OCT. 10 Hot Topics Report by Dean Johnson
Both Orlando Police Chief John Mina and former Florida Highway Patrol chief Joe Lopez have long-time careers in law enforcement, so it figures that they are like-minded on some issues.
The two, on the Nov. 6 ballot for Orange County sheriff, spoke Wednesday at the League of Women Voters Orange County Hot Topics event. Both are running as independents; a third candidate, Democrat Darryl Sheppard, was invited to Wednesday’s Hot Topics but did not attend.
Moderators Judge Bob LeBlanc of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court and attorney Richard Dellinger of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed covered a lot of bases with the questions posed to the candidates – with Lopez and Mina basically agreeing that the controversial Stand Your Ground law needs changes (or repeal); that there should be a three-day waiting period for gun buyers; that homelessness, mental illness and opiod abuse need solutions; that school resource officers are a must and that they should be the only ones armed in schools; and that juvenile civil citations (in lieu of the young getting police records for selected infractions) work.
Other key words during the discussion – transparency and accountability.
Mina: “We have had issues with [body cameras], but we have been transparent about them.”
Lopez: “Accountability is how your community trusts you.”
Lopez: “We have to be prompt with internal-affairs reports…and also transparent.”
Lopez, who said “it’s a calling” for him to serve the community and that he wants to be “the sheriff of diversity,” is all about showing the positive side to policing – having officers mentor kids through programs of the Police Athletic League, for instance.
Mina said Orlando and Orange County have been good at getting homeless people off the streets, but “we lack a walk-in center and need more state mental-health funding. We can’t arrest ourselves out of the homeless situation.”
Also on Wednesday’s program. Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles talked about security for the upcoming election. He said the No. 1 question he’s being asked is “Have you seen the Russians yet?” His answer is “no.” “There is no proof of 2016 intrusion, and we are not aware of anything so far in 2018. I’m always looking over my shoulder.”
Cowles said voters who send mail-in ballots can go to OCFelections.com to use a tracker that will let them know if their ballot has been received. He stressed the importance of the signature on your ballot envelope matching the signature the elections office has on file.