ST. CLOUD, Fla. – For years, drivers have been blocking the entrance and exit of the St. Cloud Police Department on Old Canoe Creek Road.
In emergency situations, it is important for the driveway to be clear so motorists are not trapping patrol cars in traffic as they respond to emergencies.
The problem occurs at a clearly marked “Do Not Block Box” in front of the department, where officers need an unobstructed path to enter and leave the station. Despite the sign, vehicles frequently stack up over the marked area when traffic backs up at a nearby intersection.
“They’re morons personally,” said St. Cloud resident Calvin Rogers, expressing frustration over motorists who ignore the markings. “I mean, what happens if it was their family that needed help and they couldn’t get out because of that person?”
Rogers, who lives nearby, says the issue is a daily occurrence.
“Yes, I do see a lot of people blocking this, quite often, every day,” he said. “We live right down the road here, and it’s really bad.”
An online review appears to back up those claims. A check of Google Maps images shows cars blocking the driveway in photographs dating back to at least 2016, with multiple images capturing vehicles stopped directly over the “Do Not Block Box” area.
Andrew Sullivan of the St. Cloud Police Department said the signs and painted box are there for a critical reason: to keep response routes open when seconds matter.
“It simply allows us to leave our police department more quickly to provide service if there’s a call or an emergency,” Sullivan said. “So it’s important that you don’t stop on that area when you’re stopped for traffic, waiting for the light to change.”
Sullivan also emphasized that blocking the box is not just inconsiderate—it’s the law.
“A lot of people will ask, ‘Well, is this a citation?’ Yes. It is a moving violation,” he said, adding that drivers who obstruct the marked zone when police need access could find themselves facing a ticket.
News 6 traffic safety analyst Trooper Steve, who grew up in the area, suggested the city consider enhanced warnings to curb the problem.
“Maybe a flashing light from the city saying, ‘Hey, don’t block this box,’” he said. “Fire departments have it. Why can’t the police department?”
While potential long-term fixes are discussed, residents like Rogers are pleading with fellow drivers to simply obey the markings and think beyond their own commute.
“You might be saving somebody’s life,” Rogers said. “You have to, you know, give them consideration.”