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News and Investigations
News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Jan 31, 2022
PCSO Traffic Unit conducts traffic safety initiative along I-4; highest speed recorded at 155 MPH
Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit conducted a year-long (2021) traffic safety
initiative on Interstate 4 in response to aggressive driving and excessive speeding within Polk County.
“According to the Teletrac Navman study, Interstate 4 is the most dangerous highway in the United States. It is our mission to keep you safe while in Polk County along this stretch of roadway in our county by enforcing the speed limit and arresting those who drive recklessly. Please, slow down and pay attention. Your life and safety are important to us.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
During the 2021 initiative, deputies:
*Stopped 5,014 vehicles for speeding or reckless driving
*Issued 3,790 citations, of those:
*257 drivers were issued citations for traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour, with the highest speed recorded being 155 miles per hour.
*1,490 drivers were issued citations for traveling between 90-99 miles per hour.
The speed limit on I-4 where it runs through Polk County fluctuates between 65 MPH or 70 MPH. Per Florida Statute 318.18(3)(b), the cost of a traffic citation for speeding in excess of 50 MPH on an Interstate is $1,104 and a required court appearance.
143 people were arrested during the initiative, for the following charges:
*Knowingly Driving With No Driver’s License
*Reckless Driving
*Racing
*Possession of Narcotics
*DUI
*DUI Manslaughter
*Violation of Injunction
The traffic safety initiative is on-going and will continue into 2022.