For those who have not heard the news, Osama bin Laden, leader of Al-Qaida, has been killed. The announcement was made about 10:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. President Obama spoke to the nation confirming the news. Bin Laden was found within a mansion in Pakistan where a firefight took place and bin Laden was killed. The U.S. has possession of his body.
This news has prompted large gatherings in Washington D.C. outside the White House of people chanting “U.S.A.” and celebrating. It also has prompted people in New York City to gather at Times Square. Meanwhile, social networks, like Facebook, have been extremely active as the news has reached a international audience.
President Obama called President George W. Bush and Clinton personally to relay the news. President Bush issued the following statement:
“This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done,” he said.
Although his death is significant and seems to be a morale booster, Obama said, “His death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain vigilant.”
Some American officials have mentioned that security forces will remain alert and have issued a travel warning and U.S. diplomatic facilities have been put on alert, according to CNN.
The news of this event is changing quickly and the details are sure to emerge piecemeal.
At 3 p.m. April 29, Kendall Coffey, attorney for Circuit Court Judge Ilona Holmes, gave a press conference at the home of the judge’s sister, Carmita Scarlett, in which he announced that the judge “would not initiate civil action” at this time.
This is in response to an incident that happened on Easter Sunday in which Broward Sheriff’s officers, thinking they were responding to a burglary in progress, investigated the wrong home, demanding the family members, who had just finished Easter dinner, to leave the home. (See original complete story also in Breaking News, including 9-11 call).
But what Scarlett saw was a man knocking on her window with a flashlight and she feared for her life, not knowing if it was a criminal intending to harm her. So she told her sister, the judge, who happened to be armed. The judge said time and again who she was and announced she was armed. Coffey demonstrated how she carried the gun out of the home at her side, laid it on the ground, announcing that she was putting the gun down. In her other hand, she held a cell phone, and when she went to put that down, announcing what she was doing, they yelled at her to step away from the gun, according to Coffey.
Coffey reiterated that the Judge was only taking prudent steps in this incident and that she was not confrontational in any way and is a respected judge, adding that many judges are armed.
“In the midst of a potentially dangerous situation, she acted prudently,” he said, adding “Judge Holmes is hopeful steps will be taken proactively to avoid incidents like this in the future.
Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti, who also issued an apology to Judge Ilona Holmes in a statement on April 28, also felt his men acted appropriately, but regrets the misunderstanding and the unfortunate events that took place.
The Sheriff said, “This past Sunday, the Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a home burglary in progress from a concerned citizen who provided incorrect information regarding the home address. On scene, the deputies continued to receive incorrect information from the citizen and, based upon this information, believed they were at the correct address.
“A report of a burglary in progress at a residence is an extremely dangerous and tense situation for law enforcement, which requires an assertive response. The Broward Sheriff’s Office is evaluating the circumstances of this incident to ensure that appropriate response procedures were followed.
“We deeply regret that Judge Holmes and her family went through this experience and understand that this incident, resulting from a series of unfortunate events, may have been traumatic for them.”
The judge and her family appreciated it, but Scarlett feels that officers at BSO need sensitivity training, feeling that race may have been a factor in the amount of force used in the incident.
“I don’t think crime has a color to it,” said Scarlett. “They need sensitivity classes. The chief explained to me that he has some good cops. I agree. But they were not the same cops who came to my house.”
Scarlett was joined by members of her family and her neighbor Pastor George Brown, whose home was the correct address where BSO should have been investigating, the home where a neighbor saw lights going on and off and, knowing Brown was not home, called BSO fearing burglars were in the residence.
“We still don’t know why [the lights were going on and off],” said Brown.
Scarlett said that their neighborhood is one in which “everyone has keys to everyone else’s homes. We watch out for each other. It’s old fashioned…”
The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for Streetscape Improvements to East Atlantic Boulevard between AIA and Pompano Beach Boulevard on April 27.
This is the first shovel in the ground project in the East CRA District. Planned improvements include reconfigured street lanes, wider sidewalks for outside dining and improved landscaping, according to Sandra King, spokesperson for Pompano Beach.
Construction will officially begin on May 2.
During the ceremony, Mayor Lamar Fisher said, “This has been a long journey. Now we can celebrate that a vision has become a reality and that dreams do come true.”
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When a female called 911 to report a burglary at a friend’s house, police never expected to interrupt a family’s Easter dinner, at the wrong house.
On Sunday night, April 24, the Deerfield Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on SW 4 Avenue where they met Nikeya Curry who directed deputies to a home she said was being burglarized.
“We were directed by a resident who directed us to a house and told us that house with lights going on and off was not supposed to be occupied,” said Jim Leljedel, Media Relations Director. “Police were responding to a burglary in progress and handled it by the book.”
Deputies however,banged on the door of the home of Broward Circuit Court Judge Ilona Holmes’s family who was not happy at having her Easter dinner interrupted by police pointing guns at her and her family to exit the home. Holmes even came outside armed until BSO asked her to place her gun down.
It was quickly realized that the house allegedly being burglarized was the house next door to Holmes’ family and BSO investigated, finding it unlocked but nothing missing.
Kendall Coffey, Judge Holmes’ attorney, said that Holmes is currently focusing on her work, but confirmed he has been contacted for her case.
“I have, on her behalf, been in contact with the General Counsel for the Broward Sheriff’s Office and have communicated our concerns about the recent incident,” said Coffey. “We have been assured that the matter will be appropriately reviewed and have no further comments at this time.”
Leljedel said police did their job and went to the house they were directed to by the resident.
“We’re trying to reach out to them (Holmes and family) and explain this was a burglary in progress and is the reason why it was handled the way it was.”
On April 20, FPL began to remove electrical poles and wires along Hillsboro Boulevard, which were previously de-energized as part of the Hillsboro Boulevard Streetscape project. Overnight work by FPL crews will continue over the next several weeks, with this portion expected to be complete by May 20, 2011. This phase is proceeding during evening hours to lessen the impact on traffic in the busy corridor. Work on Hillsboro Boulevard will commence at the A1A intersection and proceed west to the Federal Highway intersection. There will be temporary lane closures associated with this work. For more information about the project, call the Community Redevelopment Agency at 954-480-4263 or the Environmental Services Director at 954-770-4246.
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On April 16, Real Estate mogul and TV celeb Donald Trump visited Sanborn Square in Boca Raton to speak at the 3rd Annual Tax Day Rally for the Tea Party. Trump was joined by other guest speakers including Congressman Allen West, Bill Nelson, Adam Hasner and radio personality Joyce Kaufman, who emceed.
Trump is considering running for President in 2012, but he will not make an official announcement yet. “Sometime before June,” he continues to say. But, he had plenty to say at the rally about everything from inflation and gas prices to trade with China and our involvement with Libya. He also seemed to have plenty of support from the large crowd that had gathered.
As of 5:58 p.m., Thursday, April 14, Governor Rick Scott issued an executive order to suspend Deerfield Beach District 2 commissioner Sylvia Poitier from public office.
“Until a further executive order is issued, or as otherwise provided by law” –she is prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office, from receiving any pay or allowance, and from being entitled to any privileges of office.
She is charged with four counts of falsifying or avoiding a record, one count of falsifying proceedings – a first degree misdemeanor.
Poitier has said she is not going to resign from office while fighting those charges.
“This community will still continue to stand behind Commissioner Poitier – that’s all I can say at this time,” said her campaign manager and community activist Terry Scott.
On Friday, city officials were in meetings, trying to determine what comes next.
By definition, suspension –“to cause to cease or become inoperative for a time; stop or withhold temporarily”– is less final than being permanently removed from office.
The city has experience with removal from office but not so much with suspension of commissioners.
Following the December 2008 arrests of both former mayor Al Capellini and former District 4 commissioner Steve Gonot on unrelated felony corruption charges, Gonot resigned, Capellini was removed from office by the governor.
Deerfield Beach commissioner Sylvia Poitier has been officialy removed from official duties. Late Thursday night, April 14, Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order suspending Poitier after she was charged with four counts of falsifying or avoiding a record in violation of Florida Statuutes. In addition she is facing one charge of falsifying proceedings.
Poitier turned herself into Broward County Jail on Wednesday, April 14. See previous article here.
On April 7, at about 2 p.m., the corner of Hillsboro and Federal was blocked off. Sirens blared, motorcycles revved their engines and runners ran all to benefit Special Olympics. Even the SWAT team was on hand.
Some of the runners had traveled all the way from the Miami-Dade line. Members of the Special Olympics joined at the beginning and ending of the race. Their goal — to carry the torch and pass it across the Palm Beach line to hand it to a new team of runners. But when they arrived, the runners were not there not receive it. Undaunted, they looked forward to the planned celebration at Dan Witt Park figuring they could hand it off there.
This run is part of a 1400-mile statewide relay that will culminate on May 13 in Buena Vista at the opening ceremonies of the Florida Special Olympics Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Those wanting to donate to the Special Olympics can call 954-262-2150. www.specialolympicsbroward.org.
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Join Special Olympics athletes and approximately 300 law enforcement officers from agencies throughout Broward County as they take part in a 32-mile countywide torch relay to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. The Special Olympians will run with the Olympic torch at the beginning and at the end of run and will then celebrate the completion of the run with a fun picnic at Dan Witt Park, located at 4521 NE 22nd Avenue in Lighthouse Point
The Broward Law Enforcement Torch Run is part of a 1,400-mile statewide relay that will culminate at the opening ceremonies of the Florida Special Olympics Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista on May 13, 2011.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office is also asking for support and sponsorship from local businesses and organizations. All contributions will go directly to Special Olympics programs in Broward County. The goal this year is $75,000. Anyone interested in making a charitable donation is asked to contact Ms. Linda Mills at Special Olympics Broward at (954) 262-2150. For additional information concerning the run, please call Broward County Torch Run Coordinator, BSO Lt. Colonel Tim Gillette at (954) 321-4895.
8:30 am Start at A1A and Miami-Dade/Broward County line in Hallandale Beach
9:00 am A1A and Hollywood Boulevard
9:30 am A1A and Dania Beach Boulevard
10:10 am Federal Highway and Eller Drive (North of Griffin)
10:30 am 17th Street Causeway west of bridge
11:00 am A1A and Terramar
11:20 am Federal Highway and 13th Street
11:40 am Federal Highway and Oakland Park Boulevard
12:00 pm Federal Highway and NE 55th Street (North of Commercial)
12:15 pm McNab Road (SE 15th Street) and Federal Highway
12:30 pm Atlantic Boulevard and Federal Highway
12:45 pm Federal Highway and NE 24th Street
1:00 pm Federal Highway and NE 39th Street
1:20 pm Federal Highway and SE 10th Street
1:45 pm Broward/Palm Beach County line (followed by picnic at Dan Witt Park in Light House Point)
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For those who have not heard the news, Osama bin Laden, leader of Al-Qaida, has been killed. The announcement was made about 10:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. President Obama spoke to the nation confirming the news. Bin Laden was found within a mansion in Pakistan where a firefight took place and bin Laden was killed. The U.S. has possession of his body.
