Pensacola Police Chief Covers FLOCK Success, Mall Takeover Response and New Deputy Chief

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom joined Pensacola Morning News Thursday with several updates — including a FLOCK camera success story, lessons learned from the Cordova Mall teen takeover, and the naming of a new deputy chief.

FLOCK Cameras Deliver Results

Winstrom highlighted a domestic violence case from last weekend as a direct example of FLOCK license plate reader cameras earning their keep. Officers responding to a near-strangulation call used the cameras to quickly determine the suspect's direction of travel and take him into custody. Upon arrest, officers found felony distribution level oxycontin, cocaine, and a large amount of cash — revealing the suspect was also a narcotics dealer. Winstrom says the case directly connects domestic violence and the opioid trade — the same connection that justified using opioid settlement funds to purchase the cameras.

Cordova Mall Takeover

Winstrom acknowledged communication between PPD and mall management could have been better during last week's teen takeover event that drew up to 500 young people. He says two arrests were made and 15 trespass warnings were issued — but notes that disorderly behavior on private property limits what officers can do without the property owner's direction. School resource officers are now being used to reach young organizers directly, and Winstrom says a better plan is in place going forward.

New Deputy Chief

Twenty-two year PPD veteran Matt Coverdale has been named deputy chief. Winstrom says Coverdale's institutional knowledge of the department complements his own outside perspective — and says Coverdale is already leading the department's push for a public-facing crime data dashboard.