from (l.) to (r.): Gillian Nanton, CEO, The Advisory Group, Candidate Jerry Demings, and Wesley Kirton
Jerry Demings, one of the candidates in the race for Orange County Sheriff met with the Caribbean business Community, on 10th April 2008. For 90 minutes Mr. Demings sat with a group of about 20 businessmen and women, discussing a range of topics, including the too high levels of crime in Orange County. The meeting, hosted by Gillian Nanton, CEO of The Advisory Group, Inc and Wesley Kirton, Publisher of Florida’s Caribbean Sun Newspaper, took place at The AG Building on Pine Hills Road.
Following insights into his upbringing and family life, Candidate Demings spoke to his 27 years experience in law enforcement owing to the various positions he has held, including, Chief of Police for the City of Orlando, Public Safety Director of Orange County and Interim Director of the Orange County Jail. Not only does Demings have law enforcement experience, but he also served on the Policy Team for Response and Recovery for 2004 hurricanes and assisted with recovery efforts in Mississippi after hurricane Katrina in 2005.
In discussing the troublesome issue of crime and violence, Demings outlined to the meeting a comprehensive approach that would include (i) increasing deputy visibility in neighborhoods and tourist corridors (ii) targeting fugitives from justice, repeat offenders, street gangs, drug dealers and illegal guns and (iii) recruiting a diverse group of deputies, initially filling the present 100 vacancies in the Sheriff’s Office. In addition, he believes that enhanced technology would have to be employed, particularly in relation to dealing with street gangs and according to Demings, “cameras will be used strategically, in commercial districts and resources will be deployed in areas that are most in need”.
Demings believes though, that the best long term crime prevention strategy is to stop it; and the way to do that is to socialize people to make appropriate decisions. In particular, “emphasis must be placed on the youths, with appropriate programs being adopted and positive role models who can be emulated”, Demings noted. This he says goes well beyond the efforts of law enforcement. Everyone– the business community, civic organizations, churches, teachers, parents, law enforcement, etc. would need to be involved.
Jerry Demings speaks from the heart. As an audience member observed, there is an honesty and sincerity when he speaks that is unmistakable. Demings wants to bring a new vision to the Sheriff’s Office– one that is inter-twined in the very fabric of society.
Patiently fielding questions from the audience which included: the role of the Feds and immigrants, rehabilitation programs for youth offenders, and diversity, which some law enforcement officers do not embrace, Demings, explains why he is running for Orange County Sheriff. Initially he didn’t want to run, he says, but subsequently he became very concerned about what is happened in his home town. He opines, “you have to be concerned”. He invokes Einstein,“The World is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it”.
Quietly Demings explains, “ I know what I am doing. There no substitute for experience. I have the leadership skills. I am in it to win”. He has asked for the support of the Caribbean business community in his quest to become the 28th elected Sheriff in the history of Orange Coun
TEGG is in this to WIN it as well.. Jerry did nothing for OPD and that comes from the people that worked for him and now he’s concerned for OC residents.. Im concerned he’s running he and his wife have a monopoly and thats enough..NO MORE DEMINGS in this county.