Chainless Change and the undersigned organizations urge that the Broward County Chief Judge, Broward County Commission, Broward County Legislative Delegation, Broward County Mayor, Broward County Public Defender’s Office, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and the Broward County State Attorney’s Office proactively work together to protect our loved ones, those who are incarcerated, and those who set foot in corrections facilities to implement the following common-sense public safety measures throughout the county.

Read our demands.

Incarcerated individuals and jail staff are facing a public health crisis and are at heightened risk of infection as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to grow in Broward County. 

On Thursday, community stakeholders sent a letter to Broward County officials warning that a COVID-19 outbreak in jails could result in disaster for the entire county. 

The letter demanded that proactive steps are taken to protect incarcerated people, correctional and medical personnel, and nearby community members.

Broward County’s Sheriff’s Office has approximately 3,400 individuals incarcerated in its four main jail facilities. Four Broward County Sheriff's Office staff tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the forced isolation of an additional 103 employees. The overpopulated and unsanitary conditions are highly susceptible to viral infections. Broward County institutions do not have sufficient access to medical care, testing supplies and personal protective sanitary equipment needed to prevent an outbreak. 

Florida currently has 8,010 reported cases of COVID-19. Broward has 1,346 cases, making it the second highest count in the state. Both state and local numbers are expected to rise exponentially, putting an increased strain on under-resourced healthcare systems.

Sign our petition to meet our demands and save lives during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Read our open letter.

Signed,

Community Leaders:

Joe Kimok, President, Broward Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Sabrina Javellana, Vice-Mayor of Hallandale Beach

Alfredo Olvera, Realtor 

Alissa Schafer, Supervisor, Broward Soil and Water Board

Brian C. Johnson, Vice-Mayor of West Park

Caryl Shuham, Commissioner of Hollywood

Cindy Polo, State Representative District 103

Emma Collum, Attorney and Supervisor, Broward Soil and Water

Harold Pryor, Corporate Counsel

Julie Fishman, Commissioner of Tamarac

Jasmen Rogers-Shaw, Activist

Josh Rydell, Vice-Mayor of Coconut Creek

Joshua Simmons, Commissioner of Coral Springs

Marlon D. Bolton, Vice Mayor of Tamarac

Michael Gottlieb, State Representative District 98

Mike Gelin, Commissioner of Tamarac

Nancy Metayer, Environmental Scientist

Oscar J. Braynon, State Senator District 35

Ruby Green, Broward County Public Defender

Shevrin Jones, State Representative District 101

 

Community Stakeholders:

Chainless Change, Inc.

ACLU of Florida

ACLU of Florida, Broward Chapter

Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward

Broward Dream Defenders

Broward Young Black Progressives

Broward Young Democrats 

Change Comes Now

Community Based Connections, Inc.

Davis Legal Center

Dolphin Democrats

Fedfam4Life 

Florida Cares

Florida Justice Center

Forging Alliances, Inc.

Friends of Miami-Dade Detainees

Kids Always 1st

Minority Builders Coalition, Inc.

OIC of South Florida

Positive Peer Mentoring

Probation Station

Ruth’s List Broward County

South Florida Reentry Task Force

SPLC Action Fund

Women's March Florida-Broward