Public Safety

Police, fire, emergency and public safety news

Pasco County Declares Local State of Emergency as Dengue Fever Spreads Across Tampa Bay

Commissioners gave county officials emergency powers for seven days as Pasco confirms two dengue cases and neighboring Hillsborough County reports its first death from the mosquito-borne virus.

Sep 243 min read

Public Safety

E-Bike Battery Sparks Fire That Destroys New Port Richey Home, Kills Family Dog

A recently purchased aftermarket e-bike battery began "venting" before flames tore through a house on Grouper Lane, displacing four adults and two children and killing their dog, Pasco County Fire Rescue says.

Sep 213 min read

Public Safety

Semi-Truck Hits Stopped School Bus on US-301 Near Dade City, Injuring Four

A tractor-trailer swerved to avoid a stopped Hyundai and instead struck the vehicle and a Pasco County school bus loading students, hurting a 13-year-old boy and three others near Desrosier Road.

Sep 172 min read

Public Safety

Bail Bondsman Shot Six Times, Two Deputies Hurt in Wesley Chapel Apartment Ambush

A bondsman survived being shot six times with an AR-15 during a warrant arrest at The Enclave apartments, and two Pasco deputies were struck by shrapnel before the suspect took his own life.

Sep 153 min read

Public Safety

3,200-Gallon Chemical Spill at Duke Energy's Anclote Plant in Holiday Raises Water Safety Questions

A fallen ladder broke a valve overnight, spilling roughly 3,200 gallons of an irritant chemical outside the Holiday power plant. Duke Energy and state regulators say none of it reached the Anclote River.

Aug 313 min read

Public Safety

Sheriff Nocco to Remove Pasco's Road-Facing License Plate Cameras by Sept. 30

Sheriff Chris Nocco says he'll end the county's interlocal agreement for Flock license plate readers after commissioners pulled their support, warning the move will hurt investigations and searches for missing people.

Aug 294 min read

Public Safety

Lightning Destroys Wesley Chapel Apartment Building; 200 Residents Displaced and a 25-Minute Delay Before 911

A three-alarm fire sparked by lightning gutted a building at the Cobalt Apartments on Jermyn Loop, condemning the structure and putting roughly 200 people out of their homes. Investigators say nobody called 911 for about 25 minutes.

Aug 224 min read

Public Safety

Wesley Chapel's Fire Station 2 Celebrates Its Opening Tonight on CR 54, With Response Times Cut Roughly in Half

Pasco County Fire Rescue cuts the ribbon at 4 p.m. Friday at 32134 CR 54, then throws open the bay doors until 7 for station tours, firefighter meet-and-greets and safety booths. The 13,840-square-foot station houses Engine 2, Rescue 2 and Investigator 2.

Aug 144 min read

Public Safety

Speed Crackdown Hits Pasco Roads This Week: Operation Southern Slow Down Runs July 13–18

Extra patrols are targeting speeders on I-75, U.S. 19 and state highways through Saturday. Here's what Pasco drivers need to know — including Florida's tough new "super speeder" penalties.

Jul 143 min read

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Public Safety

A Toddler Drowned at Pasco's SunWest Park During the Scallop Fest — and Families Want to Know Who Was Watching the Water

A 3-year-old boy died after drowning at SunWest Park in Hudson during the Scallop and Music Festival. As the county sends condolences and its investigation continues, parents are asking what water-safety steps are in place before the festival's next weekends.

Jul 84 min read

Public Safety

Man Fighting for His Life After Lightning Strike at Lake Jovita in Dade City

A man was critically injured Monday afternoon when lightning struck him in the Palmilla Circle area inside the Lake Jovita community. First responders performed CPR at the scene as storms moved through the area.

Jul 73 min read

Public Safety

Lightning Strike Sparks House Fire on Ivy Lake Drive in Odessa, No Injuries Reported

Pasco County Fire Rescue crews knocked down a residential structure fire on Ivy Lake Drive in Odessa after a lightning strike ignited the home. Everyone got out safely.

Jul 43 min read