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Residents press Lynn Haven leaders over police records, missing IT equipment and drones
Summary
Several residents used public comment to raise allegations about confidential records and missing city IT equipment, including claims that child‑protective DVDs and bullet casings were found at an officer’s foreclosed home and that nearly $50–80k in equipment was stored offsite. City staff said copies of CPT exams remain with the advocacy center and the city redistributed drones to the Boys & Girls Club.
At the start of the Dec. 9 meeting, multiple residents raised concerns about police records and city IT equipment. Christy McElroy said she had documented communications regarding what she described as 'false' statements by a former official and reported that spent bullet casings had been found in a foreclosed police officer’s house. Bernie Thompson pressed the commission for details on confidential child‑protective team (CPT) exam DVDs and whether those items were original records or copies.
Thompson also asked about nearly $50,000 to $80,000 in IT equipment that a former IT manager stored at his home after leaving employment; he listed drones, laptops, tools and televisions and asked where the items went. Staff responded in the meeting: the city said the drones were provided to the Boys & Girls Club for educational use and other equipment was redistributed to public works, facilities, utilities, fleet and parks. City staff said some CPT exam items were copies and that the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center retains the original five CPT exams.
Commissioners and staff said the sheriff’s office was involved in evidence retrieval related to the alleged spent casings and that the state attorney had been consulted for prosecutorial questions. Several commissioners and staff committed to produce clearer documentation and to follow up on unresolved questions.
What’s next: City staff said they will deliver clarifying information to the commission about the chain of custody for CPT materials and produce an inventory or accounting of the equipment that was turned in or redistributed.
