To the Wilton Manors Community,

I take this opportunity to reach out to you amidst this Coronavirus (COVID-19) health pandemic to update you on public safety here in the Island City.  First and foremost, please know our ability to provide public safety services to our community is unchanged, and we remain committed to delivering law enforcement services throughout this COVID-19 (C-19) pandemic.  Our agency continues to work with our local, state and federal partners to stay up to date with the latest information which allows WMPD to make informed decisions in the interest of public safety.  We have taken steps to protect our community, our first responders and our support staff to mitigate the exposure, transmission, contraction and cultivation of COVID-19 and through this pandemic we will remain vigilant in patrolling our community with public safety being our # 1 priority.  

Due to the current health issue and in an effort to minimize first responder exposure to COVID-19, our agency has modified some of our practices.  Currently, we have expanded our use of taking police reports over the phone.  Officers have been encouraged to maintain adequate distance when interacting with citizens and officers have begun meeting with members of our community in “open air” locations during calls for service.  When our officers make a request of you to meet in the open air or at a distance, know that this is done in the interest of health safety for all involved.  We ask that you follow their lead so we can continue to provide service to you in the safest manner possible.  

To our residents, we continue to work toward maintaining safe neighborhoods in the same manner we did before this crisis.  The relationships we have cultivated over the years will enable us to navigate through this pandemic together, and together we will remain as vigilant as we always have been.  The foundations of our “Know Your Neighbor – Know Your Neighborhood” and “See Something – Say Something” initiatives were built on the pillars of trust:  Trust in each other and the Trust you have in WMPD.  We add one pillar to assist all of us as we travel this difficult road: “Don’t Knock When You Can Call / Email.”  This phrase embodies exactly what we must practice during the coming weeks ahead.  Separation is critical in our efforts to mitigate the spread of this virus.  Know that we shall utilize all of the above methods to deter, detect and apprehend criminal activity.  As always, do not hesitate to call us if something is not right in your neighborhood.  

To our business community, we ask you stay abreast of executive orders being implemented by federal, state, county and city officials.  Most importantly, we seek your voluntary and immediate compliance with any new regulation that may go into effect as these regulations are being put in place for your safety, the safety of your patrons and the safety of our community at large.  We empathize with you and your employees during what has become a challenging time for our business community and we stand ready to support you in our public safety endeavor.    

Finally, below you will find some operational adjustments we have made in order to maintain and sustain a healthy workforce.  

None of our adjustments have resulted in fewer officers patrolling our community and there has been no modification which has reduced the number of law enforcement personnel we have investigating crimes.  

• Report Crimes:  In the event of an emergency or in progress situation, continue to call 9-1-1.  For all other incidents call our non-emergency dispatch center at (954) 764-HELP (4357).  All crimes and incidents will continue to be investigated by our officers/detectives.  To better protect the community, delayed crimes/incidents may generate a phone call to you by the officer so they can obtain important investigative information .  We encourage you to volunteer information to our dispatch center regarding the potential for first responders to encounter COVID-19 on any given incident.
• Police Lobby Hours:  Our lobby will be CLOSED to the public effective 3/19/20 and will mirror that of City Hall.
• General Information:  You may contact us as (954) 390-2150 or info@wmpd.org.
  • Mon-Sat. 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Closed on Sunday
• Records Requests:  Should you need a record, please contact us at (954) 390-2150 (option #1) or e-mail your request to records@wmpd.org. 
• Fingerprinting:  Fingerprinting services have been suspended until further notice.

We encourage you to stay up to date with COVID-19 information.  We also ask that you follow us on Facebook, Twitter and SaferWatch.  We will utilize these social media platforms to communicate important information to our community.  Our website is also a valuable tool to stay informed…visit us here at wmpd.org.    

Through this C-19 pandemic our community will remain strong and resilient, and together we will persevere through these challenging times.  I believe in the Power of Perseverance!  Our Country has seen much bigger challenges and endured. Your Police Department and its employees stand ready to serve our community during this health crisis.   We wish you good health and safety along the way, and should you need our assistance do not hesitate to call upon us.

Sincerely,

Paul O’Connell
Chief of Police