Cape CopCast

Cape Coral Police Department
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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. 

  1. JAN 20

    A Day on Patrol with Sgt. Morgan Mills & Officer Steven Klakowicz

    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 traffic and back‑to‑back calls, while the Northwest’s residential stretch allows targeted patrols, traffic enforcement on Burnt Store Road, and community touchpoints that prevent crime before it starts. We unpack the top daytime calls—vehicle crashes and overnight vehicle burglaries discovered at dawn—and the triage that determines who gets help first. There’s practical advice here for residents too: when a phone report beats waiting on scene, why locking cars at night still matters, and how traffic visibility aims to educate, not just cite. The conversation turns inside the perimeter on a recent armed robbery response: securing the scene, setting a perimeter, spinning up UAV and aviation support, and carefully transitioning to detectives and forensics once the scene stabilizes. It’s a choreography that looks static from the outside but protects lives and preserves evidence. Along the way, Sergeant Mills shares the view from the supervisor seat—approvals, mentoring, and trusting experienced officers—while Officer Klakowicz highlights a culture of problem solving that keeps the whole shift moving. The human thread ties it together: officers working overtime, parents juggling schedules, people managing stressful moments at crash scenes. When both sides bring patience and grace, service is faster, safer, and better.

    23 min

  2. JAN 16

    Chief's Chat #30: Why We're Adding a Third Deputy Chief, Trespass Law, and Teen E-Bike Behavior

    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 supervision, and safer outcomes as call volume rises. Cape Coral is booming, calls are up, and we’re building the capacity to keep you safe. We also talk about a recent clip on the news that showed an older couple wandering onto someone's property while they weren't home, and a headline that suggested “police can’t do anything.” We break down the real process for Trespassing in plain English: what counts as notice, what “trespass after warning” means, when loitering and prowling fit, and how signage or pre‑authorization changes what officers can do on scene.  We also touch on the e‑bike surge sweeping Cape Coral. The hardware matters—some “e‑bikes” are actually motorcycles under the law—but the bigger issue is behavior. From kids riding four abreast and blocking lanes to filming stunts in traffic, the risk is real. After rounds of education, we’ve shifted to enforcement: citations for blocking the road and helmet violations, and in serious cases, fleeing and eluding charges when riders bolt from a lawful stop. Parents, we share practical steps to check your child’s vehicle classification, set clear rules of the road, and prevent the kind of crash or confrontation that changes everything.

    25 min

  3. JAN 9

    Chief's Chat #29: Update on Armed Robbery Investigation & Project 35

    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 resolution for the community. From there, we zoom out to the bigger picture: how do you keep pace with a fast-growing city without sacrificing service, response times, or trust? We share an update on our Project 35, a data-driven plan that designs the agency we need by the year 2035 and then reverse engineers every year between now and then. We share how we align staffing, technology, vehicles, and training with actual demand instead of guesswork. You’ll also hear how we tie strategy to dollars so budgets aren’t wish lists but accountable, measurable investments.

    20 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    How Detectives Track Thieves & Return Your Stuff with Property Crimes Sgt. Jeremy Niland

    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 and holds people accountable. Sgt. Niland walks us through a recent case near Oasis Boulevard where coordination led to a search warrant and a pile of stolen property returned, including a kid’s softball equipment. That human side drives the work, but so does smart process: parking under your security camera, keeping valuables out of sight, locking doors, and recording serial numbers for bikes, tools, and electronics. We also dig into why many offenders are teens acting on impulse and what truly makes a car a target. Retail theft gets a spotlight too. We break down barcode switching, booster crews, and the statewide networks that treat stolen goods like inventory. You’ll hear how loss prevention teams share intel across stores and why “it’s just a big-box loss” is a myth—those costs reappear in higher prices. Along the way, social media plays a starring role, with community IDs turning anonymous faces into names, and the occasional viral moment—like a man in Batman pajamas stopping a burglar—reminding us that neighbors still make the difference. If you want fewer crimes on your block, this conversation gives you the playbook: simple habits, fast calls when something feels off, and a community-first mindset that makes theft a losing bet. Listen, share with a neighbor, and subscribe for more practical safety insights.

    22 min

  5. 12/05/2025

    Chief's Chat #28: A Parent's Guide To E-Bikes, Scooters, And Safe Streets

    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 authority at shopping centers works, why citations and bike seizures are now on the table, and where the line is between harmless cruising and reckless endangerment. We break down the basics parents need: the 10 mph sidewalk limit, helmet and lighting requirements, when a “bike” is actually a motor vehicle that needs registration, and the real consequences of fleeing from a traffic stop. Our goal isn’t to crush outdoor fun; it’s to keep kids alive, spare families heartache, and protect the community’s peace. Amid the tough talk on safety, we share the heart of our December: the 'Holiday Heroes Food Drive' with partners who turn every dollar into more meals, 'Stuff the Cruiser' and 'Fill the Boat' toy collections that go straight to local kids, and 'Shop with a Cop'—pairing officers and students for a morning of joy. These programs stay local, move fast, and meet real needs, from food insecurity to foster family support, with long-standing partners who show up year after year. If you’re considering an e-bike gift for your child or loved one, this is your checklist and conversation starter. If you want to be part of something good, this is your roadmap to make a direct impact where you live.

    22 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    Faith Behind the Badge: A Chaplain's Role in Law Enforcement with Dennis Gingerich

    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 chaplain. With warmth and wisdom, he explains the delicate balance of providing spiritual support without imposing religious beliefs, emphasizing the chaplaincy program's commitment to confidentiality, non-judgment, and professional integrity. "We serve anyone and everyone," Gingerich explains, highlighting how chaplains create safe spaces for officers to process trauma, stress, and personal challenges. The conversation unveils powerful stories of transformation, including an officer who was initially against a ride-along but eventually shared a deeply personal trauma about his brother's suicide—something he had never disclosed to anyone else. Through these intimate narratives, Gingerich demonstrates how chaplains help address both immediate trauma and the cumulative stress that builds throughout a law enforcement career. As one officer described it, police work is like "holding a paper sack and throwing rocks into it"—each traumatic event adds weight until something eventually breaks the bag. The chaplaincy program represents an essential component of officer wellness, recognizing that effective policing requires attention to "body, soul, mind and spirit." Whether conducting ceremonies, responding to critical incidents, or simply being present during roll calls, chaplains like Gingerich, Dr. Don Neace, and Patrick Miller bring diverse life experiences that prepare them to support officers through whatever challenges arise. Listen now to understand how spiritual care contributes to healthier officers and, ultimately, better community policing.

    24 min

  7. 10/24/2025

    Chief’s Chat #27: Working Together to Stay Florida’s Second Safest City

    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. We take you inside the model that guides our work: be the safest city in Florida, and get there by partnering with the community to deliver the highest level of safety for all. You’ll hear how real conversations shape policy more than surveys do, how doorbell camera clips can be the missing piece in a case timeline, and why solvability rates rise when people feel heard. We also talk about the power of ownership: many of our officers live here, navigate the same roads, visit the same parks, and bring that personal stake to every call for service. It’s “your police department,” not just “the police department.” We don’t ignore small problems that can grow into big ones. That includes a candid look at risky biking and e‑bike behavior—wheelies in traffic, riding three or four across, and blocking lanes. We outline the plan: educate first, enforce next, and keep kids safe while protecting everyone on the road. Our Community Oriented Policing unit is coordinating with businesses on trespass authority, and we encourage residents to call when they see unsafe behavior so we can address it in the moment. The throughline is simple: early reporting, shared information, and steady service keep fear off the front of people’s minds. Proud of the progress, focused on the work. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review to help others find the show. What safety topic should we tackle next?

    16 min

  8. 10/20/2025

    Inside a Crash Investigation with Traffic Homicide Investigators Schwigk & Leonard

    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 heartbreaking process of reconstructing crashes. They reveal how speed rarely acts alone in causing fatal crashes - it's typically combined with other factors like impairment, or inattentiveness. The investigators share why solving hit-and-run cases is even more rewarding, as they track down drivers who attempt to escape accountability only to face much more severe consequences than if they had remained at the scene. The conversation shifts to cutting-edge technology transforming police work, particularly the department's UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) program. These aerial tools provide critical bird's-eye perspectives of crash scenes, help locate missing persons, and enhance security at public events.  THI Schwigk & THI Leonard also discuss Cape Coral's unique traffic challenges: the blend of year-round residents, seasonal visitors, and the proliferation of electric bikes and scooters creating new safety concerns. They provide essential advice about which vehicles are street legal and warn that standard bicycle helmets aren't designed for the speeds many electric bikes can achieve. Their message resonates clearly: through a combination of enforcement, education, and individual responsibility, we can all contribute to the ultimate goal of zero traffic fatalities in our community.

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
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About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Cape Coral Police Department
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cape CopCast
  • Show Website
    Cape CopCast