Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is one of the nation’s best, having done some truly terrific press conferences after also having done some awesome police work in locking up criminals. One of those great press conferences was about rioters, protesters, and the differences between them.
Putting the issue plainly so that even leftists that called city-scorching riots “mostly peaceful protests” could understand the difference, Sheriff Judd said:
We saw folks’ businesses burn around this nation who literally had worked their entire life and had every penny of their life savings involved. And what OUR governor said is, “That’s not happening here.” And we’re going to be proactive. And we’re going to make sure people are safe. …
Pay attention. We’ve got a new law and we’re going to use it if you make us. We’re going to protect the people. No longer will people walk up and surround you, as a citizen of Florida or a visitor of Florida, surround you while you’re eating dinner at an outdoor cafe in a big mob without there being immediate consequences and arrest. It’s not acceptable. …
We can tell the difference [between peaceful protest and violent riot]. And I’ll guarantee you that you’ll be able to tell the difference if you come here and riot.
While giving that speech, he had flashcards ready that showed the difference, providing a visual aid for those that have trouble understanding the difference. One showed people in the street, making their voices heard without causing and damage, and another showed the chaos of an inner-city riot.
That press conference came when Florida passed a bill taking an even tougher stance on riots in April of 2021. Speaking about the new law, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, “In Florida, we are taking an unapologetic stand for the rule of law and public safety. We are holding those who incite violence in our communities accountable, supporting our law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to keep us safe and protecting Floridians from the chaos of mob violence. We’re also putting an end to the bullying and intimidation tactics of the radical left by criminalizing doxing and requiring restitution for damaging memorials and monuments by rioters. I am proud to sign this bill into law and appreciate the diligence of our elected leaders in the state legislature, especially Senator Stargel, Senator Burgess, Representative Fernandez-Barquin, Representative Perez and Representative Byrd, for getting this proposal to my desk so swiftly.”
Describing the law, a release put out by DeSantis’ office said:
House Bill 1, the “Combating Public Disorder Act”, increases penalties for existing crimes committed during a violent assembly, and protects the communities’ law enforcement officers, and victims of these types of acts. The bill also creates specific crimes for mob intimidation and cyber intimidation to ensure that Florida will not be a welcoming place for those wishing to impose their will on innocent civilians and law enforcement by way of mob mentality. Crimes of mob intimidation and cyber intimidation both will become 1st-degree misdemeanors.
Florida will not tolerate the destruction and demolition of memorials and historic properties by angry mobs. The Combating Public Disorder Act also creates new penalties for destroying monuments and historic property, the consequences of which include of a 2nd-degree felony and paying restitution for the repairing or replacing of the memorial. The bill is also increasing penalties and rankings for many of these offenses like assault, battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief, burglary, and theft when these crimes are committed during or in furtherance of a riot.
In a more recent press conference, Sheriff Judd mocked a rapper his deputies had arrested for crying like a baby, as we reported on The American Tribune, saying:
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced in a recent press conference that a thug named La’Darion Chandler was just arrested and charged with the killing of 33-year-old John McGee on Dec. 17, 2022.
Sheriff Judd commented on the situation: “Our crime is at a 51-year low, and our violent crime was down last year — shootings like this one don’t represent what’s going on all over Polk County. But there is a problem with very young gangsters shooting at each other – a problem that we aim to solve. The suspects in shootings like this one aren’t even supposed to have guns.”
In addition to being a “very young” gangster, La’Darion was also an “aspiring rapper” who rapped about a murder that near-exactly matched the circumstances in which Mr. McGee was murdered, saying “N**** tried to run / I hit his back / Though I shoot like a mac / Dirt a** dead n***** knowing where to find me at.”
Sheriff Judd commented on those lyrics and La’Darion, saying “He’s not much of a rapper. My rapper expert says he doesn’t sing well. He doesn’t move well. He’s just a terrible rapper. But, he’s a stupid rapper. He not only makes a rap video about shooting somebody, but he also admits to shooting the guy in the back. ‘I’m a coward rapper, that’s what I am. If you don’t believe me, watch me shoot the guy in the back.’”
Watch him here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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