“Relief Not Reopen” Demand Local Activists
In Polk County
by James Coulter
With COVID-19 infections and deaths in Florida
reaching record highs, many Polk County residents are saying “enough is
enough” and demanding that the county and state halt measures to re-open
the economy.
Several local activists planned a demonstration in
Downtown Lakeland on Sunday to protest the state’s re-opening measures, call
attention to the countless infection cases and deaths, and demand measures and
policies to help curtail the spread of the virus and support the elderly,
unemployed, and other marginalized groups most affected by the pandemic.
Organized by the Polk County Florida Chapter of the
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the protest was planned as a faux
funeral procession that would have started at Cannon Funeral Home, traveled
along Memorial Boulevard and Bartow Road, and end at Lakeland City Hall where
demonstrators and organizers would have read a list of demands addressed to
Lakeland City Commissioners.
DSA organizers had previously scheduled the protest
for June, but postponed the event until July out of respect for the Black Lives
Matter movement and its nationwide protests to bring attention to police
brutality and systematic racism, explained DSA organizer, Amy Lee Lawrence.
The “Relief Not Reopen” protest was
rescheduled for Sunday, July 5 at 1 p.m., and more than 30 people had expressed
their interest to attend on the Facebook event page. However, most likely due
to inclement weather that afternoon, along with the looming threat of COVID-19,
the protest was canceled, Lawrence said.
The list of demands to the politicians in the Lakeland
and Polk County community that would have been read at the rally were instead
posted on-line in a Google Docs document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rI_eXghWmZ1DGWYt5CnLbUvVXwhODhGAT3e6vfoesrA/edit?fbclid=IwAR0Paou3809SmOFcCpmoicp4Su42iJNdl8Yt9usAGVBwGXnw0KFL7OfqnLU
The demands included a mass mandate to be issued by
the Polk County Commissioners to reverse re-opening measures, as well as to not
re-open Polk County Schools until the number of new cases has safely dropped.
Other demands included guaranteed protection for all workers, protection for
unemployed workers, the right to safe housing, debt forgiveness, the right to
information, the right to fair and safe elections, and Medicare-For-All.
“Governor DeSantis and local governments want to
continue to reopen the state of Florida…and yet they stay quiet on what
they’re doing to help the people in Polk County and Florida as cases skyrocket
and people die,” the document read. “We don’t understand how public
and government officials can say that we should sacrifice our lives for our
economy. Human life is more important than money.”
Following re-opening measures, Florida and many other
states have seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Florida recently
experienced a new single-day record of over 11,400 Coronavirus cases, as
reported by TODAY. In fact, Florida has reported more new daily cases than any
European county “at the height of their outbreaks”, US News reports.
“[These] European countries are taking the steps
and precautions that need to be done; Florida wants to reopen so they can
reopen the economy and get back to work, but that is not how we lower the
infections and deaths,” Lawrence said. “We have to not necessarily
shut down everything, but we need to put [stricter measures] in place, social
distancing needs to be required, masks and testing should be required.”
Lawrence and other DSA organizers had answered the
call to help their local community through the pandemic by starting a new local
initiative, “Masks And Meals.” Every other Saturday, the local
activist group gathers at Munn Park to distribute masks and meals to the local
homeless. The first event was hosted on July 3.
“It is important that they [the homeless] are not
only fed but protected,” Lawrence explained.
Aside from the less fortunate, many DSA organizers are
concerned about members of their own family who are most vulnerable to contract
the virus, especially elderly and people with immune deficiencies. Lawrence
already has one in-law in critical condition, and another who is asymptomatic.
Katie Smith, another DSA organizer, has several family
members, including her grandparents, who are most susceptible to the disease.
“If one of us got sick because things were
reopened too quickly, it would spread through our family,” Smith said.
“I am out here because I support more programs and protection in place for
the everyday working-class person in Florida, and our government and officials
have not done enough. I want them to take seriously the concerns in our
community.”
Currently, the Polk County DSA has a petition on
Change.org calling for an executive order for residents to wear face masks when
out in public:
https://www.change.org/p/polk-county-commissioners-mandatory-masks-for-polk-county-fl
They also have a fundraiser on GoFundMe for their
Meals And Masks program: https://www.gofundme.com/f/meals-and-masks-in-polk-county
When one stick of deodorant just won’t do – how about $144 worth?
The two seen in this video went to Walgreens (5545 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven) Wednesday afternoon and loaded up with various brands of deodorant to the tune of $144 worth. Associates in the store determined what was happening, however the pair left before law enforcement arrived. (Before anyone gets upset about the associates not stopping them, remember some stores prohibit that). The associates did see the vehicle they left in – an older white Toyota Camry.
Although the video and photos are a bit blurry, the clothing on the female is fairly distinctive. If you recognize either, please call Det. Hall at 863-401-2256. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
In response to the ever-increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the Winter Haven area, the City of Winter Haven is holding a Free Face Mask Giveaway program beginning July 10.
Disposable face masks will be distributed in a drive-through process at the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center parking lot at 801 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and at the Florida Citrus Building (Nora Mayo Hall) at 500 3rd Street NW. This service is available from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, July 10 and from Monday July 13 through Friday, July 17. Area citizens can visit one of these two sites to receive up to three disposable face masks for each person in the car while supplies last.
It is up to each of us to do our part to mitigate the impact of this virus. The use of face masks could reduce the spread of Covid-19 when worn around others and in public spaces. All citizens are urged to wear a face mask when in the company of other people. Face masks or face coverings are required in all City of Winter Haven government facilities.
Please call 291-5600 should you have questions about this face mask distribution program.
Mulberry, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently working a fatal crash in Mulberry.
Scott Wilder, Director of Communications for PCSO, has confirmed a single vehicle accident is being investigated. According to Wilder one person has died and a second person has been transported. The accident occurred near the intersection of Anderson Rd & Nichols Rd in Mulberry. Units were initially called at 4:37pm.
With the ever-increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the Winter Haven area, the City of Winter Haven is implementing a face mask policy for employees and customers in City government facilities beginning Wednesday, July 8, 2020.
To further protect all employees and all customers who use City facilities, face masks will be required inside all City of Winter Haven government facilities. Customers are required to wear a facemask or covering when entering any City of Winter Haven facility and when occupying those interior public spaces. (It is understood that certain situations and conditions will prohibit mask use such as intense physical activity or a personal medical issue prohibiting the use of a covering.) Free masks are available at every City facility should a customer not have one to wear.
Should a customer not wish to enter a facility, but need to conduct business with the City of Winter Haven, electronic services are available on the City website at www.mywinterhaven.com . Services and guidance is also available by calling the department of interest and asking for virtual assistance. For more information on the City of Winter Havens response to COVID-19 please visit https://www.mywinterhaven.com/government/covid-19-impacts-and-updates/ .
On 7-5-2020, 29 year-old Justin Watson found out he will receive the enhanced charges when an alert apartment manager saw him rummaging through vehicles in the parking lot of the Georgetown Apartments (130 Ave C SE, Winter Haven.) At approximately 4:15 a.m., the manager called 9-1-1 to report a suspicious person in the parking lot looking through vehicles. When officers arrived, they located Watson walking on the east side of the pool. Officers approached Watson and he attempted to conceal himself in the shadows, dropped a large black bag that made a thud and a sound of change inside and attempted to remove his gloves. He also tried to conceal his flashlight, but officers quickly apprehended him before he was able to. The manager confirmed the clothing to the call taker and video footage of the parking lot revealed Watson attempted to gain entry into 55 vehicles on property including nine that he made entry into. The video showed that Watson was wearing a mask and gloves in an attempt to conceal his identity. Inside of the bag, officers located property belonging to the victims. Watson was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with: Burglary, Un-Occupied Conveyance Un-Armed FSS/FAC/CO 810.02(4)(B) Counts: 3 LEVEL/DEGREE F2 Petit Theft 1st Degree $100 – $750 FSS/FAC/CO 812.014(2)(E)* Counts: 2 LEVEL/DEGREE M1 “I applaud the manager for her keen eye and fast response to call us so our victims could receive their property back,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “The swift actions of our officers in locating Watson put him exactly where he belongs – behind bars.”
Winter Haven, Florida – According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit a man has been arrested for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder stemming from shooting that took place at a home in the Glad Rd. area of Winter Haven back in February of 2020.
According to the affidavit, deputies were called to the hospital regarding a person being shot multiple times. The victim was a male and he was shot twice. Once in each leg. According to the affidavit the man was transported to the hosptial by a family friend after he crawled to call for help.
The man identified Gabriel Torres (DOB: 12/31/1987) as the man who allegedly shot him. The two men had lived together over a year ago. They had been arguing for weeks. The victim allegedly was sitting on his porch when Torres came and began to argue with him. Then according the affidavit the argument became physical and Torres struck the victim on the head causing a laceration. Torres then allegedly shot twice, hitting the victim in both legs.
Torres has been arrested several times in the past. He is currently charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. He was arrested on July 4.
PCSO detectives have charged South County Jail inmate Noel Torres, DOB 09/14/86 (previously from Orlando), with one count of Aggravated Battery (F1), after he attacked another inmate.
According to the affidavit on Sunday, July 5, 2020, the victim was a trustee assisting with the collection of food trays from inmates following lunch at the South County Jail. As the deputy unlocked and opened inmate Torres’s cell to collect the food tray, Torres rushed past the deputy and struck the victim twice in the face with his hands. This caused the victim to fall backward where his head struck the concrete floor. The deputy immediately locked Torres in his cell and summoned medical help for the victim.
The victim was transported to an area hospital where he is in critical condition.During the investigation, it was learned that Torres and the victim had issues with each other over Torres’s allegation that the victim took food items from the trays.
“Torres is a violent inmate with 60 prior felony arrests proving he is a career criminal with absolutely no concern for others.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Torres was arrested by PCSO on October, 3, 2018, for robbery, burglary of a conveyance, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. On July 3, 2019, Torres battered another inmate and was charged with aggravated battery and is being held on no bond for that charge. His criminal history includes 60 prior felonies and 33 prior misdemeanors, including battery domestic violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping-false imprisonment, battery on a law enforcement officer, robbery, grand theft, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, and possession of drug equipment.
City
of Davenport Celebrates Grand Opening Of Fire Station No. 2
by
James Coulter
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Nearly
three months after opening for operation, Davenport’s second fire station
celebrated its grand opening last Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
hosted by the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce.
The
3,000 square-foot building, which includes a 1,200-square-foot drive-through
bay, houses two trucks and a mini-pumper, and will be manned by six
recently-hired firefighters, as reported by Four Corners News-Sun.
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The
new facility was constructed to help service Davenport’s growing population,
which is likewise expected to see an increase of emergency calls, with the city
now home to approximately 11,000 residents, the News-Sun reported.
Davenport
Fire Chief J.T. Torrance proudly boasted about how the constructed project was
finished on budget, not once going over its $700,000 funding, the News-Sun
reported.
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Nearly
three months after finishing construction, the new facility celebrated its
grand opening with an inauguration ceremony hosted by the local Chamber of
Commerce. Attending the event that afternoon were many important local figures,
including State Representative Sam Killebrew and County Commissioner Martha
Santiago.
The
ceremony started with opening comments from City Mayor H.B. Robinson III and
Fire Chief Torrance. Polk County Fire Chaplain Murphey Hanley offered the
opening invocation, and the national anthem was performed by students from
Ridge Community High School.
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Vice
Mayor Brynn Summerlin mentioned how the new fire department shows how much the
city has grown over the past few years. As a local resident since 1969, he
remembers fondly how his father and his father’s friends worked for the
volunteer fire department, which answered calls from a fire horn at City Hall.
“We
outgrew them,” Summerlin said. “We became a town large enough that we
needed something bigger and better than a volunteer fire department. This will
not be our last firehouse. I think this is the second of many to come.”
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During
his opening invocation, Chaplain Hanley praised God for providing the city with
the blessings of growth and size, and by offering it with the necessary
resources to construct a new facility to better provide necessary services.
“We
thank you for this facility and the people who dedicated their lives to the
service of others,” he said. “We will have this place to call their
house to train, to hone their skills, and when the call is over, to gather,
regroup, and refresh.”
Most
prominent about the new facility is how it helps betokens the city’s Insurance
Services Office (ISO) rating, which helps determine homeowner’s insurance
rates.
The
city’s ISO currently stands at 2, the closest rating to the lowest rating. The
lower the rating, the lower homeowner insurance rates. The city hopes to
eventually reach an ISO rating of 1, Vice Mayor Summerlin said.
“That
is a reason we are jumping up and down with these ratings: because it can be
higher, and your rates can be higher,” he said.
The
new fire station is located at 1461 North Blvd. West in Davenport. For more
information, visit https://www.mydavenport.org/fire
