Cape CopCast

• 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.

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• 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. 

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• 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?

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• 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.

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• Chief's Chat #26: Why Embracing AI Gives Communities Faster, Safer Policing

  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 approve. That shift doesn’t replace human judgment—it protects it, freeing officers from retyping interviews and letting them stay in the field longer. We also unpack a powerful translation feature that detects language on the fly and delivers near real-time two-way communication, cutting delays and misunderstandings when clarity is critical.We talk transparently about total how strategic tech investment can reduce the need for future positions without cutting current jobs, recapturing workload while guarding against burnout. The takeaway is simple: you won’t be replaced by AI, but you could be outpaced by leaders who use it well. We’re choosing to move forward—measuring results, keeping human skills at the core, and using the right tools to serve Cape Coral better every day.The Cape Coral Police Department is hiring. To apply: www.capecops.com/careers

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