A Safe Cape Coral
As a result of Mayor Gunter’s continued investments in Public Safety, our city had a 28% reduction in crime in 2025
Public Safety & Emergency Management
Staffing Increases: Added over 85 new positions each to both the Cape Coral Police Department and Fire Department to address rapid population growth.
New Facilities: Oversaw the opening of Fire Stations No. 11, 12 and 13 and completed Phase I of the new Police and Fire Training Facilities.
Public Safety Expansion: 85 fighters and 85 Police Officers.
Crime Reduction: Reported a 28% reduction in crime by early 2026, marking one of the most significant decreases in the city’s history.
Hurricane Recovery: Managed the city’s response to Hurricane Ian in 2022 and successfully maintained the city’s CRS rating of 5, preserving a 25% flood insurance discount for residents.
The partnership between Mayor John Gunter and the Cape Coral Police Department has been defined by strategic investment, thoughtful oversight, and a shared commitment to public safety. Through planning, accountability, and targeted resource allocation, the city has achieved tangible improvements in policing effectiveness, operational efficiency, and community safety—demonstrating that sustained leadership and collaboration produce measurable results.
Key Public Safety Achievements
Strategic Planning & Growth Management
Shift to intentional, long-term strategic planning and budgeting • Alignment of police resources with rapid population growth • Focus on sustainability rather than reactive staffing models
Staffing & Deployment Improvements
Intentional increases in sworn staffing to right-size the agency • Implementation of a precinct-based deployment model • Improved geographic coverage and neighborhood-level policing • Reduction in response times to Priority One calls for service
Training & Infrastructure Investment
Transition into a state-of-the-art, best-in-class police training facility. Facility designed by the Police Department and supported by the Mayor and City Council • Enhanced training capacity, professionalism, and operational readiness
Professional Standards & Accreditation
Achievement of accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) • Compliance with nationally recognized best practices • Ongoing audits and continuous improvement culture
Technology & Intelligence-Led Policing
Investment in modern law enforcement technology • Expansion of intelligence-led policing strategies • Improved investigative outcomes in serious and high-profile crimes • Data-driven deployment and operational decision-making
Emergency Communications & 911 Support
Advocacy for appropriate staffing and competitive compensation for 911 telecommunicators • Improved recruitment, retention, and performance • Strengthened emergency response coordination
Accountability & Oversight
Active oversight through CALEA accreditation audits • Utilization of the City Auditor’s Office to ensure fiscal and operational efficiency • Ongoing evaluation of strategy, deployment, and performance
Measurable Community Impact
Double-digit reduction in crime in 2025 • Enhanced public safety outcomes for residents and visitors • Increased community trust and confidence in the Police Department
Mayor John Gunter’s commitment to public safety continues to be a top priority.
Faced with rapid population increases and staffing challenges, the Police Department adopted a more intentional approach to strategic planning, budgeting, and deployment.
Mayor Gunter has served as a consistent and engaged partner, aligning policy direction, funding priorities, and accountability measures to support public safety and deliver measurable results for the community.
Public Safety Under Mayor Gunter
Opened Fire Stations No. 11, 12, and 13 to serve the city’s rapidly growing population.
Implemented new pay structures for recruitment and retention, bringing salary ranges to the 75th percentile among peer cities. The City Council has set a target to compensate city employees, including police officers and firefighters, at the 75th percentile of wages paid for comparable positions in similar cities. This means the city aims to ensure its pay rates are 75% of those in peer municipalities, making Cape Coral more competitive in attracting and retaining talent.
Instituted a $10,000 hiring bonus for newly hired police officers.
Received a Public Protection Classification, also known as an ISO rating of “2” in our city.
The Police Department maintained law enforcement and communications center accreditation through CALEA; its Forensics Lab received laboratory accreditation by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board in 2018.
Maintained status as one of the safest cities in Florida with a population over 150,000.
Managed Hurricane Iand response in 2022, including emergency operations, restoring municipal services, and citywide debris removal.
Created the Department of Emergency Management and Resilience.
Maintained the City’s CRS rating of 5 and insurance premium discounts up to 25% after extensive FEMA review concerning hurricane recovery and adherence to National Flood Insurance Program regulations.
Opened new, state-of-the-art police and fire training centers for advanced public safety training.
Mayor John Gunter continues to prioritize public safety as a cornerstone of his administration, recently advocating for the expansion of the Cape Coral Fire Department (CCFD) to match the city’s rapid growth.
Fire Chief: Michael (Mike) Russell was appointed Fire Chief effective April 28, 2025, succeeding Ryan Lamb.
Emergency Management: The city recently separated the Emergency Management Division from the Fire Department to ensure dedicated leadership for disaster response, a move prompted by lessons from Hurricane Ian.
After Hurricane Ian, Mayor Gunter recognized the need for a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Since then, he has advocated for and secured over $18 million in state appropriations for a new EOC. A new EOC is currently being designed.
In 2018, Mayor Gunter set a goal for our Fire Department to be recognized as an Accredited Department. In 2025, he was a Board Member who testified before the Accreditation Panel, and our Fire Department subsequently received its accreditation. Additionally, in 2025, the city received an ISO Rating (Public Protection Classification) of 2. Our Fire Department was one of only 103 nationwide to hold both an Accreditation and an ISO rating of 2.
This new rating, which is considered “excellent,” places the CCFD among the top fire departments in the state and nation for fire protection and emergency services.
Expanded Infrastructure: To keep pace with the city’s growth, the department recently opened Fire Station 13 and is in the planning phases for Stations 14 and 15.
New Training Facility: A specialized training site was recently constructed behind Ida S. Baker High School to improve firefighter efficiency and support a recruitment partnership with the school’s Firefighter Explorer program.
Humanitarian Impact: The department collects and distributes toys for over 700 local children annually through its “Breakfast with Santa” and holiday toy drives
