INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Click It or Ticket Update

Thought I might share with you an update on our current enforcement efforts as part of the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign. Traffic Officers working speed enforcement along South Edgewood Drive last Friday wrote 13 speed citations and 11 seatbelt citations. Do the math and that is almost 100% non-compliance.

Traffic Officers working speeding enforcement on Brunnell Parkway last Friday wrote 20 speeding citations and 27 seatbelt citations. How did we get more than 100% non-compliance? Passengers who are not wearing a seatbelt can be ticketed as well.

DUI Officers conducting patrols over the holiday weekend made 6 DUI arrests on Saturday.

"Click It or Ticket" runs through June 1. Please buckle up when you get on the road. Our officers are working hard to ensure safety on our highways and we ask you to do the same.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Report for May 19 - 25, 2008

In addition to our usual weekly crime report listing the significant events for the reporting period, we are adding a new report to the blog. Beginning today, we are also posting a weekly statistical TAC/CompStat report showing initial crime trends. These trends will be reported in increments of 7 days, 30 days, and year to date.

Weekly_crime report May 19 - 25.pdf

Weekly TAC/CompStat crime trend report May 19 - 25.pdf

Areas of concentration

Officers will be focusing directed patrols in apartment complex parking lots due to a recent increase in vehicle burglaries. A majority of those incidents involved unlocked vehicles with valuables in plain sight. These crimes are occurring all over the city rather than in just a limited area.

The theft of air conditioner units continues due to the high scrap value of copper found in these machines. The latest trend for these crimes includes thefts from residences as well as businesses, often late at night. We ask neighbors to be mindful of suspicious activity and call the Lakeland Police Department should anything appear unusual to you.

Call us at 863-834-6966 to report suspicious activity.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Map for May 19th to May 25th

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map – 05/19 to 05/25.

Memorial Day 2008

As this year's Memorial Day holiday unfolds and we get involved in our celebrations or family cookouts of the day, let us take a moment to remember the reason behind this day - to honor those who so bravely served our country and gave their lives in defense of the freedoms we enjoy.

We currently have four Lakeland Police officers on active military duty today. Our prayers are for their safe return to LPD as soon as possible.

In the mean time, we are grateful for all who served in the various branches of our military, and we thank you for what you have done for our country.

To the families of our fallen heroes - thank you for what you gave us and the emotions that you face everyday, not just on Memorial Day.

For the rest of us, let's not get so busy today that we do not take a personal moment to give our thanks - in whatever manner you feel is appropriate - to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Swear-In Four New Officers

Four new officers were sworn-in as members of the Lakeland Police Department during ceremonies this past Thursday. Officers Mike Arbogast, Talya Frazier, Jason Leggett, and Scott Weaver took their oath of office and received their shields from Chief Boatner.

These four new officers have just completed a four-week orientation program and begin their 14-week field training program this weekend. We wish them the best in their careers at Lakeland PD and welcome them to our department.

From left to right: Officer Scott Weaver, Officer Jason Leggett,
Officer Talya Frazier, and Officer Mike Arbogast.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Announce Reward Offered for Serial Bank Robber

I do not usually duplicate information found in our media blog, LPD Online News, by adding it to our INSIDE Lakeland PD blog. Today, I am going to make an exception.

The Lakeland Police Department has joined with other law enforcement agencies throughout central Florida to identify and arrest a subject who is believed to have committed numerous bank robberies dating back to at least March 2008.

Information on this bank robbery suspect can be found here.

We need the public's help in determining the suspect's identity. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of this subject. Anyone with information is urged to call the TIPS hotline at 800.423.TIPS (8477).

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Crime Stats

Download tac_rpt_may_12_18_2008.pdf

Lakeland Police Promote Dr. Greg Robinson to Supervisor of Crime Prevention Unit

Dr. Greg Robinson, a Lakeland Police Department Crime Prevention Practitioner for over 10 years, was recently promoted to Supervisor of the Community Services Unit. This position was previously held by a Police Sergeant, but it was converted to a civilian supervisor as part of our redeployment strategy to move sworn personnel from administrative positions and put them in the field.

Dr. Robinson earned his Doctorate at United Bible College and Seminary in Theology and Christian Education. He has earned many awards and decorations during his military service, service to the religious community, and here at LPD. His most recent recognition was Civilian Member of the Year for the Police Department in 2007.

Greg was born and raised in Lakeland. After graduating from Lakeland Senior High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served 13 years and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant functioning in many capacities. Some of his duties were: Cannoneer, Fire Direction Officer, Gun Chief, Pershing Missile Chief, Drill Instructor and an Advanced Weapons Instructor. During his tenure he completed two tours in Europe for a total of 6 years.

Greg started with the Lakeland Police Department in December of 1995 serving in the Community Services Section. He has graduated numerous courses and training sessions such as the FBI Citizen Academy, Credit Card Fraud Course, Time Management Training, Child Safety Technician, City University courses, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, Florida, Work Place Violence Instructor and a Victim Service Practitioner. Greg is certified as a Florida Crime Prevention Practitioner.

We congratulate him on this promotion and look forward to his continued service to the Lakeland community.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Plan Enhanced DUI Patrols Over Memorial Day Holiday Weekend

The Lakeland Police Department will be conducting Memorial Day Holiday saturation patrols throughout the City of Lakeland beginning May 23rd in an effort to reduce impaired driving in Lakeland. These efforts are part of the sustained Drunk Driving - Over the Limit, Under Arrest program sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation. The goal of announcing these Saturation Patrols is to make people think twice about drinking and driving.

This effort is in conjunction with the Click It or Ticket Enforcement Wave that began on May 19th and continues thru June 1st where the focus will be on seat belt awareness and enforcement.

If you are planning to drink alcohol during this holiday or any other time of the year, the Lakeland Police Department asks you to use a designated driver, public transportation, taxi, or call a friend who has not been drinking to take you home.

Impaired driving by alcohol and drugs kills and injures thousands of innocent people a year, yet DUI is a totally preventable crime. Remember, if you are Over the Limit, you will be Under Arrest and if you don't Click It you will get a Ticket! Please drive safely over this holiday weekend.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Weekly Crime Map for May 12 to May 18

Here is the weekly crime map of significant events for the period of Crime Map – 05/12 to 05/18.

- Sergeant Terri Smith