Sydney Holder
ECB Publishing Inc.
The fifteen rural sheriffs met with Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday, May 27.
Over rising concern regarding the methamphetamine epidemic, a coalition of rural sheriffs from surrounding counties held a meeting with Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday, May 27. The sheriffs sought to express that incarceration is not a solution, and that rehabilitation is the key to addressing the epidemic.
“Incarceration is not the end goal or solution,” Sheriff Smith's Facebook page reads. “Resources are needed for rehabilitation, prevention and enforcement. It is necessary to have a multifaceted approach to address the associated issues.”
According to Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith, DeSantis was attentive to the issue at hand and expressed intent to aid the sheriffs in any way possible, particularly through funding.
Several meetings regarding the methamphetamine epidemic have been held following up to the meeting with Governor DeSantis. The 15 rural county sheriffs include Jefferson County Sheriff Mac McNeill, Madison County Sheriff Harper, Calhoun County Sheriff Kimbrel, Dixie County Sheriff Butler, Gilchrist County Sheriff Schultz, Glades County Sheriff Hardin, Gulf County Sheriff Harrison, Franklin County Sheriff Smith, Hamilton County Sheriff Reid, Holmes County Sheriff Tate, Lafayette County Sheriff Lamb, Liberty County Sheriff Money, Taylor County Sheriff Padgett, Union County Sheriff Whitehead and Washington County Sheriff Crews.
DeSantis' plans to increase funding are currently underway and the rural sheriffs have been receiving assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Jefferson County Sheriff Mac McNeill was present for all the meetings leading up to the meeting with Governor DeSantis. He partnered with the other 14 sheriffs to come up with new ways to combat the rise of drug in the counties. “We, as rural sheriffs, appreciate Governor DeSantis taking the time to listen to our concerns about the effects illegal narcotics are having on our communities. The Governor’s commitment in funding and assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will no doubt make our communities a safer place to live and work,”stated Sheriff McNeill.
You must be logged in to post a comment.