City of Lakeland Press Release:
LAKELAND, FL (May 21, 2025) | On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Lakeland Police Officers responded to reports of one or more incidents at the Lakeland Downtown Farmer’s Market involving an individual conducting interviews and recording video of attendees. During the response, officers themselves were recorded, and a selectively edited version of the footage was later released publicly. Throughout the interaction, officers worked to de-escalate the situation and asked the individuals involved to remain on the sidewalk to avoid disrupting market vendors. No individuals were trespassed from the Market.
The Lakeland Downtown Farmer’s Market is operated by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), an independent special district established under Chapter 2004-415, Laws of Florida.
The LDDA is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors: six are elected by downtown property owners and registered voters within the designated district, and the seventh is a City Commissioner appointed by the Mayor.
The LDDA’s Executive Director is appointed by the LDDA Board and is not a City of Lakeland employee. As such, the City does not exercise supervisory authority over the LDDA Executive Director.
