LAKELAND, Fla. - Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and state Rep. Ross Spano discussed a multifaceted proposal Friday on preventing gun violence tragedies.
Judd, Spano, Southeastern University President Kent Ingle and Bethel Baptist Church pastor Wayne Roberts spoke at a news conference Friday morning.
"This is not something we want to do," Judd said. "This is something we have to do."
The Polk County Sheriff's Office recommended a nine-step approach to prevent gun violence like the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
"Gun-free zones are not working," Judd said. "How did it work last week?"
The sheriff's office's recommendations include:
1. Dedicate matching state funds for school district spending on hardening school facilities.
2. Allocating state funding for at least one armed school resource officer on every public school campus.
3. Expand the Sentinel Program, which Webber International University introduced on Thursday. The program allows for select staff to carry a concealed gun in case of an active shooter. The selected volunteers undergo extensive training, a psychological exam, a criminal background check and a drug test.
Webber International University is set to become the second Polk County university to implement the Sentinel Program.
Southeastern University became the first Polk County university to implement the program last year.
"I can tell you our entire community has been overwhelmingly supportive," Ingle said.
Ingle emphasized the rigorous, 132-hour training required of volunteers in the Sentinel Program.
"We want to provide the safest and most secure learning environment for our students, faculty and staff," Ingle said.
4. Pass legislation to criminalize threats, providing law enforcement and prosecutors the necessary tools to intervene when threats are reported.
5. Mandate reporting by people with custodial responsibilities to strengthen "see something, say something." People with custodial responsibilities include health care professionals, guidance counselors, school nurses, teachers, administrators and daycare providers.
6. Develop a process where the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) can create a standardized security and risk assessment for school districts to implement with local law enforcement.
7. Request the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission create standardized curriculums for the Sentinel Program and active-shooter training.
8. Pass Senate Bill 1048, which would enable churches and other places of worship to allow members of their congregations who are licensed to carry a concealed gun to carry during services, even if there is a school on the property.
If a church has a school, this proposed rule would not be in effect during school hours or during the school's extracurricular activities.
SB1048 is set for a third reading on the state Senate floor as of Feb. 8, 2018.
9. Introduce gun violence restraining orders.
Spano, R-Dover, expressed his condolences to the victims and their families of the Parkland shooting.
Editor's Note: Refresh this story for the latest updates.
