A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis was among friends at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, where he came with good tidings Tuesday.
DeSantis, accompanied by Mayor Lenny Curry, delivered $1,000 checks paid for by federal American Rescue Plan money. A total of 25 officers got the stipend.
This was the second such event for DeSantis on Tuesday, who started off in Surfside honoring first responders who labored there.
“We wanted to do something to recognize the people who wear the uniform,” DeSantis said, of the “first responders that did so much over the last year.”
The Governor flashed his characteristic sense of humor about the timing of the bonuses, saying of Dane Eagle, Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, that “it took a little time for Dane to get all the stuff ready, but we have checks now.”
DeSantis also offered a gentle version of his rebukes of radicals who would redirect police funding, saying that it’s “sometimes fashionable to knock the police.”
“We’ve heard about defunding, we’ve heard about this or that,” DeSantis said, denoting “difficult circumstances” for law enforcement in the “last year, year and a half.”
Curry noted his own prioritization of law enforcement, including multiple pay raises during his tenure in office.
“I just can’t tell you how much this means,” Curry said of the $1,000 checks, noting that in 2014 when he ran from Mayor, he heard cops’ concerns, such as “pay cuts, benefit cuts, morale in a tough spot.”
Among the 25 recipients was LaKeisha Burton, who is running for Sheriff as a Democrat.
The head of the local police union was among those with positive commentary on the Governor’s largesse.
There has never been a doubt where Governor @GovRonDeSantis stands with law enforcement. Just like this picture, he stands out front & leads the way. Thank you for your unwavering support & coming to Jacksonville to personally hand some of our officers their $1,000 check #GOAT pic.twitter.com/mmZzij9q3o
— Steve Zona (@szonajaxfop) August 10, 2021
DeSantis has often branded around Jacksonville as a hometown of sorts, but Democrat Andrew Gillum carried Duval County in 2018.
Yet DeSantis has found safe harbor with a Republican Mayor at many press conferences, even as he has flexed on culture war issues at others. And whatever he does in this market is carried in the exurban counties, which were in 2018 DeSantis strongholds.
4 comments
Matthew Lusk
August 10, 2021 at 2:39 pm
There are two groups of people in the U.S. who are grossly underpaid for their work. Policing and CNAs. Police officers are often the butt end of county and municipal board decisions by members with near term vision with budgeting stars in their eyes. Local police officers should be making double their current pay and quality would improve exponentially. There would be less crime for society to pay for and costly mistakes which requires litigation settlements in millions. It’s a long term win to increase police officer pay. CNAs barely make above minimum wage to wipe poor delicate old person’s privates. They likewise deserve a doubling in pay. I’m not sure exactly why the pay is so low. The Floor nurse makes 100,000 and up and the CNA makes 15,000 for all the chit work.
Dan Koenig
August 10, 2021 at 3:52 pm
I think this is a great initiative and show of support for our First Responders. However, I am still dismayed at the Governor’s Office overlooking the dedicated Public Safety Professionals that staff our state’s 911 Centers. These dedicated professionals worked throughout COVID in a stressful environment keeping the public and their fellow first responders safe during the pandemic. They endured long shifts and mandatory overtime due to OVID illness or contacts. Their protocols changed weekly for questioning callers before sending police, fire and EMS onto the scenes of calls due to the pandemics or areas of civil unrest. They saw a surge in several types of calls include suicides and domestic violence. Truly, they should have been included in this stimulus package. Dan Koenig, President FL NENA.
Frankie M.
August 10, 2021 at 8:17 pm
Did he tell the officers where the funding came from or did he just give them a nice form letter along with his signature on the check? How much did issuing paper checks cost the state vs direct deposit?
tjb
August 12, 2021 at 11:16 am
Is this money coming from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed by the Democrats and vehemently opposed by the Republicans in Washington? Should LE be giving the Democrats and Joe Biden thanks?
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