Panama City Police deployed officers to Taylor County following hurricane

PANAMA CITY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Panama City Police are also contributing officers to the relief efforts.

Eight officers left just after 2 a.m. on Friday, heading for Perry in Taylor County.

Helene is the third hurricane to hit Perry in 13 months. Many Panama City officers have deployed there before and are familiar with the area.

The team set up a base camp and took over for Taylor County officers, patrolling the streets.

“When I became chief three years ago, I made it kind of my pet project that we would be better prepared and that we would be better able to assist other agencies in need. So I bought a large amount of equipment through grants and forfeiture funds that ended up not costing the taxpayers of our city any you know, any cost. But it makes our job so much easier to do when we go when we have the proper services and equipment. But being able to go and help other agencies, that’s what it’s about,” Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith said.

The Panama City officers will remain in Perry for a week. A second team will replace them.

Chief Smith says they’ll send officers as they’re needed.

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