Latest news with #ChadChronister
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Week-long active threat training held with Hillsborough County deputies
The Brief HCSO held a week-long active threat training at schools, "designed to ensure our deputies are fully prepared to protect students and staff as they return to school." The sheriff's office gave an inside look at what the sheriff called, "Some of the most intense mentally and physically demanding training that any member of the sheriff's office goes through." Deputies conducted training exercises in schools, classrooms and on school buses, among other locations. SEFFNER, Fla. - Video released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shows deputies armed with mock weapons searching different areas of the schools, even firing the fake guns. It was part of a week-long active threat training at schools. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said training scenarios include clearing rooms, evacuations, lockdown procedures and emergency first aid. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "Their adrenaline is going in hostage rescue, some shooting, different shooting scenarios as the students are running by you, and you're trying to process who's a good guy, who's a bad guy," Chronister explained. Dig deeper During a news conference at Jennings Middle School Seffner, the sheriff said deputies are also incorporating improved tactics. HCSO will now have real-time access to cameras in schools so they can see live video of potential threats as they happen. The department is also making sure every deputy is prepared, even some who weren't planning to participate in the training. READ: Hillsborough mom names daughter after HCA Florida Brandon nurse who helped during high-risk pregnancy "They were told to come to the school here," Chronister explained. "The moment they got here, they took their guns and their weapons off of them and gave them one of the less lethal weapons that shoots a projectile and said, 'here, you're going to help the deputy. Go run.'" During the annual training, the agency also practices adjusting to new school security laws. Last year, lawmakers required all campus access points, including gates and doors, to remain locked during school hours. What we know This year, however, a new law gave schools more flexibility to determine which access points are locked and when. Local perspective Chronister said his School Threat Assessment and Response Team, or STAR Squad, continues to play a major role in their preparation and response. MORE: Superintendent faces state board over Hillsborough book removals amid backlash at home The team assesses reports of possible threats that come in through the state's Fortify Florida program. Last year, the STAR squad received more than 1,300 complaints, marking an increase of almost 300, compared to the previous year. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NEW FLORIDA LAW: Underage drug dealers involved in fatal overdoses could face murder charges
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office holds a news conference about a Florida law that is going into effect on July 1, 2025. Under the new law, juveniles who distribute narcotics that cause a fatal overdose could now be prosecuted for murder, HCSO said. This update is a direct response to the deaths caused by individuals unknowingly consuming narcotics that are laced with deadly substances. According to HCSO, the new law was sparked by the death of Devin Ramos, 17, who died after unknowingly ingesting a fentanyl-laced pill given to him by a juvenile who could not be held accountable at that time. Sheriff Chad Chronister is joined by Devin's mother, Amy Olmdea, and State Attorney Suzy Lopez. They will speak about the development and importance of Senate Bill 612. Florida Representative Traci Foster and Senator Danny Burgess shared the following statements: 'The tragic death of a young person in our community due to fentanyl poisoning served as a devastating reminder of the lethal consequences tied to illegal drug distribution. In the wake of that loss, Sheriff Chad Chronister stepped forward to bring this issue to the forefront, urging lawmakers to take decisive action to ensure all who peddle in this deadly and unlawful practice can face justice. Senate Bill 612 reflects that call by updating state law to ensure those who unlawfully distribute controlled illegal substances like fentanyl can be held accountable when those drugs result in death. This legislation is about saving lives and delivering justice. I am deeply grateful to Sheriff Chronister for his leadership and to the law enforcement professionals who work every day to confront this crisis and protect our communities.' -Senator Danny Burgess'The scourge of fentanyl is devastating families and destroying communities across our nation. Those who peddle this poison have blood on their hands and should be treated as such in the eyes of the law. To help the brave men and women on the frontlines of this fight, Florida will now be able to hold those who deal in fentanyl to greater account. I'm thankful to Sheriff Chronister and Florida's law enforcement professionals for their commitment to the safety of our state and their willingness to help hold these drug dealers accountable for their deadly actions.' -Representative Traci Koster Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Florida law enforcement officials express concern about scams on seniors, but offer few details
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister in Tampa on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix) A host of top law enforcement officers briefed reporters in Tampa on Monday about their concerns about senior citizens in Florida being scammed by prisoners — alhough they offered few details. They did say that the culprits exploiting older Florida residents are state prisoners whose weapons in these cases are contraband phones, cryptocurrency, and drone devices. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, a 92-year-old man has been robbed of more $800,000 over a two-year period and one of the perpetrators is an incarcerated individual. He added that more information would come later. 'We will have formal charges, but it got to the point where we started connecting the dots and realized we need to put the public on notice that a lot of these calls and outreach to seniors, it could very much be a scam,' said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon announced that in conjunction with the attorney general's office and other agencies, 'Operation Triple Threat' took place last week in three correction facilities containing approximately 3,000 inmates to search for illegal cellphones. All told, he said, officers captured 400 phones. He did not name the prisons. Nor did the Department of Corrections respond immediately to an inquiry. When asked asked how many cases involve prison inmates taking financial advantage of seniors, Uthmeier said 'at least three known cases,' although he added that no formal charges have been brought to date. 'We're still expanding to see how far it goes, but at least a few different perpetrators and likely several more than that as far as victims,' he said. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also appeared at the media availability. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man killed in shooting at apartment complex, Hillsborough deputies searching for suspect
The Brief Hillsborough County deputies say a man was shot at an apartment complex on Sunday night. Investigators say two people were arguing in the breezeway at the Cypress Trace complex in Brandon when the suspect shot the victim. The man later died at the hospital, according to HCSO, and the suspect has not been caught as of Monday morning. BRANDON, Fla. - A man died after being shot at an apartment complex on Sunday night, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. What we know HCSO says the shooting happened around 7 p.m. in the 700 block of Providence Trace Circle at the Cypress Trace complex in Brandon. Deputies say two people were arguing in the breezeway when the suspect shot the victim, then took off. The man later died at the hospital, according to HCSO, and the suspect has not been caught as of Monday morning. What we don't know Deputies have not released the name of the victim or a description of the suspect. What they're saying "A man's life has been tragically cut short due to an act of violence that can never be undone," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "There is no dispute that should ever come to this. Our detectives are doing everything they can to locate the suspect and ensure the victim and his family get the justice they deserve." What you can do Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Operation ‘Remember the Fallen' leads to 29 DUI arrests over Memorial Day weekend
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced that 29 people were arrested over the weekend in a driving under the influence operation called 'Remember the Fallen.' The sheriff's office said it worked with the Tampa Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and Temple Terrace Police Department to conduct the operation from Friday, May 23, through Monday, May 26. Florida man tried to kill another man over $5 beer, police say During the four-day operation, deputies and officers increased DUI enforcement across Hillsborough County. They said they focused on 'deterring reckless behavior and preventing avoidable tragedies on the road.' 'Impaired driving is one of the most preventable threats to public safety,' said Sheriff Chad Chronister. 'When someone chooses to get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs, they're not just breaking the law — they're gambling with people's lives. Our deputies and law enforcement partners were out in full force because we take that threat seriously. We will continue to do everything we can to hold dangerous drivers accountable and protect the innocent people who share the road with them.' Here are the operation's results, according to the sheriff's office: Traffic Stops – 355 Traffic Citations – 51 DUI Arrests – 29 Warnings – 295 Other Arrests – 3 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
