The Plant City Police Department has deployed four officers to North Port to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Residents there are continuing to recover from storm-related issues of flooding, roads blocked by downed trees and power outages.
Hurricane Ian ripped through southwest Florida, leaving homes, businesses and beaches devastated. More than 100 people were confirmed dead in Florida due to the storm.
PCPD Sergeant Paul Tester and Officers Justin Castro, Vincent Wise and Samuel Shireling, along with 42 Tampa Police officers and two officers from Tampa International Airport, relieved 40 Tampa Police officers and 15 Tampa firefighters deployed to North Port immediately following the storm. The officers are assisting with clearing debris, traffic support and providing various assistance to residents in need.
All four officers are members of PCPD’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), a 10-person special operations group who have received tactical training in the handling of especially hazardous police duties. The team, established in January 2022, is called upon to handle assisting in emergencies such as hostage or barricaded suspect situations, high-risk warrant services and other situations involving anticipated extreme danger. The team trains with several other local police agencies, including Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough and Polk County Sheriff’s Offices.
Before leaving for North Port, the team assisted with hurricane cleanup efforts in Plant City, helping to clear roadways of debris. PCPD Chief Jim Bradford said the four volunteers were asking to be part of the team deployed before the logistics had been finalized. “These officers are the epitome of service and sacrifice because they put the needs of others before themselves and help make our community a better place,” he said.
Most are leaving behind friends and families to work 12-hour shifts in less-than-hospitable conditions.
“I’m very proud of them for their commitment and willingness to answer the call to serve not only the citizens of Plant City or Hillsborough County but to other Floridians that need help,” he said.
Bradford commented that of the thousands of applications he has seen for positions with the Department, the one commonality is that the applicant, and those who are hired, have a strong committment to serving their communities.
For Wise, helping people is what his job is all about. “It’s why we’re here,” he said. “While we normally serve residents in Plant City, this time we’ll be helping the residents of North Port.”
Tester agrees. “We go where we’re needed most,” he said.
When the officers return to Plant City, they will have a debriefing and a chaplain will be available to speak with them if needed.
Bradford and other police leaders were on hand Friday morning at the Tampa Police Training Facility, located at 116 S. 34th St. in Tampa to “clap out” the convoy as it began its journey to North Port.
They won’t be the last.
“This is the first group of many who will assist in these ongoing efforts because we can do more and we will do more,” said Bradford. “We’ll keep sending as many officers as often as we can.”