INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Red Light Cameras: Checking Around the State

Thought you might find this blog posting from the Tampa/Hillsborough market interesting reading. It appears red light cameras are on their way toward installation in the county just west of us.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Map for Mar 3 - Mar 9

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map – 03/03 to 03/09.

- Sergeant Terri Smith

The 2008 LPD Open House Set for March 15

The annual Lakeland Police Department Open House is scheduled for next Saturday, March 15, 2008, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the police station. The station's address is 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue. You can get a copy of the Open House poster here.

Here is a link to a promotional video by Sgt. Mike Spade, coordinator of our annual open house, that gives more information on this big event.

This year's theme will feature special displays on Internet child safety as well as the ever popular static displays of special operations equipment and tactical gear. Events and activities are planned for children, and tours of the police station will be conducted throughout the day.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the dangers our children face when they are on the Internet, as well as ways for you to protect your children from those dangers.

We invite everyone to stop by and visit your police station next Saturday!

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Looking for Wanted Person

<p><span face="Times New Roman"><strong><p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Lakeland Police are attempting to locate Christopher Lewis Davis, (W/M, DOB:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>6/8/78).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Davis currently has a <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=194,height=237,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/06/davis.jpg"><img title="Davis" height="244" alt="Davis" src="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/images/2008/03/06/davis.jpg" width="200" border="0" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> warrant for his arrest for Uttering a Forged Instrument, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, and Violation of Probation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><city w:st="on"></city><place w:st="on"></place></span></p> <p>Davis should be considered </p></strong><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">ARMED AND DANGEROUS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">If you come into contact with Davis, do not attempt to detain him, but instead contact the police.</span></strong></span></p> <p><span face="Times New Roman"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Sergeant Terri Smith</span></strong></span><strong></strong></p>

Weekly Crime Stats

Download tac_rpt_for_feb_25_thru_mar_2.pdf

Weekly Crime Map for Feb 25 - March 2

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map - 02/25 to 03/02.

- Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Host "Cops and Kids" Open House

<p><strong><p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><span face="Times New Roman">The Lakeland Police Department will be hosting an open house on March 15th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the community at the main station located at 219 North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland. This event is free to the public and drinks and refreshments will be served. </span></span></p></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><span face="Times New Roman">There will be tours of the police department, crime lab, emergency operations center, and communications. Activities for Children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Equipment displays and demonstrations by the SWAT Team, K-9 Team, Helicopter, Crime Scene, DUI Unit, Aviation and Hostage Negotiations Unit.</span></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><span face="Times New Roman">This is a great opportunity to enjoy yourself and learn more about your location police department.</span></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><span face="Times New Roman">Sergeant Terri Smith</span></span></strong><strong></strong></p>

Lakeland Police Schedule Pill Drop Off Day

<p>The Lakeland Police Department and the Drug Prevention Resource Center are sponsoring a <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1036,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/04/pills.jpg"><img title="Pills" height="129" alt="Pills" src="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/images/2008/03/04/pills.jpg" width="100" border="0" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=689,height=972,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/04/pills1.jpg"></a> &quot;Pill Drop Off Day&quot; for citizens that would like to discard pills they have accumulated in the back of their medicine cabinets or cupboards.&nbsp; It does not matter how many, what size, or what kind they are.&nbsp; The community is invited to drop them off at The Lakeland Police Department, 219 North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland on March 22, 2008, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.</p> <p>This event has been designed to bring about awareness.&nbsp; Accidental prescription drug overdose is reportedly on the rise.&nbsp; Storing excess pills you do not intent to use, or outdated medication in your home can pose a <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=689,height=972,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/04/pills1_2.jpg"><img title="Pills1_2" height="141" alt="Pills1_2" src="http://www.lpdnewsonline.org/images/2008/03/04/pills1_2.jpg" width="100" border="0" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> risk for accidental ingestion or abuse.</p> <p>For additional information, contact Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer at 863.834.6949.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sergeant Terri Smith</p>

Lakeland Police Find Man Shot in Roadway

<p><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><span face="Times New Roman">On Sunday, March 2, 2008, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Lakeland Police were dispatched to the 1500 block of Kettles Avenue, in Lakeland, after a caller stated there was a “man down in the roadway” at that location.</span></span></strong></p> <p><strong><p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><span face="Times New Roman">Upon arrival, Officers found Samuel L. Bryant (DOB:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>10/25/82) lying in the roadway unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Bryant was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead early this morning. </span></span></p></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><span face="Times New Roman">The initial investigation indicates that an officer responded to an earlier altercation in this same area involving Bryant at approximately 5:15 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This earlier incident is still being investigated and it remains unclear at this point if these two events are related.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span>No additional information will be released on this incident at this time.</span></span></strong></p> <p><span face="Times New Roman"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Police are requesting that anyone with knowledge regarding the homicide investigation of the shooting of Samuel L. Bryant to please contact Sergeant Jeff Birdwell, or Detective David Anderson at The Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900.</span></strong><strong></strong></span></p> <p><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy"><span face="Times New Roman">This information is also posted on </span><a href="http://www.lpdonlinenews.com/"><span face="Times New Roman">www.lpdonlinenews.com</span></a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy">Sergeant Terri Smith</span></strong></p>

Florida's "Move Over" Law

One of the least understood traffic laws in Florida is the "Move Over" law from 2002. This law requires drivers to "move over" or "slow down" when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is stopped on a highway in Florida. The specific statute is 316.126(1)(b).

The website of the Florida Highway Patrol outlines the important provisions of this law along with a video clip to explain the law to drivers.

Effective July 1, 2002, on interstate highways or other highways with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a roadway with their emergency lights activated, are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon as it is safe to do so.

When approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a two-lane roadway with their emergency lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

We realize many drivers do not move over or slow down as required out of ignorance to the law rather than due to indifference. While ignorance is not a defense, we believe there is a need to educate the public before engaging in aggressive enforcement efforts. So for that reason our Traffic Unit conducted an educational blitz this past Friday to let drivers know about the law. We went ahead and published notice of this effort via our media blog, which was picked up by at least one local blog, Lakeland Local, and the newspaper.

LPD Traffic Officers started this initiative around 7:30 AM and wrapped up at 3:00 PM along Harden Boulevard between Beacon Road and Lakeside Village Shopping Center.

Interested in the results? Officers made numerous traffic stops for violations, which included:

• 106 Educational warnings for "Move Over" violations (no citations issued)
• 2 Moving violations
• 5 Non-moving violations
• 7 Seatbelt violations
• 2 Criminal traffic violations
• 1 Misdemeanor arrest
• 1 Felony traffic arrest

We want to encourage drivers to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped along the road. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel are killed on our roadways for doing their jobs because drivers are not paying attention.

Please, follow the law and move over or slow down. You may just save a life.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere