Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly remains steadfast in his commitment to law enforcement, declaring that the pursuit of criminals with outstanding warrants will not be compromised during the impending hurricane, despite calls for a temporary halt in arrests.
As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, authorities are scrambling to evacuate residents and ensure their safety. However, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly has made it clear that his department will not be taking a break from combating crime, even in the face of the approaching storm.
"Anyone that comes in [to evacuation centers] will be checked to make sure they're not a fugitive and not a sex offender," Sheriff Staly stated during a recent briefing. "If you are a predator, you are not allowed in the [sic] shelter."
Florida Sheriff's Unwavering Stand: Arrests for Outstanding Warrants to Continue Amidst Hurricane Milton
This unwavering stance aligns with a broader trend among Florida sheriffs, known for their tough-on-crime approach. Sheriff Staly emphasized that his primary concern is the safety of the community, and that cannot be compromised by allowing dangerous individuals to seek refuge in evacuation centers.
The sheriff's determination to maintain law enforcement efforts during the hurricane has drawn both support and criticism. Some have argued that the focus should be solely on evacuating residents to safety, while others have applauded Sheriff Staly's refusal to tolerate criminal activity.
Florida Sheriff's Unwavering Stand: Arrests for Outstanding Warrants to Continue Amidst Hurricane Milton
"We want to be able to ensure that there's a safe environment, whether it's children with their parents, senior citizens, whoever, that we're not co-mingling them with inappropriate people," Sheriff Staly explained.
Sex predators, even those without outstanding warrants, will be directed to the county jail, where they will remain until the storm passes. "We will put them up in the fire of the jail. And when the storm is over, we'll unlock the door and push them out the door," the sheriff said.
Florida Sheriff's Unwavering Stand: Arrests for Outstanding Warrants to Continue Amidst Hurricane Milton
The policy has been met with resistance from some who believe it is cruel and inhumane to arrest and detain individuals during a time of crisis. Sheriff Staly counters that it is not a matter of compassion, but of protecting the vulnerable.
"When it comes to sex predators, I have no sympathy for them," he said. "I will do whatever it takes to keep them away from our children."
Florida Sheriff's Unwavering Stand: Arrests for Outstanding Warrants to Continue Amidst Hurricane Milton
The sheriff's actions are a testament to his unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order, even in the most challenging of circumstances. While some may argue that it is unnecessary to pursue arrests during a natural disaster, Sheriff Staly's position is clear: crime will not be tolerated, regardless of the conditions.
As the hurricane approaches, Sheriff Staly and his deputies will continue to enforce the law, ensuring that criminals do not take advantage of the chaos and that the safety of the community remains their top priority.
