The Youth Protection Order is a city ordinance that restricts minors under the age of 18 to remain, linger, stay, congregate, move about, wander or stroll in any public or semi-public place within the City of Leesburg between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 A.M. The ordinance was passed as a measure to help ensure the safety of our youth and prevent juvenile crime. Please visit our Youth Protection Order page for more detailed information.

A violation of the Youth Protection Order is a "civil infraction" and is punishable by a fine of $50.00. A violation does not go on a person's criminal history and no points are assessed through the Department of Juvenile Justice.

It is legal to carry a firearm in a vehicle. However, Florida law specifically sets forth certain conditions for carrying weapons and firearms in vehicles. A firearm must not be carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the weapon from the ordinary sight of another person. Further, the firearm must be securely encased. Florida State Statute 790 defines "securely encased" as being in a glove box, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access. If you legally carry a firearm or other weapon in your vehicle and are stopped by a police officer, please inform the officer of the weapon and its location.

While we wish we could dedicate all our time and energy to to putting criminals behind bars, you'd really be surprised how many arrests we make on "routine" traffic stops. Traffic enforcement is more than just writing tickets. Traffic stops often lead to arrests for criminal traffic violations such as driving with a suspended license or even felony arrests for possession of illegal firearms and narcotics. Not to mention the fact that speed enforcement greatly reduces the risk to other motorists by preventing deadly accidents. For more information about traffic enforcement, please refer to our Traffic Enforcement page.

First, there are non-moving violations. These are violations ranging from a headlight out to failure to present your insurance card. These generally do not effect the safety of other motorists and do not have any points assessed. Second, there are moving violations. These are violations which generally affect the right-of- way of other motorists and involve unsafe infractions such as speeding or running a red light. Typically, three points are assessed for a moving violation unless it results in an accident. A fourth point is assessed when the violation results in a crash. Lastly, there are criminal traffic infractions. These are infractions that require an appearance in traffic court. These violations include offenses such as driving with a suspended license or leaving the scene of an accident. Criminal violations are typically misdemeanor offenses and can result in jail time and fines. You can learn more about Florida's traffic laws by visiting the Florida Highway Patrol's web site .

Your options vary depending on the type of citation received. If you received a ticket for unsafe equipment, you need to repair the faulty equipment then have it inspected at any law enforcement agency. You'll pay $4.00 to the agency for the inspection and another $5.00 to the Clerk of the Courts for the infraction. If you received a ticket for a non-moving or moving traffic infraction, you have a couple of choices. First, you can elect to pay the citation within 30 days. Second, you can contest the ticket in traffic court. And third, you can elect to attend a certified Driver's Improvement Course. If you received a ticket with a mandatory court appearance, then you must appear in court on the date indicated on the citation. Failure to appear could result in the issuance of a warrant for your arrest. Failure to pay a citation will result in your license being suspended.

Contact the Lake County Clerk of Circuit Traffic Department at 352-742-4133. If you elect to attend Driving School, you can make arrangements by calling 352-742-4131. You can also visit the Lake County Clerk of the Courts  web site for more information.

An officer's first concern on a traffic stop or a citizen contact is his own safety. Keep in mind that not everybody we stop is a good, law-abiding citizen. Officers are trained to use their lights to conceal their movements while illuminating the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Please visit our Traffic Enforcement page for important safety tips regarding traffic stops.

While not every call is an emergency call warranting a lights and siren response, officers often respond to calls which still require an immediate response. While our department policies and state statutes regulate "routine" police vehicle operations, they also allow police officers to exceed the speed limit as necessary when responding to certain offenses. However, officers are liable at all times for their actions.

Hopefully not. Often calls are dispatched as emergency situations that warrant an emergency response but later the status of the call may change allowing the officer to make a routine response or even cancel his response.

The Leesburg Police Department is committed to maintaining a high level of professionalism. If you feel you have been treated unfairly by an officer, then you may file a complaint at the department. You'll need to fill out a sworn statement relating the events. The department will then conduct an investigation of the incident.

Check out our Community Services page for information regarding community watch programs. We have neighborhood watches throughout Leesburg and will be glad to help you start a watch in your neighborhood.