Governor Rick Scott today sent a letter to Florida’s Sheriffs and Police Chiefs requesting additional threat and security assessments at religious institutions in Florida. He also directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to hold additional security meetings with faith leaders. Governor Scott is also calling on the Florida Legislature to double Jewish Day School security funding from $2 million to $4 million for this school year. This funding would help ensure students and staff at Jewish Day Schools are safe following Saturday’s anti-Semitic attack in Pittsburgh.
On Saturday, immediately following the shooting in Pittsburgh, Governor Scott directed the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to increase state trooper patrols at religious institutions across Florida. Since 2017, Governor Scott has secured $2.65 million in security funding at Jewish Day Schools.
Governor Scott said, “Saturday’s attack in Pittsburgh was pure evil, and we must continue to be clear – violence and hatred is not tolerated in Florida. Immediately following the attack, we acted to help protect everyone’s right to peacefully worship by ordering enhanced patrols from state troopers at religious institutions, but we must do more. Today, I am directing additional security enhancements and calling on the Florida Legislature to double security funding for Florida’s Jewish Day Schools this school year.
“Over the last few years, we have worked to increase security funding, and the Legislature should take additional action as soon as possible to further our commitment. I appreciate the Legislature’s support, and we are deeply appreciative of Florida’s law enforcement community who put their lives at risk every day to keep our communities safe. We will continue to mourn those who were lost on Saturday and will do everything in our power to prevent this kind of evil from harming anyone in Florida.”
