Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the City of Cape Coral’s first budget workshop for the development of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. My role was to present the long-term needs of the Cape Coral Police Department and explain how we plan responsibly for a city that continues to grow at a remarkable pace.
I want to clarify an important point that may have been misunderstood by some who attended or later followed the discussion. During my presentation, I referenced the need for additional patrol staffing. Some took that to mean our department is currently understaffed or below authorized strength. That is not the case.
The Cape Coral Police Department is currently staffed to its authorized level of sworn officers. Recruitment is robust, retention is strong, and our culture continues to attract high-quality candidates locally, statewide, and nationally…