Cops vs. artists

What’s with the Miami police, who ran down a street artist who later died? And this after Miami Beach police Tasered another artist who then died.

Isn’t there a way for police to realize that citizens not committing capital crimes ought to be in “no-kill zones” no matter where or what?

Where are the protests? Where is the outrage? Where are the pols and the editorial writers? Is it open season in Miami on all miscreants, no matter the level of their wrongdoing?

Eileen Foley, Toledo, Ohio

Comments

Child advocates across Florida applaud the 2019 Florida Legislature for passing significant laws that aid the fight to prevent human trafficking. Sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book and Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, the law would shine a bright light on the places where these heinous crimes are committed — many of which, sadly, could have been prevented. This anti-human trafficking bill, HB 851, requires educating the employees of hotels, massage parlors and adult theaters on how to spot the signs of trafficking and common practices. It calls for those employees who see evidence of these crimes to report suspicious activity to the confidential National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888). The law also reclassifies strip clubs that employ underage victims who commonly come from the foster care system and overseas, only to become trapped by trafficking rings — as adult theaters. Additionally, the law requires that law enforcement personnel be educated on trafficking to improve enforcement. Further, it would create a Prostitution Public Database of those convicted of soliciting prostitution in Florida and a fund to support the enforcement through steep fines, and to help the victims. The bill comes none too soon for would-be victims. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 367 cases of human trafficking in Florida in 2018, the third highest in the nation. Sadly, that’s a fraction of the 2,133 calls to the Florida Abuse Hotline reporting trafficking in 2017-2018, a figure that’s up 147 percent over the past four years, according to the Florida Statewide Council on Human Trafficking. This law, which was the last substantive bill passed by the Legislature in its recent session, is an laudable, aggressive step in attacking some of Florida’s most vile crimes. Howard M. Talenfeld, president, Florida’s Children First, Fort Lauderdale

KEEP READING

Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Cops vs. artists | Miami Herald

Letters to the Editor

Cops vs. artists

Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month

Comments

Air & Sea Show take over Miami Beach during Memorial Day weekend

Mass Baptism at Marlins Park

Read Next

Letters to the Editor

Florida does right in passing human trafficking legislation

MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor

Gov. DeSantis must restore felons’ voting rights

Letters to the Editor

Why I stopped shooting and carrying handguns

Letters to the Editor

Russia’s actions in Venezuela are rightly concerning

Letters to the Editor

Coral Gables historic La Salle building mattered

Letters to the Editor

Why did the Miami-Dade’s legislative delegation roll over in Tallahassee?

Letters to the Editor

Celebrating diplomacy and America’s global leadership

Take Us With You

Subscriptions

Learn More

Advertising

Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month

Read Next

Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month

#ReadLocal

MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Take Us With You

Subscriptions

Learn More

Advertising