How to Obtain a Sun City Florida Police Report
The retirement community of Sun City, Florida (also known as Sun City Center) is a census-designated place — desirably situated between Sarasota and Tampa, and just off the State Road 674 exit of the I-75. As a CPD, Sun City falls within the jurisdiction of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which is the law enforcement agency in charge of 888 square miles of unincorporated areas in the state.
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a Sun City collision, everything can rapidly get out of control. Your first call will be to 9-1-1, and the responding HCSO officer responding to your plea for help will be focused on bringing in the required medics, fire department personnel, and tow trucks. Additionally, the officer will be verifying drivers’ license and plate numbers, taking witness statements, and drawing up a narrative of the accident for the evidence record. Be sure to obtain their business card and case number before you leave the location, as the official police report won’t be available for several days.
Your next call should be to someone who also has your best interests at heart, an attorney with compassion and plenty of experience. As your local personal injury law firm, Darrigo & Diaz is here and ready to help. We can discuss the accident with you now at no cost by calling (813) 774-3341.
This resource page is provided to you as a public service, guiding you through pertinent Florida statutes while offering the most expeditious methods for obtaining your Sun City Police Report.
Florida Laws for the Custody and Release of Police Reports
Florida Traffic Control Statute § Section 316.066 (Written Reports of Crashes) mandates that all accident Police Reports requests less than 60 days old must be accompanied by a Sworn Statement, a copy of your current photo identification and proof of your exemption which allows you access.
Florida mandates that Police Reports are confidential documents for the first 60 days after the accident. As such, they are only made available (within this confidential time frame) to exempt parties; defined as involved parties, their representatives, attorneys, and insurance carriers as well as qualified media members.
After 60 days have passed the police reports become public records, and no sworn statement or identification is required for copies; although additional approval may be necessary for criminal incidents.
WARNING Any person, knowing that he or she is not entitled to obtain information made confidential by the above law, who obtains or attempts to obtain such information, is guilty of a felony of the third degree.
Requesting a Copy of Your Sun City Police Report
The Public Records Section of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office coordinates all requests for Sun City Police Reports, which are processed and released according to Florida Public Records Statute §119.00.
There is no fee for a copy of your Sun City Police Report, whether or not you are an involved party. However, should your inquiry require extensive research, statements, or filmed recordings, you will be notified that a deposit is necessary prior to fill your request.
Online
The Public Records Section of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office coordinates all requests for Sun City records, which are processed and released according to Florida Public Records Statute §119.00.
HCSO Public Records Request Center
Please note that under Florida law, email addresses are a public record in which law enforcement agencies, as custodians, are required to release if discovered in response to another’s public records request.
Sworn Statement This fillable form from the FLHSMV department is for use by exempt parties, as described at the beginning of this section, during the first 60 days after the accident (aka the confidentiality period).
By Phone
HCSO Records Section
Phone: (813) 247-0960
In-Person
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida has jurisdiction over all unincorporated areas within the county, including yours. All Police Reports for Sun City are maintained at the location below in Ybor City:
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Freddie Solomon Annex
Records Section
1900 East 9th Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33605
Hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Days: Monday – Friday
Closed Holidays
By Mail
A letter of request for your Sun City Police Accident Report may be mailed to the following address:
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Records Section
P. O. Box 3371
Tampa, Florida 33601
If it is within 60 days of the accident date, these records are confidential and only exempt parties and their representatives are allowed to access them. You must include a copy of your driver’s license to verify your identity and involvement in the accident, your case number, and your notarized Sworn Statement.
Once the Police Reports have become public record, no sworn statement or identification is required for non-criminal accident report copies.
Probabilities for Sun City Traffic Accidents
With several golf courses in a community of senior citizens, golf carts in Sun City are considered legal paved-road vehicles to drive through the wide streets lined with palm trees. Golf carts are a primary vehicle for residents to get around in their neighborhoods — even the stores and restaurants have parking spaces to accommodate them.
Sun City occupies a total area of 16.6 square miles, with a population of 19,258 at the last census in 2010. Having over 1,200 residents per square mile nearly a decade ago, there is surely little space left aside from homes, golf courses, shopping, and recreational area. Busy places can get distracting.
The county of Hillsborough sustained an average of 27,179 traffic crashes each year from 2015-2017. While fortunately, only 0.75% of these accidents resulted in a fatality, 76% resulted in injuries to drivers and their passengers!
The statistics are telling, and certainly should be taken seriously by Sun City residents with the average median age of 73.5 years; who also live within arm’s reach of one of the busiest thoroughfares in southern Florida.
Darrigo & Diaz, Attorneys At Law
It is our firm’s deep commitment to giving our clients the strongest legal advantage they can find. Please reach out to Darrigo & Diaz at (813) 774-3341 to discuss your Sun City accident and to schedule a free case evaluation today!
