Governor hands bonuses to new Cape police officers

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants Florida to be a “law and order” state, which starts by bringing in and recruiting police officers, locally and from elsewhere, and paying them accordingly.
DeSantis held a news conference at the Cape Coral Police Department today where, in front of local political dignitaries, he gave $5,000 bonus checks to eight new CCPD recruits.
DeSantis said there were many people in the state who have attacked law enforcement, saying agencies needed to be defunded while crime rates rose, especially in inner cities.
“We understand the vital role law enforcement. We want to have safe streets and safe communities. That was something we universally expected. Now, you’ve seen that erode,” DeSantis said. “Some cities are run like third-world countries, and when crimes rates go up, communities start to fray.”
DeSantis said to combat low morale it was time to reward people for being in law enforcement by offering $5,000 recruitment bonuses for officers coming from other states as well as new officers in state.
Eight Cape Coral officers who came aboard this year and were baptized by fire with their work during Hurricane Ian, were recipients.
Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore said just two weeks after Ian struck, the progress has been amazing thanks to the work of the city, state and, especially CCPD, officers.
“They haven’t taken a day off, they’ve been working hard and are a big part of bringing the city back,” Sizemore said. “Attracting, recruiting and retaining top talent is the best way to do that. That’s what has happened here and this program has helped. I’ll put our police department against anybody’s.”
Officer Mercedes Phillips, who worked three years in Maryland before coming to Cape Coral in July, said many officers in Maryland were underappreciated, and she knew that wouldn’t happen coming to Florida.
“I want to thank Gov. DeSantis for making this a state where I’m proud to be a police officer. All the support from the top down in the departments like ours give us the motivation to make our community better,” Phillips said before the governor and Dane Eagle, Secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, doled out the checks.
This is on top of the $1,000 bonuses given to veteran police, fire and EMTs in the state.
DeSantis also gave a progress report on the recovery from Hurricane Ian, saying that schools would be reopening for students next week, that the bridge to Pine Island is operating again and that t Sanibel Causeway would be reopening for commuters very soon.
DeSantis also told those who have applied for FEMA and haven’t received funds to be patient and see what they’re looking for. As for insurance, DeSantis said he felt Citizens would be able to pay out claims, but wasn’t sure how other companies would handle claims of wind and flooding.
He believed the companies in Florida would be able to pass the stress test and pay out claims with help from the state’s reinsurance program passed in special session in May.
DeSantis also expressed dismay at the decision made to give the shooter in the Parkland school massacre a life sentence instead of the death penalty.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com