Irony alert!
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Sanford police threaten to arrest reporters
By Monique O. Madan mmadan@miamiherald.com
Sanford Police threatened to arrest members of the media who approach or ask questions off the clock.
A press release sent out Wednesday said police would arrest journalists who attempt to make contact with city employees during non-working hours. They asked to not approach, call or email the city employees at home.
Some city staffers have been "followed or approached at their home or in settings outside of working hours," the release said.
"Law enforcement officials will not hesitate to make an arrest for stalking."
However, the Florida statute on stalking does not include language that would provide special protection to city officials or prevent media from asking questions.
Sanford police did not immediately return any calls Wednesday and Thursday morning.
Sanford police and city officials have been heavily observed since late February after their decision to not arrest George Zimmerman sparked national conversations. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old from Miami.
Zimmerman, who is in hiding, is claiming self-defense.
Last week a Florida man was charged with threatening the Bill Lee, Sanford’s police chief, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
Lee was over the investigation at the time but most recently temporarily stepped down.
John Carnduff Stewart of Melbourne Beach emailed Lee on March 23 saying he and his family should be killed.
The subject line read: “Coming after you.”
Stewart said he had several weapons, that he wanted to hurt local police officers. He signed the email with his name, home address and a phone number. Melbourne beach is about 70 miles south of Sanford.
Stewart was placed on electronic monitoring as a condition of his $10,000 bond, reports show. |
