Cape CopCast

Chief Anthony Sizemore is using this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat' to explain his recent decision to discontinue automated license plate reader (ALPR) use (for now), even after years of responsible operation and real investigative wins.

We lay out what this decision is not: it’s not a rejection of ALPR technology. We explain, in plain language, what an ALPR actually captures, why searches must connect to specific cases, and how data retention becomes one of the biggest questions the public deserves clear answers on. When rumors and politics turn the volume up, long-form conversation is...

In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we talk to Chief Sizemore about a topic we love sharing but rarely explain fully: our awards process. We break down how nominations actually happen, why most recognition starts with peers and frontline supervisors, and how our culture has evolved from big ceremonies to a more personal monthly format where families can be part of the moment. 

We start the podcast by talking about Primary Election week and what it looks like on the ground, why the constant flood of political texts feels so ineffective, and what o...

A “safe public meetup” at a local restaurant still turned into a violent robbery, and the way it got solved says a lot about what community policing really means. Public Affairs Officer Lisa Greenberg and our new co-host, Officer Steven Klakowicz, asit down with Chief Anthony Sizemore to dig into how patrol officers working the same neighborhood every day build the kind of situational awareness that helps identify suspects fast, protect victims, and keep cases solid from the start.  

We break down the Facebook Marketplace setup, what robbery by sudden snatching looks like in real life, and why q...

Public Affairs at a police department looks simple from the outside until you see the moving parts up close. We sit down with Officer Steven Klakowicz as he steps into the Public Affairs Officer role, and we get honest about what the job really is: social media management, media relations, internal coordination, stats and reports, awards tracking, podcast production, and storytelling. Officer Klakowicz will be replacing Officer Mercedes Simonds in the Public Affairs Office and will take over as host of the Cape CopCast with Lisa Greenberg.

We also talk about what changes when you come from...

A skull spotted by a kayaker in Cape Coral in 2024 became the answer to a missing persons case from 1985. Chief Anthony Sizemore hosts a special Chief Chat with Violent Crimes Detective Mike Lasalandra to explain what the community saw near Kismet Parkway and why that forensic excavation mattered. The scientific work takes time, and we break down the reality of medical examiner testing, DNA extraction, and why identification can’t be rushed when the goal is truth that holds up.  

Once the DNA came back, the name was Rose Marie Gayhart, a woman who moved from Western New...

A single DM can turn into a case file, and most families never see it coming. We sit down with Cape Coral Police Department Special Victims Unit Detectives Trish Gould and Hailey DiGiovanni to talk plainly about internet crimes against children, what they’re seeing right now, and why the digital world moves faster than a kid’s judgment.

We get specific about how these situations start on everyday platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and even games like Roblox. We also explain the behind-the-scenes pipeline many parents don’t know exists: social platforms can flag suspected minor...

Summer crime doesn’t have to be a rerun. We sit down with Chief Sizemore to unpack what we’re actually seeing with juvenile vehicle burglaries and car hopping, and how targeted work behind the scenes is changing the numbers in Cape Coral. If you’ve ever wondered whether prevention can be more than a slogan, this conversation gets specific about what’s working and why it’s making a measurable dent in property crime.

We break down the Juvenile Task Force model and the real advantage of school resource officers: they already know the kids, the schools, a...

A 75% year-over-year jump in patrol calls for service is not a headline that should fade in a day, especially when staffing doesn’t rise at the same pace. In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we sit down with Chief Anthony Sizemore to explain what the second-quarter 2026 numbers actually mean on the street: more calls, more competing priorities, and a real-world squeeze on response times no matter how hard we optimize deployment. If you’ve felt like the city is simply “busier,” we connect that gut feeling to the data and the planning decisions it forces.

Then we dig i...

Summer looks calm from the outside, but for School Resource Officers in Cape Coral, the work just changes lanes. We sit down with Chief Anthony Sizemore and Sgt. Joe Zalenski to answer a question we hear often: what do SROs do during the summer? The truth is there’s no “off season” when your job is school safety, youth mentorship, and prevention. Between vacation scheduling that has to fit around strict school-year coverage, summer school obligations, comprehensive training, juvenile crime prevention, and summer camps, the calendar fills up quickly.

We dig into the training and why it’s treate...

A Belgian Malinois from the Czech Republic walks into a school and somehow manages to be both a laser-focused narcotics detection dog and the sweetest, most approachable face of school safety. That’s K9 Aramis, and we’re joined by his handler, Officer Matt Mills, to explain how a K9 team actually fits into day-to-day life inside Cape Coral schools.

We talk through what Aramis is trained to find, why THC vapes have become a real issue on campuses, and how targeted backpack or bag sniffs can support administrators when they ask for help. Officer Mills also shar...

In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we sit down with Chief Sizemore to get real about hurricane preparedness in Cape Coral, from the anxiety many of us feel on June 1 to the hard-earned lessons from storms like Ian. El Nino, La Nina, projected storm counts... none of that changes the bottom line: it only takes one, and readiness beats optimism every time.

We break down what our police department actually does as a storm approaches, and the moment we have to stop responding for safety. We discuss how we stage personnel before conditions...

A Memorial Day morning can reset your sense of what “service” really means. We begin with Chief Anthony Sizemore reflecting on the Coral Ridge Memorial Day Ceremony and the way fallen heroes are remembered not just in speeches, but in the families who return every year. When the Eggers family is honored in Washington, DC, it hits home here in Cape Coral, especially as the next generation steps forward to continue a military legacy.

Then the tone shifts hard into the work: an early-morning call about a vehicle burglary in progress escalates into a coordinated response that lead...

Officer wellness shows up in every call for service, every tough conversation, and every split-second decision. In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we’re joined by Officer Shawn Frazin, a longtime patrol officer who’s stepping into a major new role as our Peer Support Team Leader, to explain what real support looks like inside a police department and why trust is the foundation of everything.

We talk through how peer support actually works day to day: a trained team, confidential conversations, and practical help when someone feels stuck and doesn’t even know where to start...

National Police Week isn’t just a feel-good tradition for us. It’s a week that holds two truths at the same time: pride in the profession and a clear-eyed look at the sacrifice behind the badge.

Hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds of the Public Affairs Office sit down with Chief Anthony Sizemore to talk about what Police Week looks like at the Cape Coral Police Department. We get into the moments that build culture and connection, from the formal memorial ceremony with honor guard and reflection, to the simple power of command staff cooking burg...

In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we cover:

Chief Sizemore shares what it was like sit with Kayla's family in court, and why we keep saying a guilty verdict is justice but not closure. We also discuss what it takes to build a case from the smallest starting point...

School safety gets talked about like it’s only locks, radios, and worst-case scenarios, but the truth is more human and more demanding. Hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds sit down with Chief Anthony Sizemore to unpack what makes a School Resource Officer effective when the job requires two extremes at once: the ability to respond instantly to danger and the patience to earn trust with kids who may be meeting law enforcement for the first time.

We share a story that captures the spirit of the work: Officer Syd Wilcox being surprised with a VFW 'O...

In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we sit down with our SWAT Commander, Lt. Doug Coons, and Sniper Team Leader, Sgt. Andrew Miller, to map the real playbook: how a part-time team can deliver full-time readiness, how selection favors calm leaders over just muscles, and what it takes to manage high-risk calls without burning out the people behind the armor. From 60 callouts a year to multi-hour standoffs, they unpack the decisions that keep officers and neighbors safe.

We walk through the core missions—barricades, high-risk warrants, dignitary protection, and major events—and the structure that makes them...

The calmest voice in the worst moment is often a 911 dispatcher, and we want to give that work the spotlight it deserves. Hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds sit down with Chief Anthony Sizemore for an episode of Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat.'

We’re celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and the communications team that answers the calls, guides the public, and supports officers from the first ring. We talk about why dispatchers are “the first first responders,” what wellness support and crisis intervention training (CIT) can look like behind the scenes, and why the new Go...

A teenage girl watches her world change dramatically when her close friend is hit by a car while crossing the street. N'Evaeh's friend Stella is making a recovery, but the fear and helplessness she faced drove her to do something rare: N'Evaeh put the pain into words, and sent a raw, thoughtful email to Cape Coral leaders, and found out that people will listen when the message is clear and the stakes are human.

In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' Chief Sizemore and Public Affairs Officer Lisa Greenberg talk with N'Evaeh about what...

Wellness in policing isn’t soft. It’s strategy, it’s safety, and it changes what the public gets on the other side of the counter or car door. We sit down with Chief Sizemore to talk about what First Responders Wellness Week looks like at the Cape Coral Police Department and why we’re treating wellness as part of the DNA of the building, not a poster on the wall. That means physical training, nutrition guidance, financial literacy, and mental health support that’s built to meet people where they are. 

We get into how our Peer Suppor...

In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we sit down with Chaplain Dr. Don Neace as he closes a 50-year chapter of ministry—and a decade walking beside Cape Coral Police and Fire—to share what truly holds first responders together when the worst calls come. Chaplain Neace's presence has spanned swearing-ins, hospital rooms, tragedies, and retirements, always with the same offer: talk, pray, or vent, no judgment. Lisa, his wife of 47 years, joins us to reveal the other half of service—the weary drive home, the boundary-setting, and what it's like to be the partner of someone who law en...

In this BONUS episode of the Cape CopCast, we sit down with Tara Moser, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to talk about the stresses of law enforcement in honor of Heart Health Awareness Month(s), observed February-April. Not only is she involved in mental health work, but she also has her own heart health story.

Putting a fitted sheet on your bed shouldn’t steal your breath—and when it did, Moser knew something was wrong. That small, startling moment led to a fight to be heard, a diagnosis of serious aortic dysfunction, and major heart surgery that...

In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief’s Chat,' we're talking about a horrific murder case that rocked Cape Coral in the '70s and still shapes our community today. It's been 50 years since nine-year-old Jason Verdow was lured at his bus stop, kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered in 1976. It's a case that challenges the old "stranger danger" stereotype and highlights that predators don't always look like how we would imagine.

From there, we bring the conversation into 2026 parenting reality: online safety, gaming headsets, and the slow pressure tactics that grooming often relies on. We talk ab...

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, and make the case that responsibility is the biggest fix. 

We then pivot to discussing upcom...

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 city leadership and residents can understand and support.

We dig into the headline-grabber—“we could use 57 more people tod...

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.

You’ll hear what a PSA can and can’t do. PSA Wein breaks down the training path, including traffic enforcement coursework, forensic finger...

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...

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 buildi...

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 bi...

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 co...

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, a...

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. "...

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 i...

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...

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 video, and create structured reports that officers review 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 receive up to five years of step credit and start around $95,000, with the option to buy back up to five y...

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 population is closer to 30% or higher. This population shift presents unique challenges for emergency services, particularly during high-stress situations when communication barriers can mean...

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, city ordinances, and leadership principles before facing a gauntlet of assessments. The process combines written tests, simulated roll calls, scenario-based interviews, and practical exercises designed to...

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 firsthand how the prevalence of autism has skyrocketed from 1 in 110 to 1 in 31 children. This non-profit's comprehensive approach includes everything from clinical services and a s...

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 level of safety for all." This isn't just aspirational language—it's a practical approach that yields measurable results. When community members lock their do...