<p style="COLOR: #00007f"><br /><strong>Lakeland Police will demonstrate SIDNE on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at GEICO, <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570b03a22970b-pi" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="09_40SIDNE" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef011570b03a22970b" src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570b03a22970b-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" title="09_40SIDNE" /></a> 3535 West Pipkin Road, at 9:00 a.m.  The demonstration will be in the west side of the GEICO parking lot.  </strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">SIDNE (Simulated Impaired Driving Experience) is a battery operated vehicle that simulates the effects of impairment from alcohol/drugs on a motorist’s driving skills.  The vehicle can be set to simulate different levels of impairment.  </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">SIDNE was purchased by GEICO and donated to The Lakeland Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for educational purposes.</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">The media is invited to attend this demonstration.</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, PIO, 863.834.6949. </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Sergeant Terri Smith</span></strong></p>
The UCR data for Apr 2009 has been released, which shows overall crime for the first four months of this year is virtually unchanged from the same period last year. Violent crime is up a bit (10%) and property crime is down (0.5%).
Leading the increase in violent crime is Forcible Sex offenses. Robberies are down this year compared to last. April was a busy month for burglaries as these crimes seemed to explode in our community. Several key arrests since then are expected to lower this number when May's data is tallied.
The department continues our weekly crime meetings to review emerging crime trends and develop strategies to address hot spot areas. We are aggressively putting resources where we see problems developing just as fast as possible. Given the challenges of our current economy and any impact that might have on criminal activity, the numbers are not as bad as we feared they could be.
Our best defense against crime is the continued diligence of the community to report suspicious activity to us immediately. Anyone seeing something out of the ordinary or what you deem to be suspicious should call the Lakeland Police Department immediately at 863-834-6900. You can remain anonymous when reporting suspicious activity.
<p> <br /><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>Lakeland Police are investigating a robbery attempt that occurred on May 27, 2009, at approximately 4:35 a.m., at the 7 Eleven Convenience Store located at 2010 East Edgewood Drive in Lakeland.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>Victim, Herbert B. Kramer, age 49, was fueling his vehicle at the store when he was approached by a black male wearing a bandanna covering his face.  The suspect, armed with a handgun, attempted to rob Kramer.   When the suspect realized Kramer was not cooperating, the suspect struck Kramer in the head with the gun causing a minor injury.  Kramer then took the fuel hose from the car and sprayed the suspect with gasoline.  The suspect fled on foot to a vehicle parked nearby and fled the scene.  </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, PIO, 863.834.6949. </strong></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Sergeant Terri Smith</span> <br /></strong></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>Lakeland Police are investigating burglaries to occupied dwellings that occurred between May 19, 2009, and May 24, 2009, in north Lakeland on the streets of Cutter Lane, Grand Cypress Drive, and Wildcat Run.  Out of six incidents, four of the burglaries were committed while the victim was at home.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>The suspect appears to gain entry by cutting a screen to an exterior door, usually to the garage.  After gaining entry to that door, the suspect then enters the house through an unlocked door connecting the garage to the house.  The suspect then removes items of property and leaves undetected by the victim.  </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>Police are asking citizens to make sure their doors are locked and to report anyone they see in their neighborhood that appears to be suspicious, or does not belong. </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, PIO, 863.834.6949.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570ab51e9970b-pi" style="FLOAT: left"><img alt="09_38Map" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef011570ab51e9970b image-full " height="216" src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570ab51e9970b-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 12.84%; HEIGHT: 74px" title="09_38Map" /></a> </span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong></strong></span> </p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong></strong></span> </p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong></strong></span> </p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong><span class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef01156fb6145c970c"><a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/files/09_38catburglara-3.pdf"> View Original Media Release With Zoom of Map  </a></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: #00007f; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><strong>Sergeant Terri Smith</strong></span></p>
While reviewing the daily crime report this morning, I came across this stupid criminal story that left me shaking my head in amazement.
The suspect approached the victim at the gas pumps and stated "give it up." The suspect then struck the victim with the handgun causing a minor laceration to the victim's left ear. The victim then sprayed the suspect with gasoline causing the suspect to take flight.
Kudos to the victim for quick thinking to repel the attack by spraying the suspect with gasoline. We have a vehicle description - a tan colored Toyota, possibly a Corolla, with tinted windows and a sunroof - that our patrol units are trying to locate.
<p><strong><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman" size="4"><strong><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman" size="4"><strong><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman" size="4">
<p style="text-align: left">Lakeland Police are investigating a fraud series that occurred at several banks <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a7a4a9970b-pi" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="CS09_20b" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a7a4a9970b " src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a7a4a9970b-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" title="CS09_20b" /></a> in Lakeland , along with ten other jurisdictions. The suspects, two white females, are cashing checks on a closed account. Surveillance cameras at one of the banks captured the images of the suspects.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">Police are asking anyone who knows the identity of either of these suspects to contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS. </p>
<p style="text-align: left"><span class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef01156fb23e7a970c"><a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/files/cs09_21fraud.pdf"> See Crime Stoppers Bulletin </a> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left">Sergeant Terri Smith </p></font></strong></font></strong></font></strong></p>
<p><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman" size="4"></font><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman" size="4"></font><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman" size="4"></font></p>
Lakeland Police officers from our Traffic Section conducted enhanced enforcement activity on Memorial Day yesterday as part of the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign. The following results speak for themselves.
72 - Seatbelt violations
45 - Speeding violations
7 - Moving violations
6 - Criminal citations
4 - Moving violations
We continue to urge drivers and passengers to buckle up, slow down, and quite possibly safe a life.
<p><strong><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman"><strong><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman">
<p style="text-align: left">Lakeland Police are investigating a burglary that occurred at the Marathon Gas Station, 825 S Florida Av, on <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a6e9a5970b-pi" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="CS_20a" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a6e9a5970b " src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a6e9a5970b-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" title="CS_20a" /></a> May 19, 2009, during the night while the business was closed. The surveillance video captured the images of two suspects who entered the store by breaking the glass and then removed cigarettes and other property from the <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a6e914970b-pi" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="CS_20" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a6e914970b " height="200" src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a6e914970b-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" title="CS_20" width="140" /></a> store.</p>
<p style="text-align: left"> Police are asking anyone who knows the identity of these suspects to contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS.</p>
<p style="text-align: left"><span class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef011570a6ea73970b"><a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/files/cs09_20burglary.pdf"> See Crime Stoppers Bulletin  </a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left">Sergeant Terri Smith.</p></font></strong></font></strong></p>
<p><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman"></font><font color="#000081" face="Times New Roman"></font></p>
I had the honor of participating in promotional interviews this past week with 10 Sergeants seeking advancement to the rank of Lieutenant. The interviews were the final element of a lengthy and grueling assessment center to update our eligibility list for future Lieutenant vacancies.
I say it was an honor because these interviews were an integral part of deciding who will lead the Lakeland Police Department in the coming years. For all we know, we could be selecting someone who will be a future Chief of Police.
It is no understatement to also say it was a humbling experience to hear the passion and dedication of these exceptional officers as they spoke about their commitment to the vision and mission of our organization and their unwavering desire to serve the community. Too often in our daily grind we focus only on the immediate tasks at hand and rarely get an opportunity to discuss things like values, ethics, and professionalism. It was refreshing and uplifting to address these matters with the Sergeants.
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Rockwell">Jonathan Lee Davis, W/M, DOB:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>12/31/85, of Lakeland, Florida, has been charged with Vehicular Homicide and DUI Manslaughter in the death of his cousin, Joshua Lee Griffin (DOB:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>1/4/88) of  Perry,  Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </span>This incident occurred on October 12, 2008, in a single car traffic crash on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Carol Drive near <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Lakeland Hills Blvd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </span>Davis was driving the vehicle.</st1:address></st1:street></st1:address></st1:street></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Rockwell"></span></strong> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Rockwell"></span></strong><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Rockwell">Davis was arrested this morning by members of the Taylor County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Davis will be brought back to  Polk County to await trial on these charges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>There is no photo of  Davis available at this time.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Rockwell; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, PIO, 863.834.6949.</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Rockwell; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span></strong> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Rockwell; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Sergeant Terri Smith</span></strong></p>
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