Category
Criminal Justice
Florida law enforcement officials praised for arrest diversion programs
Florida law enforcement officials were praised Tuesday for implementing programs that offer civil citations instead of arrests for minor and non-violent offenses. Florida’s Direct Action & Research Training Center, or DART, is trying to push...
U.S. Rep. Crist calls for statewide investigation into Florida’s connection with Capitol Riot
Florida congressmember and gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist met with local leaders in St. Petersburg Friday to call for a statewide investigation into Florida’s connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot in D.C. Listen: Crist stood...
As specter of HB1 looms, St. Pete protestors return to streets demanding justice for Daunte Wright
With the specter of Florida’s HB1 “anti-riot” bill looming, protestors in St. Pete returned to the streets Friday to demand justice for Daunte Wright, the 20-year-old Black man killed by police in a Minneapolis Suburb,...
Some of Tampa Bay’s biggest criminal justice stakeholders Monday said they’d support more access to arrest avoidance programs and would address racial bias issues. They spoke during an annual meeting of the Hillsborough Organization for...
Black Lives Matter Activist attacked by ‘community patriot’ at New Port Richey council meeting
A New Port Richey City Council meeting turned violent Tuesday when a Black Lives Matter activist was attacked outside of City Hall. One arrest was made after tensions between activists and a group called “community...
Members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus cite the Black Lives Matter movement as inspiration for a set of bills aimed at what it calls ‘fair and just policing.’ The bills come as some in...
Florida lawmakers call for reform after DOJ report finds ‘systemic’ sexual abuse in women’s prison
Florida lawmakers are calling for sweeping reforms after a Department of Justice investigation alleged a culture of “systemic” sexual abuse and cover-ups at a women’s prison in Ocala. State legislators last week held a Zoom...
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office has formally charged a man they say killed a 12-year-old girl while boating under the influence on the Alafia River in May. State Attorney Andrew Warren and the Florida...
Floridians are showing out for prison reform
The Sarasota County Legislative Delegation Friday met with civic organizations and county residents to discuss priorities for Florida’s 2021 legislative session. Among many areas of concern discussed, none was talked about more than prison reform....
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation Friday met virtually with members of the public to discuss local bills and issues ahead of the 2021 session. COVID-19 concerns were...
St. Pete residents say ‘Enough is Enough’ violence in the city
St. Petersburg residents led by a few city council members gathered Saturday to say “Enough is Enough” violence in the city. The movement comes just days after a 20-year-old Black man was killed on the...
Tampa police review policy pushed to 2021 following citizen pushback
The Tampa City Council Thursday voted unanimously to push considering changes to its police Citizen Review Board until early 2021. Citizens came out in droves in person and virtually to call for citizen-led oversight of...
