News Summary
The Tampa Police Department has announced a $10,000 increase in funding for its C.A.R.E.S. grant program, totaling $45,000. This funding will support ten local nonprofit organizations, with the grant ceremony set for June 5. The announcement follows a series of street takeovers that led to criminal charges in Hillsborough County. Meanwhile, a tragic incident in St. Petersburg illustrates the need for public awareness regarding child safety in vehicles, as Florida ranks second in child deaths from hot cars.
Tampa – The Tampa Police Department (TPD) has announced an increase in funding for its C.A.R.E.S. (Community and Resources Enhancing Success) grant program to support community initiatives. The funding has risen by $10,000 to a total of $45,000, with the grant ceremony scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2025. This year’s program will provide financial assistance to ten local nonprofit organizations, including established groups like Children with a Vision and the newly added Learn and Serve Tampa, Inc.
This announcement comes in the wake of a series of reckless street takeovers that took place over Labor Day weekend in Hillsborough County, resulting in nearly a dozen individuals facing criminal charges. These events were promoted on social media, drawing large crowds in downtown Tampa and Riverview for dangerous driving activities. Participants in these takeovers have been informed that they will face arrest and that their vehicles will be impounded, following the implementation of a new law allowing law enforcement to seize cars involved in reckless driving.
One significant incident in Riverview led to around 10 arrests, including two minors aged 17. In a separate situation in downtown Tampa, an 18-year-old was taken into custody for performing reckless driving stunts. TPD Chief Lee Bercaw has made it clear that both participants and spectators of street takeovers are liable for criminal charges. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing; however, no injuries have been reported as a result of the street takeovers.
On the same day as the grant announcement, tragedy struck in St. Petersburg when a one-year-old boy lost his life after being left in a car for several hours. Upon returning to retrieve his son from the Bayfront Health Child Development Center, the father discovered that he had not dropped the child off prior to his appointment. Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate the child, but he was officially pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death, and on that hot summer day, temperatures had reached 91 degrees, well above the seasonal average.
Florida has earned a troubling distinction, ranking second in the United States for deaths of children left in hot cars. These tragedies often occur because children are inadvertently forgotten in vehicles. Legislative efforts, such as the passing of Ariya’s Law, have been established to raise public awareness about child endangerment in vehicles, particularly inspired by the heartbreaking case of a 10-month-old girl who died after being left in a car.
Officials continue to encourage parents and caregivers to develop strategies to remind them to check their vehicles for children before leaving. In addition to this issue, Florida lawmakers are also working on proposals aimed at holding gun owners accountable for leaving firearms in unlocked cars. With gun thefts occurring nationwide at an alarming rate of one every 15 minutes, Tampa saw approximately 200 such incidents last year alone.
A prior house bill introduced in 2024 sought to penalize gun owners who left their weapons unsecured, but it did not pass. State Representative Dan Daley is dedicated to advocating for legislation to combat gun-related crime and emphasize the importance of responsible gun ownership to mitigate the risks associated with firearms being stolen from vehicles.
The TPD’s commitment to community engagement through the C.A.R.E.S. grant program aims to foster positive development initiatives while confronting the growing concerns regarding public safety and child well-being.
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Additional Resources
- WFLA: TPD Holds C.A.R.E.S. Grant Ceremony
- Wikipedia: Community Service
- Fox 13: TPD & HCSO Vehicles Burglarized
- Google Search: Child Safety in Cars
- Fox 13: One-Year-Old Found Dead in Hot Car
- Google Scholar: Gun Thefts Florida
- Fox 13: Labor Day Weekend Street Takeovers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Safety
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
