Lakeland, Florida
Crime scene cleanup in Lakeland
After a homicide, an assault or a shooting, the police and the medical examiner work the scene first. When they hand the home back, an independent cleanup company can take over.
Someone picks up 24 hours a day, every day of the week
If it has just happened
- Call 911. If someone has died or been badly hurt, the police and the medical examiner's office come first.
- Leave things where they are. Florida law leaves the body and what is around it to the medical examiner until that office says otherwise (s. 406.12).
- Close the door and step outside. You do not need to clean anything, and you should not try.
- Call when the home is released. Once the police tell you the scene is yours again, the number on this page reaches a company that can start.
When you can start
Nothing is cleaned while the scene is still under investigation. Ask the officer or detective who is handling it when the home will be released, and whether anyone will tell you. Write down the case number, because you will need it later for victim compensation.
Inside Lakeland city limits that is the Lakeland Police Department. Outside city limits, the Polk County Sheriff's Office is the police agency. Its non-emergency number, 863-298-6200, is also the one it gives for after-hours calls (PCSO contact page).
What the work usually covers
Finding the spread
Fluids move under flooring, behind trim and into soft furniture. The company checks before it quotes.
Removing what cannot be saved
Carpet and pad, mattresses and sections of drywall are cut out, bagged and sealed.
Cleaning and disinfecting
Hard surfaces are cleaned, then treated with a registered disinfectant left on for its full label contact time.
Fingerprint powder and odor
Ask whether the quote includes powder residue left by investigators and treatment for lingering odor.
Florida victim compensation
The Attorney General's Bureau of Victim Compensation names crime scene cleanup among the expenses it may cover. Two time limits matter: the crime has to be reported to law enforcement within 120 hours unless there was good cause for a delay, and the application is due within three years of the crime, or five with good cause.
The Bureau pays only after other sources have been used and does not approve payments in advance (limits). Keep the company's written price, invoice and receipts. Victims can call the Bureau at (800) 226-6667.
Other situations
- Unattended death cleanupWhen someone died alone and was not found for days or longer.Read more
- Suicide cleanupCareful, private work so the family does not have to face the room.Read more
- Blood and bodily fluid cleanupFalls, injuries and illness at home, on floors, walls or furniture.Read more
- Hoarding with biohazardsAnimal or human waste and spoiled food inside a crowded home.Read more
- Infectious disease disinfectionDisinfecting rooms after illness, with registered products used as labelled.Read more
- Vehicle biohazard cleanupBlood or bodily fluids in a car, truck or van.Read more
When you are ready
Let someone else carry this part
You do not have to settle everything today. A company can explain the work and give you its price, then wait while you talk it over with family.
Speak with a cleanup company
The person who answers is with an independent company that does this work around Lakeland. Say what happened, ask how they would handle it and what it would cost. Nothing is booked unless you agree.
Call (863) 474-0772Someone picks up 24 hours a day, every day of the week
Calls may be recorded. How referrals are paid: disclosure. What is logged: privacy.