Polk County deputies encounter massive alligator near school in Lakeland Published Large alligator trapped near school in Lakeland Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office encountered a large alligator that was sunning on a sidewalk in Lakeland Thursday morning. LAKE MARY, Fla. - Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office encountered a large alligator that was sunning on a sidewalk in the Lakeland area on Thursday morning. Deputies were called to the western shore of Scott Lake in the Lakeland Highlands community about a nuisance gator that was spotted not far from Lakeland Highlands Middle School. A trapper was called out to collect the estimated 10-foot-long, 800-pound reptile, which did not go without a fight.