WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Winter Haven residents looking to clear out cluttered filing cabinets or expired medicine cabinets have a one-stop solution coming this weekend. The Winter Haven Police Department is hosting its “Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff” event on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm.
The department is teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day while simultaneously bringing back its popular free shredding service. The event is designed to give locals a secure way to dispose of sensitive items that could otherwise lead to identity theft or accidental drug misuse.
The operation is set up as a drive-thru in the front parking lot of the police department at 125 N Lake Silver Dr., NW. Staff will be on hand to take items directly from vehicles, meaning residents do not even need to step out of their cars to participate.
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While there is no limit on the amount of paper documents a person can bring to be destroyed on-site, the department clarified that the service is for residents only and not for businesses. Additionally, no electronics will be accepted for disposal during this specific event.
“With so much fraud and scams going on, it is imperative that citizens dispose of documents properly,” said Police Chief Vance Monroe. “We are proud to offer this free service as a way to assist our citizens to help prevent becoming a victim of identity theft.”
The pill take-back portion of the afternoon allows for the anonymous disposal of unneeded medications, keeping them out of the hands of children and preventing them from entering the water supply through improper flushing. Both the shredding and the pill disposal are being offered to the public free of charge.
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