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Local lawmen to provide help at University of Florida

Written by: October 19 2017
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In an effort to provide safety to those attending a speaking engagement led by white nationalist and President of the National Policy Institute Richard Spencer, the police Critical Response Team unit and Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deputies are heading to Gainesville, officials said.

Spencer is scheduled to speak at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Florida campus. There have been public safety issues regarding supporters and protesters at previous Spencer speaking engagements nationwide which have led to riots and wide-spread public disturbances, police said.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department and the University of Florida Police Departments have requested statewide law enforcement assistance and services for the event for the protection of citizens, students and faculty visitors.

Following the request, Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order Monday to assist local law enforcement’s response to rallies planned at the campus, officials said.

“We live in a country where everyone has the right to voice their opinion, however, we have zero tolerance for violence and public safety is always our number one priority,” Scott said. “I have been in constant contact with Sheriff Darnell who has requested this Executive Order to ensure that county and local law enforcement have every needed resource.”

The police Critical Response Team includes eight police officers and two Indian River Shores officers that are part of the SWAT team as medics, police spokeswoman Anna Carden said. Sheriff’s spokesman Thom Raulen declined to comment on how many deputies from the Sheriff’s Office would be at the event.

No further details were immediately available.

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