LPD Online News

Lakeland Police Win Car in Florida Law Enforcement Challenge

The Florida Law Enforcement Challenge Program is a competition between similar sizes and types of law enforcement agencies.  This program is financed through grants from the Florida Department of Transportation, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and The Drunk Driving Over the Limit/Under Arrest Program.  The program recognizes and rewards the best overall traffic safety programs in Florida. 

The areas of concentration include efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about occupant protection, impaired driving, speeding, and other areas of traffic safety.  The winning safety programs are those that combine officer training, public information, and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within their respective jurisdictions.

Participating agencies submit an application that documents their efforts and effectiveness in these areas.  A panel of judges reviews each application and assigns points.  After judging, the scores are averaged and a final score is assigned.  After all of the applications are scored, the agencies are ranked. 

The Lakeland Police Department placed 1ST in the traffic category.  After winning first place, The Lakeland Police Department became eligible to participate with 19 other agencies for a free vehicle.  Each of the 19 agencies was given a key that might be the one to start the vehicle.   Officer Sean Finney, Senior DUI Officer, was given the key that started a 2009 Dodge Charger.  The vehicle is fully equipped with a police package, distinctive markings pertaining to DUI enforcement, and is valued at over $25,000.

Lakeland Police also placed 2nd in the category for motorcycles.

The Lakeland Police Department is very proud of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. 

The vehicle will be exhibited on Monday, August 3, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., at the Lakeland Police Department, 219 North Massachusetts Avenue, for the media. 

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, 863.834.6949. 

In Photo Left to Right:  Sergeant Mike Moran, Captain Tom Day, PIO Jack Gillen, and Officer Sean Finney

Download Original Media Release With Additional Photos  

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Participate in National Stop Red Light Running Week

Lakeland Police are participating in National Stop on Red Week scheduled for August 2 thru August 8, 2009.  The Federal Highway Administration created the program in 1995 to education the public and promote safe driving habits.  The program calls attention to the dangers of red light running each year.

Regardless of measures taken by enforcement agencies to convey to the public the dangers involved, some motorists still continue to ignore the law and run red lights. 

According to the Federal Highway Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans under 35 years of age.  According the U.S. Department of Transportation, the societal cost of crashes exceeds 230 billion dollars annually.  Many vehicle crashes result from violation of traffic control devices at intersections. 

Lakeland Police officers will be conducting saturation patrols throughout the city during this week with special focus on traffic control devices at intersections.  It is hoped that  this attention will serve as a reminder to citizens of Lakeland to drive safely.

For more information on the Federal Highway Administration Stop Red Light Running Program, you can follow this link:  http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/redlight/srlr/

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, 863.834.6949.   

Sergeant Terri Smith 

Lakeland Police Arrest Cat Burglary Suspects

Lakeland Police responded to a burglary of an occupied dwelling in the 1300 block of West 8th Street in Lakeland on July 27th, at approximately 8:30 a.m.  Victim, a 49 year old female, was asleep in her home when she awoke to find one of the two suspects in her bedroom picking up her property, and the other standing at the door of her bedroom.   When the suspects saw the victim awaken, they both fled on foot from her residence. 

Lakeland Police established a perimeter, and Officer Ted Sealey and his K-9 partner tracked the suspects.  The suspects were located by officers and placed under arrest for Burglary to an Occupied Dwelling (No Weapon) F2.

It is believed the suspects entered through a side door that may have been unlocked.

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, 863.834.6949.  

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspects

Lakeland Police responded to an armed robbery that occurred at 1315 West 14th Street in Lakeland at approximately 2:50 PM on July 27th.  The victim, Vanessa Lauffer, age 25, is an employee of Papa Johns Pizza.  Lauffer had gone to 1315 West 14th Street to deliver two pizzas and a liter of sprite soda.  Upon arrival, Lauffer found suspect Eric Smith (DOB:  3/24/94) sitting on some steps.  Smith motioned her to come to him.  Lauffer stepped out of the vehicle and approached Eric Smith carrying the two pizzas and sprite.  At this point the other suspect, Micheal Smith (DOB:  8/21/90), came up behind Lauffer with a handgun and ordered her to give him the food.  Lauffer handed over the food and both suspects departed on foot. 

Officers located both suspects a short distance from the scene of the robbery (the pizza had been consumed) and both were placed under arrest for Armed Robbery. 

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, 863.834.6949.

Sergeant Terri Smith  

Lakeland Police Find Majority of Red Light Citations Continue to Result from Turning on Red

Since June 23, 2009, the total of red light violations approved for citations since cameras were installed at five major intersections to capture images of red light violators now stands at 4,400.

Police continue to find that the majority of these violations (exact number is not available) are the result of drivers failing to come to a complete stop before turning right on red in intersections where right turns are permitted. 

Citizens are reminded that in order to be in compliance with traffic laws, a driver must come to a complete stop behind the stop line/bar prior to making a right turn on red. 

If a driver pulls into the intersection crossing over the stop line/bar before stopping, or simply slows down and “rolls” through intersection without coming to a complete stop, they are considered to be in violation of the red light.

Police are stressing the importance of obeying these laws.  It is hoped that as drivers become more focused on stopping properly at intersections as a result of the use of these cameras, there will be fewer traffic crashes. 

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, 863.834.6949. 

Sergeant Terri Smith 

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Camera Theft Suspect

On June 7, 2009, an unknown suspect removed a camera from Wendy’s Restaurant, 2240 W. Griffin Road in Lakeland, Florida. 

The suspects is described as a white male, 20 to 25 years of age, between 5’5” and 5’10” tall, weighing 140 to 180 pounds.  The suspect also has short, dark colored curly hair.

If you have any information that could lead to the identity of this suspect, please contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 800.226.TIPS (8477). 

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Robbery of Golf Pro Shop

On July 21, 2009, at approximately 2:18 PM, two older black males entered the Cleveland Heights Golf Pro Shop located at 2900 Buckingham Avenue in Lakeland.  One of the suspects distracted the clerk, while the other one snatched an undisclosed amount of money from the register.  As the suspects left the shop they were followed by a witness.  As the witness attempted to make contact with the suspects, one of the suspects placed his hand in his pocket implying that he was armed.  The suspects then fled the area.  No one was injured during this incident.

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, pager 863.981.0196. 

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Armed Robbery

On July 19th, 2009, at approximately 9:00 PM, an employee of Link America, 2940 Swindell Road, Lakeland, Florida, was outside of the business when he was approached by two black males.  Both suspects had their faces covered and were carrying handguns.  The suspects demanded, and were given, the victim’s wallet.  Suspects then fled the scene, direction and method of travel unknown. 

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, pager 863.981.0196. 

Sergeant Terri

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Grand Theft Suspects

On or about June 30, 2009, suspects removed a trailer from the business of The Fourth Wall, 4030 Kidron Road, in Lakeland.  One vehicle removed the trailer, while another vehicle operated as a lookout.

The trailer is described as a 12 foot enclosed box trailer with dual axle.  The trailer is a Wells Cargo utility trailer with Florida Tag E22-ONZ.   The trailer is black and has a four foot “The Fourth Wall” logo in white writing on both sides.  The front right tire is blown out.  The trailer contained a motorcycle lift, 10 packing blankets, 7 artwork stands, and 1 hollow core door. 

Suspect Vehicle that removed the trailer is a black or dark colored Ford pickup with tan or light trim around bottom and wheel wells.  Pickup also has a black or dark topper.

Vehicle 2 is small and white or light colored.

If you have any information that could lead to the identity of these thieves, please contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 800.226.TIPS (8477).  

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin 

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Armed Robbery Suspects

On July 6, 2009, an armed robbery occurred at The Lucky Supermarket, located at 810 West 5th Street, by two black male suspects.

These suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. 

If you can identify these suspects, please contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 800.226.TIPS (8477).

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin with Additional Photos 

Sergeant Terri Smith