Deputies Spend 1,700 Hours Walking The Walk, Talking The Talk

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — These sheriff's deputies certainly can't be accused of spending too much time in their air-conditioned patrol car.

Under a new community policing program known as "Walk It Like I Talk It," Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies have spent more than 1,700 hours getting out of their cars and walking neighborhood streets in their districts in the past month.

Sheriff Chad Chronister debuted "Walk It Like I Talk It" on June 6. The goal of the program is to build stronger relationships with residents and business owners by allowing them to become familiar with the faces and names of the deputies who regularly patrol their communities.

"I strongly believe that our residents feel more comfortable reporting a crime, or any suspicious activity, to a deputy who takes the time to talk to them one-on-one," said Chronister. "Our deputies have truly embraced this new program from day one, and it's another step forward in building trust between law enforcement and the community we serve."

Deputies across all five patrol districts have participated in the program, which encourages them to get out of their patrol cars and walk their zones for at least one hour per week.

On July 2, three deputies in District IV were invited as guests on WSCQ - Sun City Radio Station (96.3 FM) to discuss "Walk It Like I Talk It" after coincidentally meeting a show coordinator during their walk.