FDLE Pitches ‘Dream Defender’ Rule To Control After-Hours Capitol Access

September 22, 2013

State police plan to limit after-hours access to the Capitol in an effort to avoid a repeat of the month-long occupation of Gov. Rick Scott’s office over the summer by protesters pushing for changes to Florida’s self-defense laws.

Under the proposal by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, members of the public would be expected to leave the Capitol building by 5 p.m. each weekday or within 30 minutes of the end of public meetings. Capitol police could arrest anyone for trespassing who didn’t leave when they were told.

No one could stay overnight or prepare food in publicly accessible parts of the Capitol. There would also be additional restrictions on those who have cards allowing them to access the building and how many people could accompany them.

“The suggested changes are directed at enabling Capitol Police to better secure the Capitol building complex property, safeguard those who work and visit within the Capitol and ensure security services are provided in the most efficient manner,” according to a document outlining the changes.

FDLE released a summary of the proposal to the Tallahassee Democrat after the paper sent in an open-records request. The News Service of Florida requested the document after the Democrat reported on it.

The agency says the full plan is shielded under the state’s open-records law, but it released the outline “in the spirit of honoring the request.” The proposal would still have to be approved by Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. The state fire marshal is also supposed to be consulted.

“At this juncture we have just begun submitting areas of recommended changes to these parties which will be subject to discussions and modifications prior to final decisions being reached in the near future,” the FDLE outline says.

Neither Weatherford nor Gaetz has seen the plan yet, according to their offices. A spokeswoman for Scott referred questions to FDLE.

The plan comes after a group known as the Dream Defenders staged a 31-day sit-in at the Capitol following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The Dream Defenders demanded changes to state laws on self defense, school discipline and racial profiling.

Rep. Alan Williams, a Tallahassee Democrat who worked with the group, said he understood the need to secure the Capitol but didn’t think a “Dream Defender rule” was necessary. Williams said it was also important to make sure Floridians could be heard by state officials.

“I would hope that we ensure that our citizens of the state of Florida continue to have that opportunity before this rule is implemented,” he said.

by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida

Comments

6 Responses to “FDLE Pitches ‘Dream Defender’ Rule To Control After-Hours Capitol Access”

  1. Preda on September 23rd, 2013 5:59 pm

    Why are people not spending this much time in their own community to fight gun violence this story is done their are young people killing each other everyday why not spend time fighting for the children and innocent people still in danger cause people are to scared to take back their own neighborhood. These people are just a bunch of people starting hatred among people. They are to scared to stand up to the thugs making all the problems so the go to a protected area to waist money that could have been used for our youth.

  2. David Huie Green on September 23rd, 2013 2:58 pm

    just charge appropriate rent

  3. Concerned Tax Payer on September 22nd, 2013 6:26 pm

    As far as I am concerned looking at the picture above, a obstruction of egress could could possibly be cited on those folks for blocking the halls. With the environment we live in today, I would say Security of the building work force and government workers is a higher priority than letting anyone picket in the hallways of the capital. The state should set up a designated area outside of the Capital that would be visible to our leaders as they come and go so people can’t say they did not know someone was protesting an issue. The tax payers should not have to pay for the cost of a small group people protesting. Send them the bill to pay back the state.

  4. well on September 22nd, 2013 8:22 am

    Great idea. Can’t believe it was not already in place.

  5. M on September 22nd, 2013 8:15 am

    I still can not comprehend why the state allowed these demonstrators to disrupt the business of the state for so long. I understand the right to free speech, but when these demonstrators infringed the rights of others to access their government buildings they went too far. This kind of demonstration should be allowed only in public areas OUTSIDE of our government buildings. I don’t think the FDLE and Gov. Scott went far enough in controlling this kind of disruptive behavior with this rule change, and should look at stronger measures. If we don’t, what’s next? Maybe a sit in on the House floor while they are in session?

  6. Robert S. on September 22nd, 2013 7:47 am

    Good move on the part of FDLE. Never understood why the folks were allowed to remain inside the building after closing hours. Even the mall clears people out and locks the doors.
    Support the right of “the people” to peaceful assembly.
    Other than the constant media coverage hardly anyone knew there was a protest going on at all. Even those who were outside the affected area – not working in the building – just sort of yawned and said, “So what?”.
    Maybe next time the Capitol police could provide a couple of E-Z Up canopy tents and a porta-potty and put them on the lawn in front of the building. More exposure and less bother to the business of Florida.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News