Doing Good For The Neighborhood With HCSO Deputy, Volunteers

GIBSONTON, FL — Homeless people joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for a cleanup project that took several weeks at the Gibsonton Walmart on Pine Street to complete.

HCSO Deputy Eric Schmidt, who spends at least one hour a week with communities in the Gibsonton area through the "Walk It Like I Talk It", initiative to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and residents, coordinated the cleanup at the vacant lot that is adjacent to the Walmart building. This area experiences illegal dumping, unlawful loitering and drug activity, according to the sheriff's office.

Schmidt and Deputy John Footman, HCSO's district IV homeless liaison, have developed good relationships with the homeless community in this area, HCSO stated on its Facebook page. Many homeless people volunteered to help Schmidt out with the project as he worked on it between responding to police calls and duties.

"We are proud of the initiative Deputy Schmidt took for this cleanup," HSCO said. "This was not a special assignment he was given."