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
Have you ever heard of a Crime Analyst? Join us on the Cape CopCast as we explore their role in solving and preventing crime with Hannah Esham.
She talks to hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds about how Crime Analysts use the Tactical Intelligence and Analytics Center to work closely with detectives. Hannah offers an insider's perspective on how analysts provide invaluable support to detectives, using tools like license plate readers and social media to track and prevent criminal activity. Her journey, sparked by her pivotal internship with the Clearwater Police Department, highlights the essential role of crime analysts as the silent, strategic forces behind successful investigations.
Discover how sharing intel among agencies and the digital footprints left by suspects are pivotal in today's law enforcement landscape. Through real-world examples, Hannah illustrates how her team operates proactively, distributing critical bulletins and safety information that can make or break an investigation. Explore the fascinating intersection of technology and crime fighting, and learn what it takes to thrive in this dynamic field from someone at the forefront of modern crime analysis.
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What does real police de-escalation look like? In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' Chief Anthony Sizemore breaks down body camera footage of a potentially deadly encounter that ended peacefully thanks to crisis intervention training and compassionate policing.
When Cape Coral officers responded to a home in which parents had been assaulted by their adult son on the autism spectrum, they faced a complex challenge. The suspect was non-verbal, armed with a knife, and had already demonstrated violence. Without proper training, this situation could have ended tragically.
The Chief walks us through the footage moment by moment, highlighting how officers maintained lethal cover while deploying less-lethal options like tasers. The tactical communication between officers, their adaptability to the suspect's unique needs, and their immediate shift to compassion once the threat was contained demonstrate how training translates to street-level success.
This episode offers rare insights into the split-second decisions officers make when lives are at stake. It underscores the department's mission of "partnering together for a safer community for all" – showing how that partnership sometimes forms in unexpected ways during crisis situations. The incident ultimately provides avenues for the family to access court-mandated mental health services that might otherwise have been unavailable.
Watch the full video on YouTube to see this remarkable example of crisis intervention in action: https://www.youtube.com/@Capecops
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In this edition of the Cape CopCast "Chief's Chat," Chief Sizemore breaks down the science behind prioritizing police response and staffing in this transparent, informative discussion about department operations.
Using a simple visual metaphor of "tennis balls in buckets," the Chief explains how the department allocates officers across the city's four geographical quadrants. Each quadrant (or bucket) contains four zones, and each zone has its own officers (tennis balls). When priority one emergencies occur—active crimes, injury crashes, or immediate threats to safety—these officers must respond immediately, leaving non-emergency calls to wait longer. It's not that your non-emergency call isn't important; it's that someone else's life may literally depend on that immediate response.
The good news? The department's "Project 35" has mapped out staffing needs for the next decade with unanimous support from city leadership. This science-based approach to scaling police services has received backing from city management, finance teams, and elected officials, ensuring that as Cape Coral grows, police staffing will grow proportionally.
The episode concludes with the announcement of Captain Matt Campion as the department's new Interim Deputy Chief. Fresh from graduating the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Campion brings refined leadership skills to an organization of over 400 employees, highlighting the department's commitment to succession planning and professional development. Subscribe to hear more insider perspectives on how your police department operates and evolves with your community!
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Join us as we shine a light on two of the remarkable women making a difference in our community—Christine Seymour, a Victim Assistance Coordinator, and Brandi Tucker, a Victim Advocate. Their work within the Cape Coral Police Department is nothing short of essential, offering a lifeline to victims of domestic violence, traffic homicides, house fires and beyond. On this episode of the Cape CopCast, they share their heartfelt stories and reveal the emotional resilience required to support our community's most vulnerable, particularly children. Through collaboration with our police officers, they ensure that victims receive continuous care, spotlighting the importance of teamwork and personal boundaries in handling the emotional demands of their roles.
They also talk to hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds about the complexities of aiding victims who may not be ready to accept help. Christine and Brandi emphasize meeting individuals with patience and understanding, providing support that extends into courtrooms and beyond, helping them move from 'victim' to 'survivor.'
Our Victim Advocates aim to break the misconception of isolation by connecting victims with others who have faced similar challenges, underscoring the unity and strength within our community. We also hear about the candlelight vigil on April 6th, 2025 that will honor all victims.
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In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we explore the introduction of Red Speed cameras in school zones throughout Cape Coral. With safety as our main priority, this initiative aims to enhance protection for children during critical drop-off and pick-up times. We talk to Chief Sizemore about how these speed cameras function, capturing violations and issuing civil penalties to drivers who exceed speed limits, while freeing up our police department's resources to focus on other essential duties.
The conversation emphasizes the importance of education in successfully rolling out this program. With a month-long warning phase starting on March 1st, we share plans for engaging educational campaigns that include clear signage and public service announcements aimed at informing the community about the initiative's goals. The expectation is to reduce speeding incidents and instill a sense of responsibility among drivers as they navigate school zones.
As we explore the further implications of this program, we also reflect on the strong community involvement that has led to this project. It's a crucial issue that affects everyone, and we believe that collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful change.
We also talk about the retirement of Deputy Chief Phil Van Landschoot after 27 years of service to the department. Chief Sizemore reflects on their long-spanning friendship and his service for our city.
We wrap up by talking about the upcoming gala benefitting the non-profit Blue Line Bears. The charity takes the uniforms of fallen officers and turns them into teddy bears for their families. This started in Cape Coral by a young girl whose father is a Lieutenant for the Cape Coral Police Department.
To learn more about Blue Line Bears: https://bluelinebears.org/
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Have you ever wondered what we do with money seized from criminal investigations?
Join us as we reveal some of the cutting-edge innovations coming to the Cape Coral Police Department, funded entirely by forfeiture money. Hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds chat with Chief Anthony Sizemore about how new high water vehicles and advanced AI-powered forensic accounting software are changing the game. These strategic investments, made through forfeiture money, promise to enhance emergency responses during flooding and revolutionize financial crime investigations, all while keeping the department's budget intact. We talk about how these advancements are set to better protect and serve our community.
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In this episode of the Cape CopCast, step into the life of K9 Officer Travis Harrison and his remarkable K9 partner, Van. Discover firsthand how Travis evolved from a professional baseball player, to working in real estate, to a patrol officer, to now a dedicated K9 handler.
Officer Harrison sits down with hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds to talk about the rigorous yet fascinating process of selecting and training police dogs, and the the intricate balance required to maintain Van's professional discipline in a loving home environment.
Officer Harrison talks about bringing Van home for the first and how he got his name (a nod to our Deputy Chief!). He also shares how he keeps up with the high-energy German Shepherd. Gain unique insights into the life of a K9 Officer, including the stark differences between working dogs and personal pets, and the rewarding yet demanding nature of the role. Through the lens of Officer Harrison's multifaceted career path, we explore the unexpected ways his previous experiences have influenced his approach to police work.
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In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we're going deeper into new city ordinances aimed at enhancing public safety with Chief Anthony Sizemore.
Hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds explore the success of a new ordinance targeting outdoor camping on public property, focusing on the balance between providing resources to those in need and maintaining public order. With an emphasis on support over punishment, we share how this proactive approach intends to tackle the root causes of homelessness. Also on the agenda is an upcoming ordinance that seeks to redefine access to city-owned facilities, ensuring public spaces remain peaceful and efficient.
We end our episode on an inspiring note to talk about our officer's life-saving response to an opioid crisis. This story underscores the unwavering commitment of our team, prioritizing the well-being of our citizens in critical moments and reinforcing our shared commitment to community partnerships.
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In this episode of the Cape CopCast 'Chief's Chat,' we're talking about the child abduction investigation and the 13-year-old arrested for armed robbery.
Hosts Lisa Greenberg and Officer Mercedes Simonds sit down with Chief Sizemore to discuss the role of social media in alerting the public of an incident, the importance of prioritizing accuracy and confirmed information while remaining timely in communicating with the public, and the collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies.
We also shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes behind the scenes—911 Operators and Telecommunicators. From managing emergency calls to providing life-saving guidance, these men and women are integral to public safety. For those considering a career in law enforcement, we delve into the opportunities available right after high school, highlighting paths that lead from telecommunication roles to becoming a police officer. With full-time benefits, career advancement, and educational support, a rewarding journey in public safety awaits those eager to serve.
To learn more about career opportunities, go to: www.CapeCops.com
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In this episode of the Cape CopCast "Chief's Chat" edition, we're giving you updates on several major projects within the Cape Coral Police Department. We're gearing up for the annual NAMI Walk, benefitting the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Chief Sizemore, the king of analogies, then illustrates the progress of Project 35 using the analogy of building a snowman. We also talk about entering the design and development phase of our police precinct buildings, which will be in each of the four quadrants of the city.
We also recount a tale that exemplifies the power of teamwork and the spirit of Cape Coral. When a local gentleman experienced cardiac arrest, a quick-thinking family member and our dedicated police and fire rescue teams came together to save his life. We talk about reuniting with the man and his family, complete with plans for a future golf outing. It's stories like these that make us pause and appreciate the unique teamwork that thrives in our community.
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