The City of Groveland continues to be one of the top five safest cities to live where its residents enjoy a lower than average crime rate.
Groveland Police Department
In March of 2017, the city of Groveland proudly named Shawn Ramsey as its Police Chief and Armando Loney as Deputy Police Chief. Each has close to 30 years of law enforcement experience. With the new administration, The Groveland Police Department has adopted a new philosophy geared towards Community Policing. Community Policing strengthens quality police-resident interaction and positive relationships through community commitment and positive collaboration. Five additional police officers were added to its law enforcement agency bringing the total number to 32 police officers and 12 civilians.
The police department upgraded equipment to include non-lethals weapons and body-worn cameras.
The design of the new Public Safety Complex is currently in the planning stages with funding being identified for the project.
Groveland Fire Department
Groveland Fire Chief Willie Morgan has a total of 21 personnel on staff. This year, the Chief added a shiny new fire truck to his inventory, totaling 2 Fire trucks in service at all times plus 3 in reserve, as well 2 brush trucks.
The Fire Department currently operates out of two fire stations:
Fire Station 95 on State Road 50 next to the Police Department in what was once the public works barn. The relocation of this station and the Police Department to a new 30,000 square foot facility next to Tractor Supply on east SR50 has been approved by the Groveland City Council and is expected to be completed next year.
Fire Station 94, located off Wilson Lake Parkway and Cherry Lake Road, was dedicated in November 2007. The Public Safety Annex houses both Groveland, as well as the office of State Representative Larry Metz. The annex was dedicated to Groveland’s Fire Chief Willie Morgan who grew up in Groveland and started serving as a volunteer firefighter in 1974.
Population Growth
In 2017 the city of Groveland welcomed 446 new single-family homes and 52 new businesses to its community. The Villa City Project will bring 7,000+ potential new homes and mixed use of sustainable development of office, industrial, retail, hotel and assisted living facility development to Groveland. (see City of Groveland)
A dedication ceremony marked a portion of State Road 19 in Groveland from State Road 50 north to Cherry Lake Road as a memorial highway in honor of Sergeant Marvin L. Roberts, a Groveland resident who served in World War II in the European Theater and was killed during the Battle of the Bulge.
A LED digital sign was installed outside the Puryear Building on the corner of Lake Avenue and Orange Avenue to provides information and updates.
Groveland’s First Dog Park opened at Ronald Sefton Gaffney Memorial Park last May during a Memorial Day Service.
Lake David Park currently has amenities which include a community center, sand volleyball court, basketball court, fishing pier. Lake David Park will be installing new restrooms, splash pad, paved parking, playground equipment, gazebo expansion, paver walkways and power receptacles for events.
Parks and Recreation: The Parks and Recreation Department held community events throughout the year, such as the popular annual 4th of July Celebration, Movie Nights, and the annual Christmas parade.
Community Pride: The Groveland Police department entered its decorated float in the City’s Christmas parade and won first place on December 9.
Congratulations Groveland!
