The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) swore in a new class of cadets Tuesday morning at Arise Church in Brandon.

The now deputies have been working in an intensive training program since June 26.

The ceremony had families in attendance pin their loved one’s badges to their chest. The cadets’ last task was to take their oath as a group and officially become deputies of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The ceremony highlighted exceptional members for best fitness, gun performance and an academic merit.

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Cody Cain, a new deputy shared his perspective on being a little older than his fellow cadets. 

“I was questioning it when I first came in, again most everyone was considerably younger than me,” said Deputy Cody Cain. “I have kids that are older than them, most of them. We’ve definitely bonded, we’ve all bonded… everything we went through together you can’t help but get close to each other. We know what the other one is going to do before they do it, so we’re in step with them at all time.”

Cain, 45, is now starting to fulfill his dream of serving his community as a protector alongside his younger peers.

Tampa transportation improves safety

Roadways can be a dangerous place for both drivers and pedestrians. With the help of $2.6 million of federal funding the city is testing safer methods on four local roads. 

The city chose Sligh Avenue, Rowlett Park Drive, 34th Street and Palm Avenue. These streets will undergo construction to make them safer. The roads were chosen because of their dangerous conditions and to help disadvantaged communities. 

If the changes to these four roads prove to be effective, Tampa officials will extend the improvements to more roads in the city.

The changes are needed to combat rising traffic accidents, injuries and deaths said Mayor Jane Castor.

Castor said the changes will help bolster the city’s Vision Zero plan.

“This is something we are committed to a vision death zero… imagine zero deaths out on our roadway zero crashes that result in serious injuries.” Said Castor.

Drivers and Pedestrians can expect to see changes as soon as next year.

Credits 

Anchor:  Justin Michael 

Producer: Carsen Fraser 

Reporters: Layth Mekkaoui and Matt Narvaez 

Social Media: Matt Narvaez 

Technical Director: Abigail Saxe 
Teleprompter: Jadon Rolle 

Graphics: Eddie Reksiedler 
Video Editor: Emily Ward  
Editor-in-Training: Aviva Kram 

Cameras: J.P Magalhaes 
Web Editor: Justin Michael 
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett 
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Stephanie Anderson