Holmes Beach Police Department

10/23/2026

🚨 OFFICIALLY ACCREDITED! 🚨

We are incredibly proud to announce a major milestone for our department and community. On October 22nd, 2026, the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation voted unanimously to approve the Holmes Beach Police Department as an accredited law enforcement agency! 🎖️

For the past several years, our dedicated team has worked tirelessly through this rigorous assessment process. Achieving state accreditation is a massive honor that demonstrates our agency's unwavering commitment to professionalism, accountability, and excellence in protecting and serving Holmes Beach.

This accomplishment reflects the hard work of every single officer and staff member, as well as the continuous support from our community and city leadership. Thank you for standing alongside us as we continually strive to meet the highest standards of public safety! 👮‍♂️🚔✨
________________________________________
📸 Pictured (left to right):
• Stacy Lehman, CFA Executive Director
• Judy Titsworth, Holmes Beach Mayor
• Bill Tokajer, Holmes Beach Police Chief
• Areaka Jewell, HBPD Accreditation Manager
• Brian Hall, HBPD Lieutenant
• Bill Leeper, CFA Board Chair & Nassau County Sheriff

10/21/2026

🎁✨ Give the Gift of Hope This Holiday Season! ✨🎁

As the holiday season approaches, Manatee Children's Services is once again launching our annual Holiday Project, a community tradition that brings joy, comfort, and hope to children and families impacted by abuse and neglect. ❤️

Through the Holiday Project, individuals, families, businesses, and community groups can sponsor a child and help make the season brighter for children receiving services through MCS. 🌟

Here is how you can help:
• 💰 Sponsor a Child: For $100 per child, sponsors can provide gifts through monetary donations, gift cards, new store-bought items from a child's wish list, or items from our Amazon Wish List.
• 💳 Donate Gift Cards: While every gift makes a difference, gift cards are especially appreciated! They provide flexibility for caregivers and allow children and families to choose items that best meet their needs and wishes.
• 🍽️ Provide Holiday Meals: Help us supply festive meals for local families in need.
• 🧦 Sponsor a Holiday Stocking: Brighten a child's morning with a personalized holiday stocking.

For many years, the generosity of our community has helped make the holidays brighter for hundreds of local children. With your support, we can ensure that children who have endured difficult circumstances experience the joy, warmth, and hope they deserve this holiday season. 🕊️🎄

Chief Tokajer has served as the President for MCS for many years and he appreciates your help! Manatee Children's Services, Inc MCS Child Advocacy Center

https://www.manateechildrensservices.com/mcs-holiday-project/?bbeml=tp-ksUuFL_jvEWpSwmTI5y6LA.jGFaLRKxBJkefxCg8iQtHAw.r1sY-yBkOr0SvIJub40WQKA.lFE7rODtRdkauoayvnnpcpg

💻 Get Involved Today: To learn more or sponsor a child, contact [email protected] or visit the MCS website. Together, we can make a difference in our community!

10/21/2026

Scamming to the Max! 🛑📱

Picture this: a web page on your feed catches your eye with exciting AI news. Anthropic has surpassed 100 million users and is giving out 10,000 free one-month subscriptions of Claude Max to show their appreciation.

The web page looks official, with Claude's logo, colors, and five-star reviews. A countdown shows that the 10,000 free subscriptions are running out, so the free upgrade feels urgent. You click the claim link on the website, looking forward to getting your free subscription.
But this giveaway is actually a phishing scam! 🎣❌

As you try to claim the free subscription, a Google sign-in page opens, prompting you to enter your email address. But this login page is fake, and so is the Anthropic page. If you enter your Google login information, cybercriminals could gain access to your email, documents, and password.

Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to this fake Claude Max giveaway:

👉 If you see a special offer from Anthropic, open Claude's official website yourself by typing the address or using a bookmark, then look for the offer there.
👉 Check the address bar at the top of your browser. Don’t enter any personal information unless you're sure that you're on an official website.
👉 If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always stop and think before you click.

10/15/2026

10/07/2026

🚨 SCAM OF THE WEEK: Invoice Approved, Scam Confirmed 🚨

You’re at work when an email arrives that appears to come from your CEO or another company executive, asking you to pay an invoice immediately.

The email includes:
• A forwarded annual subscription invoice with bank transfer instructions.
• A realistic email conversation history between the executive and the vendor.

It seems completely real, so you may be inclined to pay it right away. But stop and think!

This email is actually a highly sophisticated phishing scam, and both the invoice and the forwarded conversation are entirely fake. Cybercriminals target many organizations with these emails by simultaneously impersonating both the executive and the vendor. They hope the message looks real enough that you will pay without double-checking. If you make this payment, the money goes straight to a bank account controlled by cybercriminals.

🛡️ Follow these tips to avoid this executive phishing scam:

• Confirm the request directly: Verify any payment request with the sender by phone or in person. Always use a contact number you already know is real, not the one listed in the email.
• Stick to standard protocols: Follow your organization's official payment approval process for every single invoice, no matter who appears to approve it.
• Report suspicious emails: Report any unexpected email that asks for a large sum of money, no matter who sent it, by following your organization's internal procedures.

Don't let cybercriminals fool you—always verify before you pay!

Online

10/05/2026

🚨 POLICE BUDGET & COMMUNITY SAFETY: A Message from Chief William Tokajer 🚨
As we enter an election season, the police department budget has once again become a talking point. I want to share some critical data regarding the reality of policing in Holmes Beach.

📈 The Visitor Surge
Over the past 365 days, Holmes Beach welcomed 8.1 million visitors. This does not include our full-time residents or international travelers. It averages out to 22,191 people per day.
To give you an idea of our daily population swells, here are the average daily visitor counts by month so far in 2026:
• January: 13,748
• February: 15,685
• March: 30,336
• April: 27,110
• May: 25,703
• June: 33,333
• July: 38,709
• August: 23,419
* September 15,823

🚔 The Staffing Reality
According to the FBI, the national average is 2.4 sworn officers per 1,000 inhabitants. For small cities under 10,000 residents, that average is even higher, ranging from 3.8 to 4.2 officers per 1,000.

Let's look at the math:
• Based on our lowest visitor month (January) and the standard national average (2.4), we should have 33 sworn officers.
• Based on that same low month and the small-city average (3.8 ), we should have 52 sworn officers.
Instead, the Holmes Beach Police Department operates with just 20 sworn officers total—including myself, our lieutenant, a detective, and our school resource officer.
⚡ Doing More With Less
This leaves us with just 16 officers for patrol. Those 16 dedicated officers answer approximately 11,000 to 13,000 calls for service every single year. Despite these staffing constraints, our team has successfully reduced UCR crimes by 77.9% over the past 13 years.
I firmly believe that Holmes Beach is one of the safest cities you will find, and that is entirely due to the hard work and professionalism of the officers, dispatchers, and civilian employees we employ. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our community safe.

— Chief William Tokajer, Holmes Beach Police Department

10/05/2026

Security Hints & Tips: Protecting Healthcare from Ransomware 🛑💻

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that blocks access to your computer or network by encrypting your data. Cybercriminals then demand a ransom payment in exchange for restoring your access. It is extremely disruptive, highly costly, and poses a severe threat to organizations worldwide.
Why Healthcare Organizations are High-Value Targets 🏥

Cybercriminals frequently target hospitals and healthcare providers because they store massive amounts of valuable personal data and deliver critical, time-sensitive services. When ransomware strikes a healthcare facility, the consequences go far beyond financial loss—it directly impacts patient care:

• Compromised Access: Doctors and nurses lose access to vital medical records.
• Emergency Disruptions: Ambulances must sometimes be diverted to other facilities, delaying critical treatment.
• Life-Threatening Risks: The disruption caused by these cyberattacks has been directly linked to tragic delays in care and patient harm.

Who Else is a Target?

While healthcare is a frequent target, any organization can be a victim. Cybercriminals prioritize data and money, selecting their targets solely based on how much profit they think they can extract.

🛑 What You Can Do to Stay Safe

Protecting your organization starts with simple, daily security habits. Follow these essential tips:
• Keep Software Updated: Always follow your IT department’s recommendations for updates. Ransomware easily exploits older software that lacks the latest security patches.
• Be Skeptical of Emails: Treat unexpected links or attachments with extreme caution. Ransomware most commonly spreads through phishing emails.
• Act Fast: If you suspect your computer has been infected by ransomware, disconnect from the network immediately and contact your IT or security team for further instructions.

Stay vigilant. Protect your data, protect your team, and protect your patients!

10/02/2026

Go support a great cause and see some nice cars 🚗🚙🚓🚘

JOIN US TOMORROW!

Flight To The North Pole, a Manatee Sheriff's Charity benefitting terminally ill children, is hosting an American Car Show tomorrow, Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. It will be a fun day featuring an incredible lineup of vehicles, great food, vendors, and live music. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for something fun to do, we'd love to see you there!

The event is open to the public and FREE to attend. There is a $20 entry fee for those wishing to showcase their car. (Advance registration is not required. Payment can be made during check-in on October 3rd.) All proceeds benefit Flight To The North Pole and the Manatee Sheriff's Charity!

For questions on the event, email [email protected].

10/02/2026

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance

Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Impacted individuals with insurance are encouraged to apply.

Individual Assistance is available in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor and Wakulla counties. Individuals can apply in multiple ways: · Apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov · Download the FEMA mobile app

Florida homeowners and renters who registered for FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricane Helene should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track.

Survivors should update contact information as soon as possible because FEMA may need to reach them to perform virtual home inspections or get additional information.

FEMA encourages survivors to request direct deposits of disaster assistance to their financial institution. Survivors should let FEMA know as soon as possible of any changes to their banking information.

It’s important to note that FEMA disaster assistance checks cannot be forwarded. If you cannot access your home address, you can request the postal service to hold your mail. Recovery Resources for Residents

· Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers. The number is 833-514-2940

· Samaritan's Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234

o Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster.

o Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work & Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.

· 2-1-1 is open and ready to receive calls

o Individuals can call for up-to-the-minute information including school closures and sandbag distributions.

o Local Social Services Referral.

· Red Cross Hotline is open to assist survivors: 1-800-Red Cros (733-2767)

· Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123

o Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster.

o Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work and Muck outs

· Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386

· Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time

09/30/2026

🚨 SCAM OF THE WEEK: Small Fee, Big Catch 🚨
You’re scrolling through your emails, and suddenly you read one that says your package couldn't be delivered because a small customs fee wasn’t paid. The email says you need to pay the fee through a link in the email right away so the package can be delivered.
The fee is just a few dollars, so you may be tempted to pay it to get your package. But this email is actually a phishing scam! 🛑
If you select the link in the email, you’ll be taken to a website, which will prompt you to enter your name, contact information, credit card details, and other banking information. If you enter your information, cybercriminals can use it to make fraudulent purchases or even sell it to other scammers!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to this phishing scam:
📌 Check the Source Natively
If you’re expecting a package and haven’t received it, go directly to the package delivery service’s official app or website and use your tracking number.
📌 Watch for Financial Red Flags
Be wary if a message asks for your credit card number to cover a small delivery fee. Legitimate customs charges don't require that much financial information.
📌 Pause Before You Pay
Always stop and think before you act! If an email asks for an unexpected payment, that’s a major red flag.
Stay safe out there, and share this post to protect your friends and family! 🛡️💻