The Community Policing Unit of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office strives to unite with the community to enhance the quality of life by providing services specific to the concerns of the community members. This mission is accomplished by providing a variety of services. Currently, there are two Community Policing Officers certified for bike patrol. The bike patrol allows the officers flexibility in their patrol techniques such as agility, a stealth approach, surveillance, and closer contact with the community. The bike patrol also provides the opportunity for the officers to concentrate on specific areas of concern such as parks, beaches, and neighborhoods.

The Community Policing Unit also provides services throughout the county on a regular basis in conjunction with the Crime Prevention Unit such as Kid Print, Bike Safety, and Safety Days at various community partner locations. Our unit also establishes and meets regularly with Neighborhood Watch Groups. We encourage all neighborhoods to establish an active watch. The Neighborhood Watch Groups provide our unit a forum to present vital crime information and programs to the community while simultaneously increasing the safety of the neighborhood through the reporting of suspicious activity.

We encourage the community to watch for information on our upcoming National Night Out August 2, 2005 and Shop With A Cop on December 6, 2005. These events allow us as Law Enforcement Officers an opportunity to interact with our community and strengthen the quality of life for all of us.

• Start a Neighborhood Watch Group - 941-764-1533


• Report All Suspicious Activity


• Lock you home and vehicle even when occupied


• Secure personal property indoors

In 1999 the US Department of Justice reports indicated 58,200 children were abducted. Of those 115 were taken over 50miles from their home. Of the 115 stereotypical kidnappings, 45% were ages 12-14. Of the 58,200 overall, 59% were ages 15-17. Strangers were the number one perpetrator, with slight acquaintance and long-term acquaintance coming in at 2nd and 3rd.

Teach your children they don't have to BE NICE to strangers or other adults making requests of them that are inappropriate for their age (ex: asking for directions, helping to find lost dog).

Teach your children to trust their instincts. Children are naturally perceptive and naturally "hide" behind a safe person (parent) because they recognize at a young age what a "stranger" is. As a parent we should reinforce this natural instinct of self-preservation in our children. This behavior is often interpreted as a sign of "shyness". Children must be able to help set their own boundaries or "safety zone".

Never force a child to let someone (even a relative) touch them if they don't want to be touched.

Spend quality time EVERY DAY with your children.

Teach your children to Observe-Think-Report:

Observe- know your surroundings including location, areas of safety (Sheriff sub-station/ Fire Department), quiz your child when driving in the car to teach them to pay attention to their surroundings (ex: What street are we on? How long have we been in the car?).

Think- when a child is approached they will often have a short moment of opportunity to make a decision, the more they are empowered to make decisions, the better the chance a safe decision will be made. Practice scenarios with your children on everything from encounters with strangers to peer pressure involving drugs and alcohol. Decisions are based on the knowledge that one possesses.

Report- Please don't dismiss a concern or incident a child may relay- Please contact the Sheriff' Office and allow us to investigate immediately to determine if an incident is reportable. By reporting suspicious events immediately to 639-0013, or 911 in the case of attempted abduction or if a weapon is displayed, this enhances a Deputies chance of making contact with the suspect while still in the area.