Latest news with #SanfordPolice
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Parents of Sanford toddler nearly killed in hit-and-run ask for community help to solve the case
Sanford Police are asking the community to come forward with information on a hit-and-run that nearly killed a toddler. 3-year-old Harmonie Rose Bryant has been fighting for her life at Arnold Palmer hospital, since she was hit on Persimmon Avenue in the Goldsboro neighborhood on Thursday. According to her family, the toddler is in stable condition, but she had brain bleeding and multiple fractures to her skull and pelvis. The family spoke exclusively with Channel 9 and said Harmonie will likely have a long road to recovery. According to the family, the 3-year-old is awake but unable to communicate and could have lasting issues from the crash. Her parents told Channel 9 they were watching their daughter play 'Red Light, Green Light' with her older brother just feet away from their Sanford home, as a driver jumped the curve and slammed into their daughter. 'We were sitting right there on the porch when it happened. And that car came flying around the corner,' said Harmonie's father Melvin Bryant. 'She went flying in the air. I jumped off the porch, almost fell down the steps,' added Harmonie's mother Lakisha Debose, as she recalled the horrifying moment. Harmonie's parents said they have been by their daughter's hospital bedside 24/7 since the crash and are asking for continued prayers for her recovery. The family and several neighbors told Channel 9 speeding is a problem along Persimmon Avenue where the crash happened. They believe the city needs to take some speed calming measures on the road. Meanwhile, Harmonie's parents said they are frustrated the person responsible for the hit and run is still at large. They are begging the community to provide information to police that could help close the case. 'I want justice,' said Bryant, 'I'm asking for anybody to step forward.' Sanford Police said they do have persons of interest but have not made any arrests yet. The department said anyone with information about the hit-and-run could contact Sanford Police directly or make an anonymous report via Crimeline. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 Sanford police officers resign following mishandled hostage response, chief says
The Brief Two Sanford police officers are out after a delayed response to a gas station hostage crisis. An internal review spurred disciplinary actions and department reforms. Chief Cecil Smith pledges policy changes as the suspect remains jailed. SANFORD, Fla. - Two Sanford Police officers have stepped down following an internal investigation into the department's delayed response to a 2024 hostage situation at a local gas station, where a woman was held at knifepoint in a bathroom. What we know Two Sanford Police officers have left the department following an internal investigation into their response to a 2024 hostage situation involving a woman held at knifepoint in a gas station bathroom. Body camera footage showed a nearly five-minute delay before officers entered to stop the threat. At a news conference on Thursday, Sanford Police Chief Smith said the initial officers violated the department's Active Assailant Response Policy. The policy states that officers are to "immediately advance to attempt to stop the threat (i.e. Engage, apprehend, deadly force) without delay." Chief Smith said Officer Dominick Delorbe was at the scene first. He was removed from duty during the investigation. He was about to be fired, but resigned. Chief Smith said Officer Geovanni Castro arrived shortly after. Smith said Castro is a newer probation officer who was following orders since Delorbe was the senior officer. Castro received a five-day suspension without pay, his probation period was extended, and he was retrained in active assailant response. Three supervisors — a sergeant, a lieutenant, and a captain — also received letters of reprimand for not following procedure to alert Chief Smith of the incident. A sixth officer associated with the incident was the second to resign after they were caught on body camera making disparaging comments about the suspect's mental health. What we don't know The identity of the second officer who resigned after making a disparaging comment about the suspect's mental health has not been released. It is also unclear why the incident took nine months to reach the chief's attention, and what specific procedures failed in that time. The backstory Sanford Police responded to a hostage situation at a gas station in June 2024. An employee told 911 dispatch a coworker was lured into the bathroom by the suspect. The victim was reportedly slashed and being held at knife point. Body camera video showed the first two officers on the scene discussing, waiting to breach the door until backup arrived. A third party acquired the body camera video and shared it online in March. Chief Smith said that's when he found out about the video and launched an internal investigation. What they're saying The incident took nearly a year to come to light and was only brought to Smith's attention nine months after it occurred. "This was a mistake. It think one of the most important parts in any leadership is that you accept the fact that there is a problem and accept your portion of the problem and you correct issues to make sure it doesn't happen again. We have done that," said Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith. "We believe that we have taken the appropriate actions to deal with those circumstances. We appreciate the patience given by the community as we work through this investigation." What's next Chief Smith said he is requiring his supervisors to review body camera video more frequently to make sure they don't miss incidents and to make sure they are reported. The department also has its annual active assailant response training in June. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Sanford Police Department and from a news conference held on May 22, 2225, by Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sanford man gets 11 years for fentanyl, meth distriubtion
GREENSBORO — A Sanford man was sentenced Thursday, April 17, to more than 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine and other crimes. Antwan Lopez Clemons, 45, was sentenced to 135 months by U.S. District Court Judge Loretta C. Biggs and ordered to five years of supervised probation upon his release. Clemons was also ordered to forfeit a Winchester Double Star 5.56 rifle and a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun. According to court records, on seven occasions between Feb. 16 and April 2, 2024, Clemons sold fentanyl to a confidential informant in Lee County, totaling 712.85 grams of fentanyl. On two occasions in March 2024, he also sold a total of over 200 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Harnett County, a release states. A search of two properties associated with Clemons yielded another 1,638 grams of meth, 4 grams of fentanyl, 7 grams of cocaine, 73 dosage units of Suboxone, 125.7 grams of M522 pills and 2,073 grams of marijuana, as well as the rifle and a handgun. Clemons pleaded guilty to the charges on Oct. 9, 2024. The case was investigated by the Sanford Police, Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecutor was Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jeanne Dildine.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sanford Police use local indoor theme park training facility for unique training
The Brief Sanford police have partnered with Decision Tactical, a company that combines entertainment with education to train both civilians and law enforcement in survival and combat situations. The facility features interactive simulations with digital suspects, prop weapons, and real-world scenario training, helping officers refine their skills in a bias-free environment. This training method is cost-effective, eliminating the need for live ammunition while allowing trainers to analyze and correct officer performance in a controlled setting. SANFORD, Fla. - Sanford police have partnered with a local company called Decision Tactical to add another element to their training program. Decision Tactical combines entertainment with education to provide civilians with survival and combat tips. With a restaurant and bar indoors, it's a unique outing for people. "How would you deal with a crisis situation where there was a home invasion or an active assailant or something of that nature?" Remo Eyal, Decision Tactical Co-Founder, said. Big picture view They also operate as a tactical training facility for law enforcement. Their motto, "Save Lives. Bridge Divides.," is aimed at teaching law enforcement how to safely and efficiently act while eliminating prejudice. "We really focus on bias-free policing," Decision Tactical co-founder Remo Eyal said. In addition to that, Eyal said they also strive to provide an experience that allows civilians to understand what police officers often deal with. What they're saying "The average citizen, they don't get an opportunity to see what an officer encounters on a daily basis," Sanford Police's Deputy Chief Trekelle Perkins said. The facility is host to many different rooms and gadgets to simulate real-life situations. Patrons and trainees use prop weapons to navigate areas with interactive screens and obstacles. Perkins said the versatility of the exercises is crucial in their training. "They are able to train in an environment that looks similar to what they are—they actually patrol in," he said. The interactive walls and screens include digital suspects and citizens who may or may not comply with the orders given. From there, the participants must make split-second decisions to complete the simulation. Beyond the benefits of versatility, Perkins said it also comes as a major financial benefit to the department, as they don't have to pay for live ammunition. The digitally monitored weapons track how fast the triggers are pulled, how fast a weapon is pulled, accuracy of shots fired, etc. "It allows our trainers to actually determine what our officers are doing [incorrectly], and correct that behavior or those mistakes in a sterile environment," he said. "I do believe other agencies can benefit from this type of training." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source The information in this article comes from reporting done by FOX 35's Chris Lindsay.
