LCSO changes highway patrol unit name to traffic unit to spare confusion for residents

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Highway Patrol unit is being switched back to the traffic unit title to clear up any unanticipated confusion for residents.  

LCSO wants to clear up any potential confusion while keeping the same mission by switching the title of the traffic unit they rolled out just a few weeks ago. 

Just a few weeks ago, WINK News was there when LCSO showed off their then newly rebranded vehicles that would help patrol Lee County’s roads, but the potential confusion starts and ends with what’s on the side of the car: “Highway Patrol.”

The cruisers will still employ all the same upgraded features, such as enhanced lighting to ensure increased visibility and maneuvering capabilities.   

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the unit will not cost taxpayers a dime, and that has not changed.   

“Deputies assigned to this unit will patrol the heavily traveled roadways of Lee County and enforce traffic laws in Lee County,” he said. “This initiative will not cost any additional money to the taxpayer. We will be reallocating resources to include staffing and equipment whenever we can.” 

The Florida Highway Patrol said FHP and LCSO have a strong partnership founded on their shared public safety mission.   

Nothing is changing with regard to increased patrols on majorly traveled roadways to include state roads.