Over the last 10 years, Cape Coral has seen a population explosion.
An estimated 50,000 people have moved here, and that is expected to double in the next ten years.
"There’s been a lot more growth, especially over the last couple of years, with people migrating here during the Covid market," said Cape Coral resident Thor Hmielwski.
Hmielwski has been visiting the Cape for as long as he can remember, and he moved here full-time in 2004. He's seen the changes firsthand.
"Methodical growth isn't bad, but rapid expansion tends to bring to light a lot of other problems like infrastructure and traffic," he said.
If there is one person in the city who has seen the growth, it's Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore. He's a 27-year veteran with the department and is tasked with keeping the city safe. He's eyeing the future.
"It's the largest city in the third most populated state in the country, and we're growing every day," Sizemore said. "We're looking at about 100,000 people in ten years. We have just launched a program called Project 35, which is fiscal year 2035."
An outside vendor gathers that information. It's a reality check for the growing city. Sizemore agrees with residents who say they need more police on the street.
"The more people that move here, the more police service that you have to have to maintain that level," Sizemore said.
It's an expectation echoed by the community.
"If you have 200,000 people, you have people migrating here from other areas, so you have to gain control over that before it becomes a larger issue," Hmielwski said.
That comes down to training, which Sizemore said is a top priority for him and his team. Recently, CCPD opened a new 300,000-square-foot training facility with classrooms and a shooting range, providing tools and tactical training for officers.
"When they deploy onto the street, they're able to deliver the police service that Cape Coral has come to expect, and we will deliver," Sizemore said.
Sizemore said it's all about staying on top of growth.
"I use a visual of a car driving down the interstate," he said. "That is growth, and we are behind it. If you don't step on the gas, you're not going to catch up."