Black federal officer's life doesn't matter to Black Lives Matter protestors in Florida

A Southwest Florida television station news report glossed over a "dicey" interaction that occurred during Mondays' march to the Fort Myers Police station in downtown Fort Myers and now we have a pretty good idea why the death of a federal officer was omitted from their coverage.

The death of a federal officer didnt fit the agenda-driven narrative of a peaceful protest.

In their segment titled "Protesters march to Fort Myers police station in downtown Fort Myers" the NBC2.com reporter covering the event described it as "about protesting the death of George Floyd and others who have lost their lives due to police killings". 

Start at the one minute mark and watch for about 45 seconds.

NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

What sparked that "dicey" scene between the man and some of the other "peaceful" protestors? He was holding a photo of Federal Officer Patrick Underwood with the words "his life mattered".

According to a Breitbart News and ABC7 article black federal officer, Patrick Underwood, was shot and killed in Oakland, California, Friday night as he attempted to keep the peace amid the violent riots sweeping California and the rest of the U.S. in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minnesota.

County Examiner located the footage of the loud, angry, triggered, screaming women who didn't want anyone to see the poster of Officer Underwood. Scroll to the 6 minute mark for the full "peaceful" effect. 





Notice what was glossed over and brushed aside as "dicey" in the NBC2 news coverage?

Apparently a black federal officers life; one lost in the line of duty in the California riots while attempting to KEEP the peace--- doesn't matter when there's a specific narrative and agenda to be pushed. 

City council approves funds to purchase license plate readers

Fort Myers city council recently approved funding distribution in the amount of $45,652.00 for the acquisition of license plate readers for the Fort Myers Police Department.

According to documents reviewed by County Examiner, representatives of the Fort Myers and Cape Coral Police Departments, along with the Lee County Port Authority Police and Lee County Human Services met in June to agree on the distribution of $188,768 in funds set aside by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Funding originated from the 2018 Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for use by all units of government within Lee County.

In a letter transmitted from Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, the funds will be distributed accordingly:

An examination of the grant application revealed Fort Myers Police Departments prior purchase of equipment from Vetted Security Solutions and finding them to be a reputable company. The acquisition of six additional LPRs from Vigilant will allow FMPD to set the system so it flags:

• Expired License Plate Tags 

• Expired Registration 

• Insurance that is expired 

• Persons of interest in criminal matters 

• Suspended driver's license 

• Outstanding arrest warrant 

• Unpaid taxes or fines 

Florida Statute (316.0778) addresses the records retention requirements of license plate readers. In consultation with the Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of State shall establish a retention schedule for records containing images and data generated using an automated license plate recognition system. The retention schedule must establish a maximum period that the records may be retained. 

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First Amendment issues brewing in SWFL and the ordinances that punish residents w/ jail time

Two issues affecting First Amendment protected speech are brewing in Southwest Florida and both could dramatically impact local ordinances that punish (or seek to) residents with arrest and / or jail time and speech fines.

The City of Punta Gorda

A Punta Gorda resident filed a lawsuit in federal court pertaining to a recording prohibition contained within Chapter 15 of the City Code. In court filings reviewed by County Examiner, Andrew Sheets, a resident of Punta Gorda, Florida challenges the city’s prohibition on recording governmental employees engaging in public duties without their express permission.

The suit stems from his audio and video recording of interactions with public employees at City Hall including after city employees declined to give their consent to be recorded.

City code and a recently adopted Charlotte County ordinance both currently prohibit anyone from recordings in libraries, county offices, jails and buses without permission from county administrators, except for public meetings.

The complaint, filed in the Middle District of Florida is Case No. 2:19-cv-484.

The City of Fort Myers

An ordinance proposed by a Fort Myers, Florida city council member would punish residents for their public comment speech in violation of a proposed “civility” ordinance and subject them to forced removal from city council chambers, including threat of arrest and/ or jail time.

During their July 15, 2019 city council meeting, Fort Myers city council member Fred Burson made and council subsequent adopted a motion “to request the City Attorney to review language submitted by Councilperson Burson and Councilperson Anderson to update the

current Ordinance; motion carried 6-1.”

At the 35:11 minute mark Councilman Burson said “the purpose of the ordinance should be to prohibit the following language at the podium”:

“Abusive, derogatory, hurtful, insulting, aggressive, hateful, racist, rude, threatening, menacing, hostile, nasty, belittling, offensive ---and the intention of the ordinance would be to stop the use of the above language during public meetings …..and to direct the video technician or operator in the event somebody is, uh, violating the intent of this ordinance is to take the camera off that individual …and to direct the technician to mute the sound …and I would also as part of this as the city attorney to give himself and/ or the Mayor the authority to warn the individual no more than 3 x their language or behavior is inappropriate ---at that point in time at the direction of the city attorney or the Mayor allow the police officer to escort the individual from the chamber ---and I would like it to be punishable by up to sixty days in jail and a fine of $500.00…”

The city attorney is expected to present the draft speech ordinance to council with 30 days.