To Our Residents:

In virtually every opinion poll and survey, public safety continues to be one of the primary concerns for the citizens of Florida. I urge all residents to keep a vigilant watch on legislative issues in Tallahassee. As with all law enforcement agencies, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has a sacred duty to enforce the laws of the state. But while we enforce the laws, we do not write them. That’s the job of the Florida Legislature. Each year, hundreds of new state laws are proposed in Tallahassee.

Many legislative proposals are good laws designed to better protect the public and deserve our support. However, some of the proposed laws that will be considered once the 2010 Legislative session begins in March, could be detrimental to the safety and protection of our society. Two such proposals would create opportunities to reduce sentences for young and older inmates. If passed, these measures would put convicted criminals back out onto the streets to victimize more of our citizens.

Senate Bill 484 would grant early release to certain inmates 50-years-old or older as long as they have already served at least 25 years of their sentence. Quite obviously, anyone who has already served 25 years in prison has been convicted of an extremely serious crime, such as rape, robbery or assault. This is not the type of person we want roaming our streets again, and I strongly object to giving them a reduced sentence just because they’ve reached a certain age. They’re in prison to safeguard the public, and reducing their sentence would do an injustice to the suffering of their victims. This is a bill that deserves to be defeated.

The same is also true for Senate Bill 184 and its House companion, House Bill 23. These bills would reduce the sentence of dangerous youthful offenders under certain circumstances. We’re not talking about minor, youthful mistakes. We’re talking about youthful offenders, fifteen or younger at the time of their crime, who have been convicted as adults to lengthy sentences due to the seriousness of their crimes. Early release would diminish the deterrent value of prison and result in increased juvenile offenders.

Current laws require a convicted person to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.  Prior to that time, the revolving doors of justice let dangerous criminals out early and the crime rate soared. We must not turn the clock back on justice in Florida. I encourage you to read these proposed bills and make your voices heard. We need your help to keep criminals behind bars where they belong and safeguard our homes and our streets. 

Thank you for your support of law enforcement and for taking the time to educate yourself concerning legislation which would not serve the public’s best interest.  Together, we can help to create a safer Florida and keep crime at a minimum in our County. 

Sheriff Donald W. Fleming

Medical Expenses of Inmates Paid by a County or Municipality

SB218 (link)

Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act

HB325 (link)

Pretrial Proceedings

HB89 (link)

SB300 (link)

Adult Protective Services

HB91 (link)

SB336 (link)

Sexual Offenders and Predators

HB119 (link) 

Juvenile Justice

HB211 (link)

Disability Retirement Benefits

SB162 (link)

SB376 (link)

SB502 (link)
          

SB7002 (link)