Chief's Corner: Melanie Bevin, BPD

The Bradenton Police Department, and law enforcement agencies across the country, stress the phrase, "see something, say something.“ That’s exactly what was done in the early morning hours of June 22, 2022, when a woman in the waiting room at HCA Florida Blake Hospital observed what appeared to be a patient, later identified as Jamekeyra Levertt-Chapman, loading a firearm in her purse.

The witness immediately alerted her relatives to leave the waiting room, and then reported her observation to a staff member, who contacted hospital security. Another healthcare worker contacted 911 at 2:16 AM. The first of 13 responding officers, who raced toward the scene from every corner of our city, reached the hospital within four minutes.

Meanwhile, the hospital’s unarmed security guard on duty, Jimmy Pacelko, who has dedicated his career to hospital security, approached Levertt-Chapman and engaged her in conversation. When Pacelko observed officers posted outside of the ER’s entrance, he took quick and heroic action and seized the firearm from Levertt-Chapman's purse. Our officers entered the ER from multiple sides, taking Leverett-Chapman into custody.

The entire incident, from 911 call to arrest, took eight minutes. We later recovered a high-capacity magazine, two additional magazines, and dozens of rounds of ammunition from Levertt-Chapman's purse.

I could not be prouder of our communications team and officers, who responded in the tactical manner in which they are trained. However, BPD’s response was the result of the keen observations of the witness and quick action of the healthcare workers. Moreover,] the bravery displayed by Mr. Pacelko cannot be understated.

HCA Blake Hospital plans to hold a private recognition ceremony for its healthcare workers and Mr. Pacelko, and I will be there to personally thank them on behalf of Bradenton Police. However, BPD feels the waiting-room witness, who not only alerted staff to her observations, but also ushered her relatives out of potential harm’s way, is also deserving of recognition, and we are planning to publicly honor her in the near future.

Stay vigilant, and practice situational awareness. If you SEE something, SAY something.