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Welcome to the "Cape CopCast," the official podcast of the Cape Coral Police Department.
Hosted by Officer Mercedes Simonds, and Lisa Greenberg from our Public Affairs team, this podcast dives into the heart of Cape Coral PD's public safety, community initiatives, and the inner workings of our police department. Each episode brings you insightful discussions, interviews with key community figures, and expert advice on safety.
59 Episodes
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This week, we had two tragic DUI cases: one a fatal crash, and another stopped by a brave 13-year-old who called 911. In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we walk through what happened, why impaired driving is never an accident, and how early planning—rideshare, a designated driver, or a spare room—prevents tragedy long before the first drink is poured. This sparks a conversation about the limits of enforcement, even with DUI operations and dedicated night-time DUI officers, an...
Let’s set the record straight. In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we break down how our department can be fully staffed today and still need to grow to protect response times and service quality tomorrow. Using independent urban growth modeling and clear performance metrics, we walk through Project 35—our 10-year roadmap that aligns people, places, and gear with real population trends rather than guesswork. You’ll hear how we translate complex forecasts into practical steps c...
In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we pull back the curtain on the quieter machinery that keeps a city safe: Public Service Aides who investigate crashes, document burglaries, gather fingerprints, and build the reports that solve everyday problems. Jennifer Wein, a 14-year Cape Coral PD professional who moved from dispatch to the street, shares how PSAs shoulder the report-heavy calls so officers can stay available for high-priority incidents—without sacrificing quality or accountability. ...
In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we invited Sergeant Morgan Mills and Officer Steven Klackowicz to pull back the curtain on day shift patrol in Cape Coral—where a quiet morning can turn into a hot call in seconds, and a “slow” precinct like the Northwest becomes a laboratory for proactive policing. From the first moments of roll call to the final report, they walk us through the real workflow that keeps a city safe. You’ll hear how precincts shape the job: Southeast pulses with bar traff...
In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' Chief Sizemore explains how we’re scaling the department to match the city’s rapid growth. Over five years, we’ve onboarded hundreds and promoted 70 people, pushing the limits of span of control. To maintain quality, accountability, and training, Patrol is moving from a Bureau within the Police Operations Division to its own Division led by a Deputy Chief. This structure isn’t red tape—it’s how we sustain faster response, stronger supervisio...
A jewelry store robbery, a spouse watching a live surveillance feed, and a suspect arrested across the state before the day was over—this is what happens when real law enforcement partnerships are built long before a crisis. In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we pull back the curtain on how our FBI Violent Crime Task Force detective, close coordination with the U.S. Marshals, and a ready-to-go network of resources turned a violent incident in our city into a swift, safe resol...
Ever wonder why so many vehicle burglaries happen quietly, in minutes, and often on the same street? On this episode of the Cape CopCast, we sit down with Property Crimes Unit Sergeant Jeremy Niland to map the patterns behind vehicle break-ins, stolen cars, and retail theft, and the small, repeatable steps that stop them. From late-night patrol catches to detective follow-ups, you’ll hear how camera clips, serial numbers, and neighbor tips merge into a clean timeline that recovers stolen gear...
In this week's episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we dive into the surge of juveniles on e-bikes, scooters, and even dirt bikes showing up on our streets, and we get real about what’s fun, what’s legal, and what’s flat-out dangerous. From kids riding three-abreast and blocking traffic, to 30 mph sidewalk rides through shopping centers, we unpack the behavior patterns putting riders, drivers, pedestrians and local businesses at risk—and how we’re responding. You’ll hear how trespass ...
Behind every strong police department stands a support system that cares for those who protect and serve. For Cape Coral Police Department, that backbone includes our Chaplaincy program and Lead Chaplain Dennis Gingerich. Gingerich has dedicated nearly three decades to supporting Cape Coral Police officers through their darkest moments and greatest celebrations. Chaplain Gingerich shares how he transitioned from founding Cape Christian to also becoming the department's longest-serving chapla...
A safety ranking means little if it doesn’t match how people actually feel while living their lives. We unpack Cape Coral’s recognition as one of Florida’s safest cities by focusing on the daily experience of residents: running errands without fear, walking to the car without worry, and raising families in neighborhoods where people look out for one another. That lived sense of security comes from a clear vision, a mission built on partnership, and values that show up in every interaction. W...
What happens after a serious, or even deadly crash? How do investigators determine who's at fault, what caused the tragedy, and whether criminal charges should be filed? In this episode of the Cape CopCast, Cape Coral Police Department Traffic Homicide Investigators George Schwigk and Stephen Leonard pull back the curtain on their specialized world where mathematics, physics, and detective work combine to solve complex crash puzzles. These officers explain the tedious and sometimes heartbrea...
What if the camera on an officer’s chest could listen, watch, and turn a call or scene scene into a clean first draft of the report before anyone sits down at a keyboard? We dig into the real-world ways AI is changing police work in Cape Coral—speeding up documentation, meeting urgent NCIC deadlines for missing kids, and giving officers more time where it matters most: with people. We walk through how body-worn cameras now pair with AI to identify call types, pull key details from audio and ...
Think of a police department that treats excellence like a system, not a slogan—where performance, pay, wellness, and readiness all move together. We’re nearly fully staffed, crime is down double digits, and our response times are trending in the right direction. Now we’re aiming higher, inviting top talent to bring their experience without losing their hard-won momentum. We break down our new Collective Bargaining Agreement and why it changes the recruiting game. Lateral officers can receiv...
Language can be the difference between getting help in a crisis or suffering in silence. It's Hispanic Heritage month, and in this special edition of 'Chiefs Chat' on the Cape CopCast, Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore sits down with Officer Carlos Prieto and Officer Amanda Rodriguez to explore how the police force is evolving to serve its rapidly growing Spanish-speaking community. While officially documented at 25% Spanish-speaking, Chief Sizemore believes Cape Coral's Hispanic popu...
What does it really take to become a police leader? In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we pull back the curtain on the Cape Coral Police Department's comprehensive promotional process that recently elevated eleven officers to new leadership positions as sergeants and lieutenants. Far from the arbitrary selection that many might imagine, Chief Sizemore walks us through the meticulous, multi-month journey candidates undertake—studying Florida statutes, department policies, cit...
When a child with autism wanders away from safety, every second counts. Now, thanks to Florida's new Spectrum Alert system, there's a structured response that could save lives. In this episode of the Cape CopCast, the Cape Coral Police Department welcomes Family Initiative Vice President Anjali Van Drie and Director of Community Development Stephanie Hoffman to discuss this crucial safety development. Family Initiative, celebrating a decade of service in Cape Coral, has witnessed first...
Crime is down 28% in Cape Coral, and in this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we're breaking down exactly how it happened. Despite our growing population and increasing calls for service, we've achieved remarkable reductions across both violent and property crime categories while maintaining solvability rates well above national averages. What's our secret? Chief Anthony Sizemore says it's right there in our mission statement: "Partnering with the community to ensure the highest l...
School is almost back in session and the RedSpeed school zone cameras will be rolling! Join hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds as they welcome Chief Sizemore for a straightforward conversation about the RedSpeed school zone cameras returning on August 11th. Think of this as your essential back-to-school refresher – except instead of school supplies and new clothes, we're talking about keeping kids safe on their way to class. Chief Sizemore breaks down exactly how the program w...
FTO Coordinator Sergeant Gerry Buonocore joins the Cape CopCast to take us behind the scenes of the Cape Coral Police Department's comprehensive training program, revealing the journey from recruit to fully-qualified officer. With eleven years on SWAT, experience as an undercover Narcotics Detective, and now serving as the department's Field Training Officer Coordinator, Sergeant Buonocore brings unique perspective to the conversation about what makes an effective police officer. What does i...
The Cape Coral Police Department's Honor Guard stands as the living embodiment of law enforcement tradition and respect. Sergeant Joe Zalenski and Officer Steven Klakowicz pull back the curtain on this specialized unit in this episode of the Cape CopCast. Described as wearing "the tuxedo of police uniforms," these officers serve as the formal representation of the Cape Coral Police Department at events ranging from community celebrations to the most somber of occasions. With approximately tw...
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