Clermont’s Chief of Police Chuck Broadway was a recent guest speaker at the South Lake County Historical Society.  The Police Chief was a New York City Police Officer and a first responder during the September 11 terrorist attacks on the NYC Twin Towers.  He was a  detective with the Gainsville Police department before coming to Clermont.

Chief Broadway gave an update on the Clermont Police Department.

There are currently 74 men and women serving in the Clermont Police Department. These men and women serve in such capacities as patrolling the waterfront area on bike and throughout Clermont in their cars.  There is a SWAT team, plain-clothes unit, detectives, drug enforcement officers, and even a canine unit with a German Shepherd, who is from Germany and takes commands in both German and English,  

In addition to policing, the department has crossing guards, a records department, a mental-health crisis-intervention program providing therapeutic intervention versus arrest and so much more

The department sponsors a US Navy Sea Cadet program and an Explorer Unit that meets every Monday night and works with young people to help them learn how to make right choices and impact the lives of others. The department is also an active participant in Clermont’s annual Citizens’ Academy

In all its efforts to maintain peace and safety in the community, the department’s main focus is on enhancing the quality of life through cooperative efforts with the citizens.  
Some services that are designed to promote safety are:  A dropbox, located in the lobby of police headquarters, where individuals can dispose of unwanted prescriptions, free gun locks, and 24-hour “Safe Zone Transactions” Area.  
 The members of the South Lake County Historical Society and their friends who had a chance to hear Chief Broadway came away with a new appreciation for the local law enforcement officers and what they do every day to ensure the safety of the community.
 
 The Historical Society has joined with the city of Clermont to offer residents a unique opportunity to experience what life was like in South Lake County in the past.  The Clermont police department began in 1922, but people had been living here long before that.  In fact, the Kern House, which can be seen at the Historic Village, was built in 1883. 
The Village is open every Friday from 1 pm to 3 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Admission to the Village is free; however, a donation of $2.00 per adult is requested. 

If you are interested in history in general or the history of Lake County in particular, contact the South Lake County Historical Society by going to our website, ClermontVillage.org; by calling Roxanne Brown, Village Manager, at 352-593-8496; or by attending our membership meetings which are held on the second Monday of the month at 7 pm in the Train Depot in the Historic Village.   

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