The Punta Gorda Police Department maintains a social media program for the purpose of providing relevant and timely community news, information and events, distribution of crime prevention and public safety tips, for urgent notifications of critical incidents which may affect residents, business owners and visitors of the city of Punta Gorda Police Department, and for those people having an interest in the Punta Gorda Police Department. 

Our social media platforms are meant for the purpose of providing information to the public and public commenting. All deleted or hidden content is archived and available for review via public records request. 

Limited Public Forum

All social media platforms used by the Punta Gorda Police Department are designated as Limited Public Forums. Posting of any content on any social media platform used by the Punta Gorda Police Department, by any visitor, follower, subscriber or fan, constitutes acceptance of the terms of use described here in this policy.

For purposes of this policy, a social media platform is the website or app offered to the public to provide audio, video, still-photo or written communication between other members of the public and/or representatives of certain groups, businesses, organizations or departments. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, website blogs with commenting capabilities, forums and emergency notification services.

The definition of content as used in this policy refers to any written copy, photos, graphics, videos, live-video streams, comments or any form of communicative content exchanged between parties.

Emergency or Non-Emergency Requests for Police Assistance

The posting of requests for police assistance, regardless if it is of an emergency or non-emergency nature, is discouraged and will not guarantee a response by the Punta Gorda Police Department or any emergency service provider. In case of an emergency, or if police assistance is needed, please dial 911. If you wish to report a crime or information relevant to a crime, please call 941-639-4111. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

In the event you post information related to a crime, you may be placing yourself in a position of becoming a witness and subject to being subpoenaed into court.

Endorsements

“Friending” or “Liking” the Punta Gorda Police Department, or an officer or employee of the Punta Gorda Police Department, does not indicate an endorsement of that person’s actions or comments.

A comment posted by a member of the public on any Punta Gorda Police Department social media site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Punta Gorda Police Department, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Punta Gorda Police Department.

Facebook's Community of Standards

All comments posted to any Punta Gorda Police Department Facebook site are bound by Facebook’s Community Standards, located at http://www.facebook.com/communitystandards, and the Punta Gorda Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of Facebook’s Community Standards to Facebook with the intent of Facebook taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.