<![CDATA[Vero Beach Police Department - VBPD Blog]]>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:42:00 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[PRESS RELEASE]]>Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:48:04 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/press-releaseArrest of Former Police Officer Christian Butterfield

On June 3, 2024, I ordered the commencement of an internal investigation into an incident involving Vero Beach Police Officer Christian Butterfield. The internal investigation was to focus on any possible policy violations regarding a traffic stop that occurred on June 1, 2024 shortly after 1 a.m. Upon review of Officer Butterfield’s Body Worn Camera, it was determined that a criminal investigation would be necessary. During the course of the internal investigation, Ofc. Butterfield resigned. The criminal investigation continued and Mr. Butterfield was ultimately charged with 1 felony count of tampering with evidence. Mr. Butterfield turned himself into the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office on June 19, 2024 and was released on a $10,000 bond. The internal investigation is still ongoing.

Christian Butterfield was hired by the Vero Beach Police Department on 10/9/2023 and was assigned to road patrol.

Please see the attached Affidavit for details.
]]><![CDATA[A Message from the City of Vero Beach Water & Sewer Department]]>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:15:07 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/a-message-from-the-city-of-vero-beach-water-sewer-departmentDear residents of Vero Beach,

We hope this message finds you well. The City of Vero Beach has been experiencing high water demand due to irrigation, which has put a strain on our water supply. In order to ensure sustainable water usage and maintain adequate supply, we have implemented water conservation measures.

Effective immediately, we kindly request that our valued customers who are irrigating using potable water refrain from doing so over the upcoming weekend (4/19/2024 - 4/22/2024). By conserving water during this period, we can collectively contribute to the preservation of our precious water resources.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Let’s work together to keep Vero Beach thriving while being mindful of our environment.

Best regards, The City of Vero Beach Water and Sewer Department

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the City of Vero Beach Water and Sewer Department at 772-978-5220 or wsadmin@covb.org
]]><![CDATA[Public Notification (CFA Assessment) - 2023]]>Thu, 20 Jul 2023 17:09:35 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/public-notification-cfa-assessment-2023ACCREDITATION TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT
 (Vero Beach Police Department)
Vero Beach Police Department:  A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will be conducting a full on-site assessment to examine all aspects of the Vero Beach Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, from August 22-24, 2023 Chief David E. Currey announced today.  The Vero Beach Police Department has to comply with approximately 236 standards in order to receive accredited status.  Many of the standards are critical to life, health and safety issues.
 
As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team.  A copy of the standards are available through The Vero Beach Police Department’s Public Information Officer at 772-978-4649.
 
For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the Vero Beach Police Department’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write: CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida  32302, or email to info@flaccreditation.org.
 
The Accreditation Program Manager for the Vero Beach Police Department is Lieutenant Phil Huddy.  He said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies.  The assessors will review written materials; interview individuals and ask questions to verify compliance with standards.  The CFA Assessment Team Leader is Ms. Nicole Minick of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.  Other team members include Ms. Kaylee Licata of the Punta Gorda Police Department and Captain Sanfa Johnson of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
 
Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to receive accredited status.  The Vero Beach Police Department’s accreditation is for 3 years.  Verification by the team that the Vero Beach Police Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation--a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, Chief David E. Currey said.
]]><![CDATA[Important changes regarding the operation of golf carts within the State of Florida.]]>Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:48:06 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/important-changes-regarding-the-operation-of-golf-carts-within-the-state-of-floridaLast month Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law H.B. 949 (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/949), which will take effect on October 1, 2023, that governs the operation of a golf carts by person under the age of 18.

Per H.B. 949, golf cart drivers under the age of 18 MUST be at least 15 years old with a learner’s permit, or 16 with a driver’s license. In addition, they must possess a valid form of government-issues photographic identification.

With this upcoming change, we would also like to remind residents of our own local ordinances regarding the operation of golf carts within the City of Vero Beach. Within the city limits of Vero Beach, golf carts can lawfully be operated, without title/registration/insurance, on designated roads indicated by ordinance here:https://library.municode.com/fl/vero_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPAGEOR_CH74TRVE_ARTVIGOCA_S74-192DEST (reference attached image).

To operate a golf cart on any other roadway, it is then considered a “Low Speed Vehicle” (LSV) and it would then need to be registered, titled and insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance, per Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (see attached info on LSV)
]]><![CDATA[EO 14074 - Notification to Civilian Governing Body and Local Community]]>Mon, 09 Jan 2023 19:36:06 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/eo-14074-notification-to-civilian-governing-body-and-local-communityOn May 25, 2022, President Biden signed Presidential Executive Order (EO) 14074 “Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety.”

In accordance with EO 14074 (Section 12), State, Tribal, local, and Territorial Law Enforcement agencies (LEAs) must:
  1. Notify their Civilian Governing Body (CGB) of their intent to request property from Federal sources (including Federal funds or grants) and
  2. the local community of their request for property transfers, purchases from Federal funds, agencies or subcontractors (including existing transfer contracts or grants).

The Vero Beach Police Department may request the below controlled property items from the Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO), or other Federal source:
ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV)    DECONTAMINATION SYSTEM    NAVIGATION SET, SATELLITE SIGNALS    AMMUNITION CONTAINER    DETECTOR, GAS    NIGHT VISION DEVICE    AMPLIFIER    FACEMASK    NIGHT VISION GOGGLE    ANALYZER, HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION    FLASHLIGHTS    NON-ARMORED HMMWV    ANTENNA    FLOODLIGHT    OFFICE EQUIPMENT    ARMORED VEHICLE    FORWARD LOOKING INFRARED IMAGING SYSTEM OFFICE SUPPLIES    BALLISTIC BLANKET    GENERATOR SET    PORTABLE RADIO    BARRIER, VEHICLE ARRESTING, PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SATELLITE (GPS)    PREFAB & PORTABLE BUILDINGS    BINOCULAR    HEAVY EQUIPMENT/VEHICLES    PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR    BLANKETS    INSULATION BLANKET    PUBLIC ADDRESS SET    BREATHING APPARATUS    LIFE PRESERVER, VEST    RADIOS    CAMERA SYSTEM    MAGNIFIER    RANGE FINDER, LASER    COMPASS    MARKER, IDENTIFICATION    RANGE FINDER-TARGET DESIGNATOR, LASER COMPUTER SYSTEM    MARKSMANSHIP TRAINER    RED DOT SIGHT    CONTAINER, AMMUNITION    MEDICAL/FIRST AID SUPPLIES    RIFLESCOPE    CONTAINER, K-9 TRANSPORT    MISC SMALL ARMS PARTS    SCANNER, X-RAY, BAGGAGE    CONVERSION KIT, RIFLE    MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT    SEARCHLIGHT    DECONTAMINATION DEVICES    MULTIMEDIA PROJECTION SET    SHIELD, BALLISTIC   

Pursuant to EO 14074 (Section 12), this memo fulfills the requirement to notify the Civilian Governing Body (CGB) and Local Community of my agency’s intent to request the controlled property items identified in the list above.
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]]><![CDATA[Vero Beach Airshow - 2022 - Road Closure]]>Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:40:43 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/vero-beach-airshow-2022-road-closureAs most of our Vero Beach Residents and visitors are aware, this is Vero Beach Air Show WEEK! The U.S. Navy Blue Angels along with numerous other exciting performers and static displays will be on hand at the Vero Beach Regional Airport.

We are so excited for this highly anticipated event. Due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the area west of the runways on 43rd Ave. (Air Box) will be closed during the following dates and times and there is absolutely no through traffic. This is for the safety of the pilots and the spectators.

Air Box (Active):
• Thursday, April 28: 11:30am – 4:30pm
• Friday, April 29: 11:30am – 4:30pm & 6:00pm – 9:30pm
• Saturday, April 30: 11:30am – 4:30pm
• Sunday, May 1: 11:30am – 4:30pm

Please pay attention to these road closures and be advised that after each show on Friday night (04/29/22) at approximately 9:30 PM, as well as on Saturday (04/30/22) at approximately 4:30 PM and Sunday (05/01/22) at approximately 4:30 PM, there will be heavy egress traffic from the event so please try to avoid the area if you are not enjoying the show and have patience as we facilitate the flushing out of all of the spectator vehicles.
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]]><![CDATA[RAD Defense Class for Women]]>Tue, 07 Dec 2021 15:27:25 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/rad-defense-class-for-women
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The Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D) System is a 12-hour program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. The course includes lecture, discussion and self-defense techniques suitable for women of all ages and abilities. Our courses are taught by nationally certified R.A.D. Instructors and we provide each student with a workbook/reference manual.

The R.A.D class is offered at no charge by the Vero Beach Police Department. Those who sign up must be a minimum of 12 years of age or older. You must commit to attending all scheduled days per program date to complete the course. Each class is limited, so register now and bring a family member or friend! The course will be taught at the Vero Beach Police Department, 1055 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960.
  • Students under 18 years of age, must have a parental consent form signed prior to attending class.
  • R.A.D. is a free, fun class for women only!
  • R.A.D. teaches you to defend yourself- stop depending on others!
  • R.A.D. is only 12 hours long, with the last 3 hours as a voluntary simulation!
  • R.A.D. teaches you to recognize dangerous situations- this could save your life!

The class dates and times are Monday, December 27th (lecture only), 28th, 29th & 30th, 2021 from 4pm to 8pm

To Register:
Please email the instructors for the course to receive the waivers/enrollment forms, or ask any questions you may have:
Cpl. Megan DeWitt mdewitt@vbpd.org or
Ofc. Greg Matakaetis gmatakaetis@vbpd.org

]]><![CDATA[Congratulations Chief Gabbard]]>Mon, 17 May 2021 13:05:31 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/congratulations-chief-gabbardFormer Vero Beach Police Chief James Gabbard was inducted into the 2020 Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame this past Saturday in Tallahassee. Chief Gabbard served as police chief in Vero Beach for 19 years before becoming the city manager until retiring in 2010.
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Congratulations Chief Gabbard!
]]><![CDATA[Crosswalk installed at Greytwig Rd & A1A]]>Tue, 10 Nov 2020 20:12:30 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/crosswalk-installed-at-greytwig-rd-a1aTo improve the safety for pedestrian traffic across A1A, FDOT Southeast Florida has recently installed and activated a crosswalk at Greytwig Rd. and A1A.

When a pedestrian activates this crosswalk, flashing lights will alert drivers to STOP allowing the pedestrians to cross A1A.

Over the next couple of weeks officers from the Vero Beach Police Department will increase our patrols of this area to make sure that drivers are following the law in relation to this new crosswalk.

Per F.S.S. 316.130(7)(b): The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
]]><![CDATA[***TRAFFIC ALERT*** ***CONSTRUCTION*** Alma Lee Loy (17th St.) Bridge – Duration 6 months]]>Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:21:42 GMThttps://www.vbpd.org/vbpd-blog/traffic-alert-construction-alma-lee-loy-17th-st-bridge-duration-6-monthsBeginning on Oct. 26 2020 construction will begin on the 17th St. Bridge at the intersection of 17th St & Indian River Blvd. This will result in each direction reduced to ONE lane.

On or around Nov. 2 2020 through Feb. 5 2021 the ENTIRE Westbound side of the bridge will be CLOSED. This will result in ALL traffic traveling on the EASTBOUND side, one lane for each direction.

On or around Feb. 5 2021 through April 5 2021 the ENTIRE Eastbound side of the bridge will be CLOSED. This will result in ALL traffic traveling on the WESTBOUND side, one lane for each direction.

This schedule is dependent on no delays caused by weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Please adjust your traveling plans as needed.

Any questions in regards to this project should be directed to
DBi Services - www.dbiservices.com
239-841-4163
8:00am - 4:00pm]]>