COMMUNITY AND POLICE OFFICERS JOIN TOGETHER FOR RIBBON CUTTING.
On May 16, during National Police Week, the new Friends of the Plant City Police Department Foundation held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its office, provided by McGrath Poppell & Company at 212 North Collins Street. City residents and business owners began forming the Foundation in 2023 to provide open support for the Plant City Police Department (PCPD). It is not a part of the PCPD.
Plant City Commissioners, business leaders, Hillsborough County leaders, judges, and others from Plant City celebrated this initiative at the ribbon cutting.
The foundation’s vision is to enhance collaboration between Plant City’s residents and law enforcement by fostering a sense of security, respect, and shared responsibility. Its mission is to enhance financial support for Plant City’s law enforcement and build stronger relationships with the community.
“I discovered there are a lot of people who really do want to be involved in this because they are very supportive of our law-enforcement community and what they do for us,” said Gary Pike, Chairman of the foundation and one of its founders.
Friends of the Plant City Police Department Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, with the purpose and focus to serve the PCPD by raising money through tax-deductible donations and community events. The money will be used to offset costs of a variety of things needed by the PCPD.
When the Chief of Police makes financial requests to the foundation board for items that may or may not be funded by the PCPD, the board then makes decisions on what to fund. The money can be directed to special equipment purchases, enhanced training, outreach programs, and officer safety. The foundation will not fund personnel, lethal weapons, or police vehicles. The immediate goal is to raise $120,000.
U.S. Congresswoman Laurel Lee sent a letter for the ribbon cutting that reads, in part, “….Your commitment to strengthening the bond between our community and the Plant City Police Department is commendable. Through your efforts, you will provide essential resources and support that enhances the safety and well-being of the residents of Plant City….”
The foundation is already serving the police. The bicycles ridden by the highly effective bike squad were 12 years old and continually needed repairs. The Friends of the Plant City Police Department Foundation has purchased and provided four new bicycles of a quality suitable for the rigors of law enforcement.
Through the Friends of the Plant City Police Department Foundation, citizens of Plant City can take an active role in assisting law enforcement. “The foundation is a manifestation of the love that people have for the police department here in Plant City,” commented Chief of Police James Bradford. “We couldn’t do it without community support. People are always asking how they can help with PCPD other than just moral support. The foundation is able to support us in purchasing equipment, sending people to training, and otherwise that’s not covered by the budget.”
The founders of the Friends of the Plant City Police Department Foundation are:
Gary Pike – Chairman
Mary Ott Wood – Vice Chairman
Matthew Buzza – Treasurer
Ed Verner – Secretary
Jerry Stwan – Member at Large of the Executive Committee
For more information or to donate, the Foundation site is https://www.friendsofpcpd.com
