Police in St. Petersburg, Florida will no longer be dispatched to “non-violent calls” in the coming weeks; raising serious questions over the safety and security of residents and tourists traveling to the region.
“St. Petersburg police officers will no longer respond to non-violent 911 calls, such as quality-of-life complaints or mental health concerns, amid nationwide calls for budget cuts and policing changes, the agency announced,” reports Fox News.
“The Florida city’s police department will instead send employees from its newly created Community Assistance Liaison division, which officials described as ‘a social service agency.’ They will respond to 911 calls pertaining to a number of issues, including drug overdoses, disorderly intoxications, suicide crises and panhandling, the department said in a Thursday press release,” adds Fox.
“Change is coming to St. Pete Police Department,” said Chief of Police Anthony Holloway during a Thursday press conference.
According to the press release, CAL officers will respond to the following calls:
- Intoxicated individuals
- Mental health crises
- Drug overdose
- Disorderly intoxication
- Suicide crises
- Homeless complaints and panhandling
- Neighborhood disputes
- Truancy, or disorderly minors
- Disorderly juveniles at elementary schools
Read the full report here.
ANARCHY, SEATTLE: Another ‘CHAZ’ Shooting Leaves 1 Person Dead, 1 in Critical Condition
Another shooting in Seattle’s ‘Autonomous Zone’ left one person dead and another in critical condition over the weekend; raising new questions over safety and security in a major American city.
“The shooting victim who arrived at the hospital at 3:30 a.m. from the CHOP area on Capitol Hill in Seattle has unfortunately died, Susan Gregg, a hospital spokeswoman, told Fox News. He was transported to the hospital via Seattle Fire Department medics,” reports Fox News.
Officers investigating a shooting near 12 Ave/Pike Street. Reports of two people injured. More information when available.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) June 29, 2020
“Officers investigating a shooting near 12 Ave/Pike Street. Reports of two people injured. More information when available,” confirmed the Police Department.
Not every 9-1-1 call requires a police officer with a gun. That’s why Chief Best and @SeattlePD are conducting a deep review of SPD’s budget and assessing what functions could be moved to other departments or be removed entirely.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 29, 2020
“Not every 9-1-1 call requires a police officer with a gun. That’s why Chief Best and @SeattlePD are conducting a deep review of SPD’s budget and assessing what functions could be moved to other departments or be removed entirely,” posted the Mayor on social media.
Read the full report at Fox News.
SEATTLE GETS SUED: Business Owners, Residents File Lawsuits Over ‘CHOP’ and ‘CHAZ’ Disaster Area
Enraged business owners and residents sued the city of Seattle Thursday over the failed ‘CHAZ’ social experiment; claiming local leaders encouraged lawlessness during the weeklong ‘autonomous zone.’
“Numerous Seattle businesses – including an auto repair shop, a tattoo parlor and a property management company – sued the city Wednesday, alleging city officials were complicit in allowing an ‘occupied protest’ that has made them feel unsafe in their neighborhood, according to reports,” reports Fox News.
DEVELOPING: More than a dozen businesses inside CHOP zone, on Seattle's Capitol Hill, file 56-page class action lawsuit against the City of Seattle. They're seeking unspecified damages, to be determined at trial. pic.twitter.com/RPlsW3DuNv
— Preston Phillips (@PrestonTVNews) June 25, 2020
“Organizers of CHOP — part of the widespread rioting and demonstrations that followed the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis — said they sought to establish a ‘police-free’ area in Seattle’s Capitol Hill district,” adds Fox.
“Since we have no leadership and we have a city council that’s so socialist, there really is very, very little support for businesses,” said one owner. “As far as the city reaching out to small businesses like ourselves, or any business, there has been zero.”
Read the full report at Fox News.