PPD Unveils New Patrol Cars, Fiesta Parade Details and More — Mike Wood Joins Pensacola Morning News
Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Pensacola Police Department PIO Mike Wood joined Pensacola's Morning News Thursday with a packed update — including a new look for PPD patrol cars, Fiesta parade logistics, and an insider look at how red-light camera citations actually get processed.
New Silver Ford Explorer Patrol Cars
PPD is debuting a brand-new patrol vehicle today — switching from black and white Chevy Tahoes to silver Ford Explorers. The change saves the department approximately $9,000 per vehicle by eliminating the two-tone paint job, with additional savings from the lower price of the Explorer compared to the Tahoe and in-house graphics application. Wood says the overall fleet purchasing power is being extended by $140,000 through the switch.
Fiesta Parade Tomorrow
The Pensacola Fiesta parade rolls along Jefferson Street on Friday with road closures expected between 2 and 3 p.m. Wood says drivers traveling east and west should use Cervantes to avoid the downtown closure. Vehicles parked inside the security perimeter will be towed — the area is clearly marked with signage. Wood says locals are getting used to the setup and towing has rarely been necessary. He says PPD will work to clear the area as quickly as possible after the parade.
Red Light Cameras Still Active
Despite a South Florida court ruling striking down red-light cameras in that jurisdiction Pensacola's cameras remain fully operational. Wood says he personally reviews 50 to 75 citations per hour — rejecting 10 to 20 percent when circumstances show a good faith stop attempt. He says 20 to 30 percent of what he sees are outright blatant violations with drivers running lights at 45 to 55 miles per hour. Civil citations start at $158 but rise to $258 if converted to a state citation — which does affect your driver's license and insurance. Drivers who feel they were cited unjustly can request a hearing and challenge the citation in person.
Child Crimes Arrest — Mandatory Reporting Reminder
A 45-year-old Pensacola man has been charged with crimes against a child under the age of 12. Wood used the arrest to remind the public that failure to report suspected child abuse is a crime in Florida — all adults are mandatory reporters and failure to act can result in criminal charges. The abuse hotline is 1-800-962-2873.
Chief Winstrom Two Months In
Wood says Chief Eric Winstrom is settling in well — hasn't taken a day off since arriving, is actively engaging with the public and media, and is described by all three PPD PIOs as a great breath of fresh air. Wood says Winstrom likes to be out front and that's exactly the kind of leadership the department needed.
Missing Persons Myth
Wood used the occasion to debunk one of the most persistent law enforcement myths on television — the 72-hour waiting period before reporting a missing person. Wood says there is no such requirement and never has been. He says report immediately — especially for children — because seconds and minutes matter.
