Stay ConnectedWelcome to the “Cape CopCast,” the official podcast of the Cape Coral Police Department.
Hosted by Officer Steven Klakowicz, and Lisa Greenberg from our Public Affairs team, this podcast dives into the heart of Cape Coral PD’s public safety, community initiatives, and the inner workings of our police department. Each episode brings you insightful discussions, interviews with key community figures, and expert advice on safety.
Copyright: © 2026 Cape CopCast
A teenage girl watches her world change dramatically when her close friend is hit by a car while crossing the street. N'Evaeh's friend Stella is making a recovery, but the fear and helplessness she faced drove her to do something rare: N'Evaeh put the pain into words, and sent a raw, thoughtful email to Cape Coral leaders, and found out that people will listen when the message is clear and the stakes are human.
In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' Chief Sizemore and Public Affairs Officer Lisa Greenberg talk with N'Evaeh about what sparked her advocacy, how writing can be therapeutic, and why “doing nothing is not an option” when community safety is on the line. We get into the bigger picture behind pedestrian safety and traffic safety in Southwest Florida: distracted driving, phone use while crossing the street, and how one small lapse can have a ripple effect, changing multiple lives at once. The 15-year-old's core advice is simple and hard to ignore: be aware. Look up. Put the phone down. Stay in the moment.
We also zoom out to the shared responsibility that makes safer streets possible, from drivers and pedestrians to bicyclists, e-bike riders, police education and enforcement, and smarter road design and infrastructure. The conversation ends with a hopeful update on Stella’s recovery and a reminder that one student voice can create real momentum.
New Outro
Wellness in policing isn’t soft. It’s strategy, it’s safety, and it changes what the public gets on the other side of the counter or car door. We sit down with Chief Sizemore to talk about what First Responders Wellness Week looks like at the Cape Coral Police Department and why we’re treating wellness as part of the DNA of the building, not a poster on the wall. That means physical training, nutrition guidance, financial literacy, and mental health support that’s built to meet people where they are.
We get into how our Peer Support Team works, why our Chaplains matter, and how simply knowing help exists can lower stress even before someone reaches out. We also talk about the long game: bringing families into the process earlier through pre-deployment onboarding, so the people who support our officers at home understand the job and feel included. The goal is simple and serious: do the work, go home healthy, and finish a career able to enjoy what you’ve earned.
Then we shift to a snapshot of modern police work in motion: a stolen car tied to a burglary, a pursuit crossing jurisdictions, and an arrest that comes together through interagency teamwork, K9 tracking, drones, and a community tip.
New Outro
In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we sit down with Chaplain Dr. Don Neace as he closes a 50-year chapter of ministry—and a decade walking beside Cape Coral Police and Fire—to share what truly holds first responders together when the worst calls come. Chaplain Neace's presence has spanned swearing-ins, hospital rooms, tragedies, and retirements, always with the same offer: talk, pray, or vent, no judgment. Lisa, his wife of 47 years, joins us to reveal the other half of service—the weary drive home, the boundary-setting, and what it's like to be the partner of someone who law enforcement leans on.
We dive into how chaplaincy works inside a modern department: ride-alongs that build trust, a desk in patrol that lowers barriers, and regular visits to dispatch, where stress runs high and closure is rare. Chaplain Neace explains how proximity and availability foster resilience, integrity, and professionalism across command staff, patrol, and communications. We also unpack the moment he knew it was time to retire, guided by a prayer from Psalm 39:4, and the choice to invest first in family—kids, grandkids, and being “Mr. Lisa Neace” with pride.
He also shares practical advice for new chaplains, honest marriage wisdom for first responder couples, and a clear reminder that faith and friendship can carry a load that duty alone cannot.
New Outro
In this BONUS episode of the Cape CopCast, we sit down with Tara Moser, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to talk about the stresses of law enforcement in honor of Heart Health Awareness Month(s), observed February-April. Not only is she involved in mental health work, but she also has her own heart health story.
Putting a fitted sheet on your bed shouldn’t steal your breath—and when it did, Moser knew something was wrong. That small, startling moment led to a fight to be heard, a diagnosis of serious aortic dysfunction, and major heart surgery that reframed how she works, eats, moves, and supports others. Joined by Victim Advocate Brandi Tucker, Moser unpacks the quiet warning signs of heart disease in women, why dismissal happens, and how to advocate through the noise until you get answers that fit your body, not a checklist.
Together we map the terrain first responders navigate daily: chronic stress, disrupted sleep, and constant adrenaline that push blood pressure higher and shorten recovery windows. We talk about practical, sustainable changes—lean, protein-forward meals, smarter sodium choices, movement that fits your life, micro-breaks that reset your system, and rebuilding stamina without burning out. And because mental health is cardiac health, we dig into stigma, the power of peer support, and finding culturally competent therapists who truly understand the job.
We also spotlight our upcoming Annual Candlelight Ceremony, where families honor lost loved ones and grief finds company. It’s a reminder that connection is medicine: the body calms when we can speak, be seen, and feel safe. Moser is the keynote speaker, and the event is held at the Cape Coral Police Department on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 7 PM. You can find more information here.
New Outro
In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief’s Chat,' we're talking about a horrific murder case that rocked Cape Coral in the '70s and still shapes our community today. It's been 50 years since nine-year-old Jason Verdow was lured at his bus stop, kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered in 1976. It's a case that challenges the old "stranger danger" stereotype and highlights that predators don't always look like how we would imagine.
From there, we bring the conversation into 2026 parenting reality: online safety, gaming headsets, and the slow pressure tactics that grooming often relies on. We talk about what to say to your kids in plain language, how to set boundaries without banning everything, and why monitoring chats matters for bullying, threats, and escalating behavior. If you’ve ever wondered how to translate “be careful online” into specific rules your child can actually follow, this is the practical playbook.
We also share a clear example of technology used for good: real-time crime center coordination, license plate readers, and OnStar tracking that helped lead to a quick arrest and the removal of drugs and a gun from the street. Finally, we highlight community events we care about, including the NAMI walk and how crisis intervention training (CIT) helps us respond better to mental health crises, plus the annual candlelight ceremony that supports survivors through grief with connection and remembrance.
New Outro
This week, we had two tragic DUI cases: one a fatal crash, and another stopped by a brave 13-year-old who called 911. In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we walk through what happened, why impaired driving is never an accident, and how early planning—rideshare, a designated driver, or a spare room—prevents tragedy long before the first drink is poured. This sparks a conversation about the limits of enforcement, even with DUI operations and dedicated night-time DUI officers, and make the case that responsibility is the biggest fix.
We then pivot to discussing upcoming events, including the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a tradition that unites agencies across Lee County and channels miles into inclusion and support. We highlight the NAMI Bridge Walk and how it ties into our Crisis Intervention Team training, plus a packed local calendar that makes February and March perfect for getting outside, moving your body, and connecting with neighbors.
We also remind you about our Financial Crimes Town Hall at the Lake Kennedy Center on Monday, March 2nd at 1 p.m. Our Economic Crimes Unit Detectives will break down current scams, warning signs, and simple ways to protect your accounts and identity, so you can stress less and enjoy more sunsets.
New Outro
Let’s set the record straight. In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we break down how our department can be fully staffed today and still need to grow to protect response times and service quality tomorrow. Using independent urban growth modeling and clear performance metrics, we walk through Project 35—our 10-year roadmap that aligns people, places, and gear with real population trends rather than guesswork. You’ll hear how we translate complex forecasts into practical steps city leadership and residents can understand and support.
We dig into the headline-grabber—“we could use 57 more people today”—and explain why that number reflects future capacity needs, not current vacancies. Think of it like this: the bucket (authorized positions) is full, but the city keeps pouring in. To keep service consistent per resident, we need a bigger bucket, not because of turnover or culture issues, but because growth is accelerating. That’s why a steady ramp of 20 to 30 officers per year makes sense; it preserves hiring standards, training quality, and the culture that keeps great people here.
We also talk about where to get reliable information in a landscape filled with rumor and hot takes. Primary sources matter: our official channels, website, and credentialed news outlets. And we’re showing up where you are—'Coffee with a Cop' at high-traffic spots like Target and at local cafes and churches—so you can ask anything and meet the people behind the badge on good days, not just tough ones. Rounding things out, we spotlight upcoming community events and invite you to our Financial Crimes Town Hall, where detectives share the latest scams, prevention tips, and how to report effectively. (More info here).
If you value fast response, professional service, and a department rooted in strong culture and accountability, this conversation lays out exactly how we plan to keep it that way as Cape Coral grows.
New Outro
In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we pull back the curtain on the quieter machinery that keeps a city safe: Public Service Aides who investigate crashes, document burglaries, gather fingerprints, and build the reports that solve everyday problems. Jennifer Wein, a 14-year Cape Coral PD professional who moved from dispatch to the street, shares how PSAs shoulder the report-heavy calls so officers can stay available for high-priority incidents—without sacrificing quality or accountability.
You’ll hear what a PSA can and can’t do. PSA Wein breaks down the training path, including traffic enforcement coursework, forensic fingerprinting, and a structured field training program she now leads as an FTO. She talks through a typical day in those new PSA trucks, how she and her teammates split the city to cut response times, and why some days bring twenty crash scenes while others are all about burglary fingerprints or fast-moving fraud reports.
We also tackle misconceptions—PSAs are not volunteers—and talk prevention. Lock your car. Slow down in school zones as “red speed” cameras generate a steady flow of citations. Watch for modern scam tactics that use pressure and fear to separate you from your money. For anyone curious about a future in law enforcement, the PSA role doubles as a powerful pipeline: start at eighteen, learn the craft of field work and report writing, and build a foundation for becoming a sworn officer.
And a reminder about our upcoming Fraud & Financial Crimes Town Hall on Monday, March 2nd, 2026 at 1 PM at the Lake Kennedy Center. To learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H8UFCY6xC/
New Outro
In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we invited Sergeant Morgan Mills and Officer Steven Klackowicz to pull back the curtain on day shift patrol in Cape Coral—where a quiet morning can turn into a hot call in seconds, and a “slow” precinct like the Northwest becomes a laboratory for proactive policing. From the first moments of roll call to the final report, they walk us through the real workflow that keeps a city safe.
You’ll hear how precincts shape the job: Southeast pulses with bar traffic and back‑to‑back calls, while the Northwest’s residential stretch allows targeted patrols, traffic enforcement on Burnt Store Road, and community touchpoints that prevent crime before it starts. We unpack the top daytime calls—vehicle crashes and overnight vehicle burglaries discovered at dawn—and the triage that determines who gets help first. There’s practical advice here for residents too: when a phone report beats waiting on scene, why locking cars at night still matters, and how traffic visibility aims to educate, not just cite.
The conversation turns inside the perimeter on a recent armed robbery response: securing the scene, setting a perimeter, spinning up UAV and aviation support, and carefully transitioning to detectives and forensics once the scene stabilizes. It’s a choreography that looks static from the outside but protects lives and preserves evidence. Along the way, Sergeant Mills shares the view from the supervisor seat—approvals, mentoring, and trusting experienced officers—while Officer Klakowicz highlights a culture of problem solving that keeps the whole shift moving. The human thread ties it together: officers working overtime, parents juggling schedules, people managing stressful moments at crash scenes. When both sides bring patience and grace, service is faster, safer, and better.
New Outro
In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' Chief Sizemore explains how we’re scaling the department to match the city’s rapid growth. Over five years, we’ve onboarded hundreds and promoted 70 people, pushing the limits of span of control. To maintain quality, accountability, and training, Patrol is moving from a Bureau within the Police Operations Division to its own Division led by a Deputy Chief. This structure isn’t red tape—it’s how we sustain faster response, stronger supervision, and safer outcomes as call volume rises. Cape Coral is booming, calls are up, and we’re building the capacity to keep you safe.
We also talk about a recent clip on the news that showed an older couple wandering onto someone's property while they weren't home, and a headline that suggested “police can’t do anything.” We break down the real process for Trespassing in plain English: what counts as notice, what “trespass after warning” means, when loitering and prowling fit, and how signage or pre‑authorization changes what officers can do on scene.
We also touch on the e‑bike surge sweeping Cape Coral. The hardware matters—some “e‑bikes” are actually motorcycles under the law—but the bigger issue is behavior. From kids riding four abreast and blocking lanes to filming stunts in traffic, the risk is real. After rounds of education, we’ve shifted to enforcement: citations for blocking the road and helmet violations, and in serious cases, fleeing and eluding charges when riders bolt from a lawful stop. Parents, we share practical steps to check your child’s vehicle classification, set clear rules of the road, and prevent the kind of crash or confrontation that changes everything.
New Outro
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
