacks are needed for this effort. Gift cards for office supply stores would be especially helpful as we are in need of printer ink (HP 27 and 28) and general office supplies.  Donations can be brought to the Command Center anytime after 8AM.  Monetary donations can be made at the Command Center or by going to the Texas EquuSearch website at https://texasequusearch.org.   All donations are tax deductible and the proper receipt will be provided.

As of Monday afternoon, over 700 acres have been searched.  About 60 volunteers participated on Monday.  The focus has been on the area between the Florida Taproom and where Tracy’s vehicle was found.  Texas EquuSearch met with Law Enforcement on Monday morning to discuss the status of the search and possible other search areas.

There is an URGENT need for foot searchers, ATVs, and horses for Tuesday’s search. Horse owners will need to present a current Coggins test at registration.  All volunteers must be at least 18 and present a valid photo ID.  Volunteers should wear long sleeves, sturdy shoes and a hat.
Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.

The Command Center is located at John Vignetti Park, 1906 Adair St., Ocoee, FL.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and volunteers may come throughout the day.  The last teams are expected to be deployed about 2:00 p.m. daily.

Sunday, 06/14/09– Texas EquuSearch will continue its search for Tracy Ocasio on Monday, June 15th.  Volunteers are needed for this effort.

Foot searchers, horses and ATVs are needed for the search effort. Horse owners should present a current Coggins test at registration.  The Command Center is fully staffed so there are no volunteers needed for those positions.

Registration of volunteers will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Command Center.  The Command Center is located at John Vignetti Park, 1906 Adair Street, Ocoee, FL.

All volunteers must be at least 18 years old. There are no exceptions regarding the age policy.  Each volunteer needs to have a valid photo ID.

Teams will be dispatched with Team Leaders throughout the day. Volunteers with a few hours to spare are encouraged to assist with this search.

Volunteers are encouraged to come prepared with food and water.  It is recommended that long sleeves, sturdy shoes and a hat be worn.  Insect repellent and sunscreen are also suggested.

We suggest that those with health problems not participate in this search due to the terrain and very hot weather. Texas EquuSearch is always concerned about the safety of volunteers.

Items needed for the search include, bottled water, drinks such as Gatorade, non-perishable snacks, pens, staplers, copy paper and general office supplies. Donations can be brought to the Command Center anytime after 8:00 a.m.

06/13/09 – Texas EquuSearch is requesting help from the public in the search for Tracy Ocasio beginning Sunday morning, June 14th.

We are requesting foot searchers, horses and ATVs.  All horses must have a current Coggins test.  The Command Center is fully staffed so no volunteers are requested for those positions. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older and have a valid photo ID.  No exceptions will be made regarding the age requirement.

Volunteers should be self-sufficient to include bringing their own water and food.  They are requested to wear long sleeves, boots and hats.  They should bring bug spray and sunscreen.

Volunteers are asked to report no later than 8:00 a.m. to the Command Center, which is located at John Vignetti Park, 1906 Adair Street, Ocoee, FL.

06/12/09 –Tim Miller, Director of Texas EquuSearch, is scheduled to arrive in Orlando late this afternoon to meet with law enforcement regarding Tracy Ocasio.  Texas EquuSearch is planning to conduct a search on Saturday and Sunday.  No details are available at this time for the search.