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Crime & Public Safety

📍 Crime & Public Safety — Polk County, Florida

Stay informed with the latest crime news, public safety alerts, arrests, court updates, traffic incidents, and emergency response coverage across Polk County, Florida. Daily Ridge delivers accurate, timely reporting from local law enforcement agencies and first responders, helping residents of Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Bartow, Auburndale, and surrounding communities stay aware of issues impacting public safety..

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Crime & Public Safety

Woman Charged with Felony Retail Theft after 11 Reported Retail Theft Instances in Lakeland

Staff Reporter - 0
Melissa Guevara DOB 07/20/1997 of Plant City, Florida has been arrested and charged with felony retail theft after allegedly stealing from two Target stores in Lakeland 11 different instances totaling 51 items. It should be noted that this is...
Crime & Public Safety

Two arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for calling a school principal to report a bomb

Carl Fish - 0
On Monday, March 10, 2025 at around 8:40 am, the principal of Ridge Community High School in Haines City, notified the School Resource Deputy at the facility, that she received three phone calls from an unknown male; the first...
Lake Wales

Lake Wales Man Arrested for DUI and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm

Carl Fish - 0
Lake Wales, FL – A routine traffic complaint escalated into a dangerous situation on February 25, 2025, when officers responded to a DUI call on Burns Ave. The suspect, later identified as Audencio Castillo, was reported driving erratically, weaving...
Breaking News

Lakeland Man Fatally Struck by Vehicle While Walking on US-92

Carl Fish - 0
March 8, 2025 – – A fatal crash occurred early Saturday morning on US-92, east of Charlie Taylor Road, when a pedestrian was struck by an oncoming vehicle. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at approximately 2:20 a.m., a 38-year-old...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Fatal Crash Causing Significant Traffic Issues On S.R. 60 Two Miles West Of Bartow

Carl Fish - 0
TrafficAlert for the Bartow area. A two-vehicle crash occurred on State Road 60, about 2-miles west of the city of Bartow. The crash was reported to involve an SUV and a semi truck. PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched...
Crime & Public Safety

Lakeland Man Charged with Exposure of Sexual Organs After Alleged Incident in Lyft

Staff Reporter - 0
35-year old Justin Cole of Lakeland got arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday morning, March 5th. The incident that got Justin into trouble began late Tuesday evening. Justin was picked up at the Walmart store at 5800 US 98...
Polk County Fire Rescue

Interim Chief Shawn Smith Named Polk County Fire Rescue Services Director

Carl Fish - 0
The Polk County Board of Commissioners appointed Shawn Smith as the new Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Tuesday, March 4 at the board meeting. Smith was appointed by Polk County Manager Bill Beasley. Smith steps into the role following an...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Polk Emergency Responders Out At Tiger Creek Canal Rescuing Victim Of Alligator Attack

Carl Fish - 0
The Florida wildlife commission, Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk County Sheriffs Office are currently on scene of an alligator attack on a canal off Tiger Lake. Details are still coming in, but it appears that the incident occurred...
Polk County

Man With Multiple DUI’s Including One With Serious Bodily Injury Is Arrested Again For DUI With Two Young Children In The Vehicle

Carl Fish - 0
Polk County Sheriff's deputies patrolling the I-4 area in Davenport arrested a Valrico man for DUI and child abuse after observing him driving impaired, in the eastbound emergency lane (shoulder) of I-4, with two kids in the vehicle.  After making...
Crime & Public Safety

Winter Haven High School Student Charged With Felony After They Bring Taser Gun To School

Staff Reporter - 0
On 2/27/25 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a student, Mercedez Janay Jackson DOB: 06/03/2009, at Winter Haven High School. Jackson was charged for bringing a taser to school. She is being charged with FSS 790.115(2)(B) POSSESSION OF A...
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Promotional poster for a Halloween Party and Costume Contest at Tanners, with pumpkins and spooky decor; Oct 24, 7PM at 1006 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven, FL.

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Winter Haven

Hope Presbyterian Church to Host Halloween Trunk-or-Treat Event October 24 in Winter Haven

Allison - 0
Families are invited to celebrate Halloween at Hope Presbyterian Church’s Church Halloween Takeover! Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Winter Haven. The...
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Poster advertising the 19th Hole Bar & Grill Breakfast Buffet: Sundays 9am–1pm; adults $15, children $8.99; foods include eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, grits, biscuits and gravy; address 7510 Red Grange Blvd, Indian Lake Estates.

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