Search
Close this search box.

Fort Walton Beach Police Chief addresses recent shootings

During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage discussed the recent string shootings that have occurred.  According to Bage, the FWBPD does not believe these shootings are random, but rather disputes between groups of individuals that have turned more violent. (Last week’s shooting at Coasters was the exception.) “We think a lot of […]

Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage speaking at a Strategic Planning Session.

During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage discussed the recent string shootings that have occurred. 

According to Bage, the FWBPD does not believe these shootings are random, but rather disputes between groups of individuals that have turned more violent. (Last week’s shooting at Coasters was the exception.)

  • “We think a lot of these issues tie in between what goes on in Sylvania Heights, in the Crestview area and some of the areas that surround the city of Fort Walton Beach,” he said.

The incident on the Cinco Bayou bridgewhich happened a few months ago, saw a shooting occur involving multiple vehicles. Although no details are being released yet, police are confident that they’ve identified possible subjects in the exchange.

  • Additionally, three separate shootings occurred all within the same day.
  • One off Lovejoy Road
    One off Racetrack Road (12 minutes later)
  • One off Hollywood Blvd

“A lot of the shootings boil down to some type of underlining incident,” said Bage. “There’s probably some type of mitigation that needs to go on amongst not just with the police department or in public safety, but with different public advocacy groups to really talk about alternatives to violence, especially in the younger community.”

In addition to calling on advocacy groups to assist the younger community, another major help has been the investment into the new license plate readers.

The license plate readers have helped the police department when working with cases. Bage said that some of the leads in the most recent cases have been generated by the license plate readers.

Other strategies the FWBPD has been implementing include:

  • High visibility patrols, and pro-active policing. 
  • Strengthening the bond between police and the community.
  • Acting as a general deterrent by keeping consistent patrols.

Bage says that one of the biggest tools the FWBPD has at their disposal is the help of the community. He stressed the importance of citizen communication with them to help solve these crimes.

“We really need people to come forward if something is going on in their neighborhood,” he said. “Sometimes it’s that smallest tip when someone speaks up that will solve the biggest crime for us. If you see something say something.”

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
Respond
“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
Respond
“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
Respond
“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
Respond
“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
Respond
“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
Respond
“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
Respond
“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
Respond
“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
Respond