Following last weekend’s violence in Brandon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is taking a proactive stance to ensure the safety and well-being of our community this coming weekend.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is aware of social media posts encouraging violence and property damage this weekend.
In an effort to stop this before it starts, Sheriff Chad Chronister is assigning additional patrol deputies to high-risk areas, working closely with community leaders to foster open dialogue and deploy undercover deputies to ensure any agitators are swiftly stopped before anyone gets hurt or buildings sustain damage.
"We understand that emotions are running high after last weekend's events," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. "However, acts of violence and property damage only serve to hurt the very community we are all striving to protect. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is committed to maintaining peace and order throughout the county this weekend and beyond."
While Your Sheriff’s Office is monitoring social media and taking proactive measures to ensure safety, we can’t do it alone.
“Parents—I am calling on you. Please be informed about where your children are going and who they are with,” said Sheriff Chronister. “Please talk to them about the serious consequences of getting involved with this illegal and dangerous behavior. We encourage everyone to choose peace over violence."
If you see something suspicious or have information regarding potential threats, please do not hesitate to contact the HCSO immediately at 813-247-8200 or call 911 immediately in an emergency.
The investigation into the violence in Brandon last weekend continues as detectives work to identify the individual who called for the fighting and destruction. Any updates on this ongoing investigation will come from the Public Affairs Office.