I expect politicians to spin. I expect campaign consultants to scare people.
But I expect my sheriff to tell me the truth.
That is why these Amendment 3 ads make me so angry.
Florida sheriffs are appearing in ads warning us that property-tax relief will mean fewer deputies, slower 911 response times and more crime.
And Grady Judd actually opened one event with this:
“911, what is your emergency? Amendment 3. That’s our emergency.”
Come on, Sheriff Judd. Just because you have become a “influencer” doesn’t mean you can become a fear monger about a piece of legislation. Do better Grady!
Sheriffs investigate before they arrest someone. They gather evidence. They look at all the facts. They do not decide guilt first and then build the case around it.
So why aren’t they doing that here?
Before telling Floridians the sky is falling, investigate the whole budget.
Look at waste. Look at administrative growth. Look at consultants. Look at pet projects. Look at duplication.
Look at every place government can tighten its belt before threatening taxpayers with fewer deputies and slower 911 calls.
Yes, Amendment 3 will reduce property-tax revenue to local governments.
That is true.
But Amendment 3 does not say:
Fire deputies. Slow down 911. Close fire stations. Or make our communities less safe.
Those are political scare lines. And sheriffs should know better.
Thankfully, not all of them are playing along.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz has pushed back on the fear campaign and said voters should not be led to believe that property-tax relief automatically means fewer deputies or weaker public safety.
Good for her.
And here in Jacksonville, Sheriff T.K. Waters deserves a pat on the back.
He has stayed professional and out of the fear game. He has said that no matter what happens with Amendment 3, JSO will continue providing the high level of service Jacksonville expects.
That is how a sheriff should handle this — like a leader.
And here is what bothers me most.
When a sheriff puts on that uniform and looks into a camera, people believe him.
That badge carries trust. It carries credibility. It carries authority.
Using that trust to frighten voters with worst-case scenarios that have not happened and are not required by Amendment 3 is shameful.
Sheriffs have every right to oppose the amendment. They have every right to explain the financial impact.
But if they are going to tell us fewer deputies and slower 911 calls are coming, then show us the entire case.
Show us the numbers. Show us what you would cut first. Show us every dollar you have examined before declaring public safety is at risk.
Until then, stop using the badge to sell fear.
We Back the Blue here at Eye on Jacksonville, and that is exactly why we expect better. Sheriffs are trained to investigate the evidence before reaching a conclusion. We expect that same commitment to the facts when it comes to Amendment 3.
So, in good faith, we are asking the Florida Sheriffs Association to take down these ads. And if they will not, we ask every sheriff who appears in them to take another look at the entire financial picture before telling Floridians what Amendment 3 will supposedly do to public safety.
The badge carries enormous trust.
Please don’t spend that trust on a political campaign.
Because shame doesn’t look good on someone wearing a badge.
