New Smyrna Beach Police Department

09/03/2026

Thinking of our neighbors at the Port Orange Police Department today. 💙

We are thankful all of their officers and staff are safe following this morning's incident.

On September 3, 2026, at approximately 8:30am, there was a shooting inside of the Port Orange Police Department lobby. There is no threat to the community. All Officers and employees are safe and accounted for. The investigation is ongoing. Additional details will be forthcoming.

The lobby will remain closed for the remainder of the investigation.

For any further press inquiries, please contact Mike Wallace in the Port Orange Police Department’s Public Affairs Office at 386-506-5885.

09/02/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐦𝐲𝐫𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲

Since Monday, August 31, 2026, all automated license plate readers (ALPRs) within the City of New Smyrna Beach have been deactivated.

The New Smyrna Beach Police Department is reviewing the State of Florida’s recent memorandums regarding the use of license plate reader technology and evaluating the appropriate steps moving forward. The department will comply with all plans and guidelines established by the state, including those pertaining to equipment located within state rights-of-way.

License plate readers have served as a valuable investigative tool, recently assisting our officers and detectives in capturing vehicle burglars in Venetian Bay, apprehending a shooting suspect, a multi-jurisdictional business burglar and a carjacker, locating hit-and-run vehicles, and more.

License plate reader technology has been in use in New Smyrna Beach since 2019, and the department has had zero allegations of misuse. We recognize the importance of ensuring that public safety technology is used responsibly and in a manner that respects the privacy and trust of our community.

Ultimately, we are public servants, and as this issue has recently created significant public discourse, we will take this opportunity to evaluate our next steps while remaining steadfast in serving with honor and integrity and protecting our community.

09/02/2026

Today marks 35 years since New Smyrna Beach firefighters Mark Wilkes and Doug Sapp made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on September 2, 1991.

Every Friday, members of NSBFD gather for Stormy’s Run in their memory. This week, the tradition was moved to Wednesday to honor Mark and Doug on the 35th anniversary of their passing.

This morning, members of NSBPD joined the run in their honor, traveling from City Hall to the site of the former Stormy’s restaurant, where Island Roasters now stands.

We will never forget. ❤️💙❤️

09/01/2026

Join the City of New Smyrna Beach, New Smyrna Beach Fire Department and New Smyrna Beach Police Department as we come together to honor the lives lost and the extraordinary service and sacrifice shown on September 11, 2001.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and our community will gather for a remembrance ceremony on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Brannon Center. Doors will open at 8 a.m., with the ceremony beginning promptly at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The ceremony will include remarks from Mayor Fred Cleveland and Fire Chief John Flynn, a presentation of colors by the Volusia Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, performances by the Chisholm High School Alumni Legacy Choir, and a traditional bell ceremony and moment of silence. Brad “The Piper” will perform “Amazing Grace,” followed by Taps performed by James W. Hall III, U.S. Army (Ret.).

We invite our community to join us as we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, honor the first responders and civilians whose courage defined that day, and reflect on the unity and resilience that followed.

📅 Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
🚪 Doors open at 8 a.m.
🔔 Ceremony begins at 8:46 a.m.
📍 Brannon Center, 105 S. Riverside Drive

08/27/2026

At 10:51 this morning, a plane crash was reported in the ocean just off New Smyrna Beach. Witnesses reported a small banner plane crashed into the water. The pilot was able to climb out without life-threatening injuries. The pilot was the sole occupant, and no others were involved or injured in the crash. The FAA/NTSB has been notified of the incident and will be handling the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

08/25/2026

🎓 Welcome to the team, Officer Scott Klindt! 🚔

Officer Klindt is one of our newest officers and recently graduated from the Daytona State College Basic Law Enforcement Academy, where he earned several impressive honors:
🏆 Academic Award – Highest GPA
⭐ Leadership Award – Squad Leader
🎯 Outstanding Performance in Fi****ms

We’re proud to welcome Officer Klindt to our agency and congratulate him on an outstanding academy performance. We look forward to seeing all he accomplishes as he begins his law enforcement career!

08/24/2026

UPDATE: The roadway has reopened.

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT 🚨

US-1 northbound is currently closed at Smith Street (near the Cemex plant) due to a crash. Only one southbound lane is currently open.

Please use an alternate route.

08/22/2026

𝐍𝐒𝐁𝐏𝐃 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐦𝐲𝐫𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞

On August 7, the New Smyrna Beach Police Department was contacted by New Smyrna Beach High School administration regarding allegations of inappropriate online communications involving a school employee and an individual who represented themselves as a minor.

NSBPD immediately opened an investigation, which remains active and ongoing. The employee involved has not been on the New Smyrna Beach High School campus at any point during the current school year when students were present.

A video related to these allegations has since been posted online and is now circulating on social media. We understand the serious nature of the allegations and the concern the video may generate within our community.

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any criminal violations occurred.

Because this remains an active investigation, additional details are limited at this time. NSBPD will provide further information when appropriate.

Anyone with additional information please contact Detective Daly-Alvarez at [email protected].

08/20/2026

𝐍𝐒𝐁𝐏𝐃 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭

New Smyrna Beach police officers helped bring a dangerous multi-agency incident to a safe conclusion Thursday afternoon after a fleeing carjacking suspect entered the city, drove into oncoming traffic and endangered motorists along State Road 44.

At approximately 12:50 p.m. on Aug. 20, NSBPD officers responded to assist partner agencies attempting to stop a stolen vehicle connected to a carjacking earlier in Volusia County.

Body-worn camera footage shows an NSBPD officer attempting to deploy stop sticks as the suspect drove into oncoming traffic on SR 44 near Ocean Gate Boulevard, creating an immediate danger to motorists and officers. The suspect later collided with two vehicles near the I-95 overpass, attempted to forcibly enter another vehicle and fled on foot.

NSBPD Officers Fortier and Wulf pursued the suspect as he repeatedly looked back and reached toward his waistband, raising concern that he could be reaching for a weapon. The officers showed restraint while continuing to issue verbal commands, and the suspect ultimately complied and was taken into custody without further incident. He was found to be unarmed.

The suspect was later identified as Scott Taylor. He was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail and faces multiple felony charges from several agencies.

The coordinated response between NSBPD and our partner law enforcement agencies helped bring a dangerous situation to an end without further harm to motorists or officers.

08/20/2026