Port Orange Police Department

09/04/2026

UPDATE IN REFERENCE TO THE OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING 09/03/2026

Earlier this morning, we learned that Linda Croteau passed away. Our thoughts are with our officers, employees, Ms. Croteau’s family, and everyone else affected by the shooting.

In the interest of transparency and to help dispel misinformation, we are releasing video and audio from the incident.

The video shows Ms. Croteau entering the lobby with a handgun, pointing it at employees, and firing toward an evidence room where staff were present. She later exits the lobby with the gun, toward the parking lot where civilians and responding officers are located. Officers give repeated commands for her to drop the weapon, but she continues to advance toward the officers in the parking lot who fire several rounds. Officers stop firing when she drops her weapon, and they continue to issue commands to get her to surrender.

The video then shows Ms. Croteau on the ground reaching for her weapon as officers are commanding her to surrender before officers fire again. Officers hurried over to provide aid, and she was transported to the hospital.

We support our officers and their actions in this dynamic and rapidly evolving situation to help keep members of the public and our staff safe.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. We do not anticipate providing further updates at this time.

09/04/2026

WHO HATES SPEEDING TICKETS? RAISE YOUR RIGHT FOOT

In coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Port Orange Police Department is continuing its Speeding and Aggressive Driving campaign throughout the month of September.

Speeding puts everyone at risk.
Speed was a factor in nearly 1 in 3 traffic fatalities nationwide in 2024. Higher speeds reduce reaction time, increase stopping distance, and make crashes more severe. Slow down, obey posted speed limits, and help keep our roads safe for everyone.

Aggressive driving endangers everyone.
Tailgating, speeding, and risky maneuvers increase the chance of a crash. Stay patient, give other drivers space, and never engage with aggressive behavior on the road.

09/03/2026

*Update*

The woman has been identified as 71-year-old, Linda Jean Croteau. Linda was transported to the hospital where she remains in critical condition.

The police department lobby will remain closed until Tuesday, Sept. 8th.

The investigation is ongoing.

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.

09/03/2026

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.

08/31/2026

Roadways are cleared and reopened. A press release will be sent out shortly

*TRAFFIC ALERT*

Taylor Road and I-95 will have multiple lanes blocked and heavy traffic backup this morning due to a traffic crash with injuries.

Please avoid the area and take alternate routes if possible. The intersection may be shutdown for several hours.

08/31/2026

*TRAFFIC ALERT*

Taylor Road and I-95 will have multiple lanes blocked and heavy traffic backup this morning due to a traffic crash with injuries.

Please avoid the area and take alternate routes if possible. The intersection may be shutdown for several hours.

08/28/2026

COMMUNITY SAFETY ALERT: Don't take the bait!

Online scams and phishing attempts are on the rise. Cybercriminals often use fake emails and deceptive links to trick you into sharing personal information, passwords, or banking details. These links could also allow cybercriminals to gain access to your computer and manipulate your personal and banking information.

Here are quick tips to help you spot a scam and stay safe online:
1. How to spot fake emails-
* Check the sender’s email address: Scammers often use email addresses that look almost official but have subtle typos or strange domains
(e.g., [email protected] instead of [email protected]).
* Look out for generic greetings: Legitimate organizations usually address you by your name, not "Dear Customer" or "Valued User."
* Beware of urgent tone: Messages creating a sense of panic (e.g., "Your account will be suspended within 24 hours!") are designed to make you act without thinking.
* Watch for poor spelling & grammar: Professional institutions review their communications. Frequent typos or unusual phrasing are major red flags.

2. How to identify fake links-
* Hover before clicking: Hover your mouse over any link (or long-press on a smartphone) to see the actual destination URL. If the text says one thing but the URL leads somewhere completely different, do not click.
* Check for https:// and the padlock: Secure sites use https:// (the "s" stands for secure) and usually show a padlock icon next to the URL. Note: While scam sites sometimes use HTTPS today, the lack of it is a guarantee that the site isn't safe.
* Look at the domain name: Always verify the root domain. For example,
https://secure.bankofamerica.com/login is safe, but other sites with a similar domain style could use a variation with a deceptive domain structure.

What to do if you receive a suspicious email:
Report the phishing attempt: Flag the email as spam/phishing in your inbox. If you suffered a financial loss or identity theft, contact your local police department immediately and file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Share this post with friends and family to help protect our community!

08/27/2026

Welcome to the Team! 👮‍♂️🚔

Please join us in congratulating five of our newest recruits on successfully completing the police academy!

After months of hard work, dedication, and training, these future officers have officially earned their academy graduation and are now beginning the next phase of their journey with the Port Orange Police Department.

Their academy graduation is a major accomplishment, but the learning doesn’t stop here. They will now transition into our in-house training, where they’ll learn the policies, procedures, equipment, technology, and policing practices specific to Port Orange.

Please help us welcome and congratulate:

👮‍♂️Officer Tyler Maciejewski
👮‍♂️Officer Gabriel McConnell
👮‍♂️Officer Michael Withers
👮‍♂️Officer Donovan Lang
👮‍♂️Officer William Giraldi

08/26/2026

This Saturday, August 29th, Port Orange Police Athletic League will be at Teddy Morse’s in Ormond Beach for their big Getting Loud event!

Stop by our table to check out the Port Orange PAL raffle motorcycle, grab your raffle tickets, and learn more about the programs and opportunities we provide for youth in our community.

Funds raised through our motorcycle fundraiser help us maintain and expand programs for youth ages 7–18, making a positive difference in the lives of local youth.

Come see us, say hello, check out the bike, and learn more about Port Orange PAL! Make sure to follow Port Orange Police Athletic League on Facebook and Instagram for latest information and events.

08/21/2026

Fraud Tip Friday: Protecting Yourself from Impersonator Scams

Scammers are increasingly posing as government officials, law enforcement officers, utility company representatives, or support teams. Their goal is simple: create panic, demand immediate action, and manipulate you into sending money or personal information.

Common Red Flags to Watch For
Urgent Threats of Arrest or Legal Action: Real law enforcement and government agencies will never call to threaten you with immediate arrest or demand money to process a "fine" over the phone.

Demands for Unconventional Payment Methods: Scammers frequently insist on payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps (like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App).

Pressure to Act Immediately: Fraudsters try to keep you on the phone and create a sense of emergency so you don't have time to verify their claims.

Spoofed Caller ID Numbers: Scammers can make phone calls appear as though they are coming from a legitimate official department number.

How to Protect Yourself
Hang Up and Verify: If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up immediately. Look up the official, publicly listed phone number for the agency or business in question and call them back directly.

Never Give Out Sensitive Information: Do not share your Social Security number, banking details, passwords, or personal identifying information over the phone or via unverified messages.

Talk to Someone You Trust: Before sending money or sharing confidential details, pause and discuss the situation with a friend, family member, or trusted advisor.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted
If you suspect you have been targeted by an impersonator scam or have lost money, contact local law enforcement to file a report. You can also report fraud directly to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.