Dear DeSoto County, we are improving as we enter each new day. Your DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office continues to provide law enforcement services and is here for you and your family.
We are all working hard to bring our lives to a sense of the new normal. Please continue to be understanding of each other as we all try to address the many challenges facing our community each day.
I have seen many inspiring examples of neighbor helping neighbor, either through providing material items or just spending a few minutes talking to provide reassurance. Please continue looking out for one another and keep each other in your thoughts and prayers.
As Sheriff, it is always a comfort to be able to call upon my fellow Sheriffs from across our state for assistance when needed. As Sheriffs, we are all committed to the safety of our counties and the public across the State of Florida. Through our coordination with the Florida Sheriff’s Office Task Force and the Florida Sheriff’s Association, we were able to bring personnel from eighteen (18) Sheriff’s Offices, one (1) Police Department, and four (4) Florida State Law Enforcement organizations to assist with law enforcement, search and rescue, supply delivery, tarping, tree and debris removal as well as many other public safety mission requests. In addition, our dispatchers received assistance through the Tactical Emergency Response Team, who provided a Consolidated Dispatch Agency from Tallahassee as well. I can’t stress enough how vital our dispatchers were during this time period and how difficult it can be handling all the telephone and radio calls. Our local DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and Arcadia Police Department personnel worked hand in hand with all of the out-of-county help day and night. For your information, I have listed each Law Enforcement entity who came to DeSoto County to provide assistance. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they travel back home or continue on helping other affected counties.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Dixie County Sheriff’s Office
Bradford County Sheriff’s Office
Hardee County Sheriff’s Office
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office
Bay County Sheriff’s Office
Boynton Beach Police Department
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Highway Patrol
Florida Wildlife Commission
Chief Financial Officer Law Enforcement Investigators
Again, let’s stay positive and continue to help each other as we move forward each day!
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at (863) 993-4700 if we can assist you in any way. We are here for you, DeSoto.
Stay Safe, Be Kind, and God Bless.
Sheriff Potter