News and Investigations

By order of the Sheriff there is a curfew for Polk County beginning at 10:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2020, until 5:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2020.

Please read the declaration - this does not apply to those traveling to and from work and home.

DECLARATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, the past two days in Central Florida there have been incidents of rioting and civil unrest, felonious activity, and aggravated assaults upon law enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, this afternoon May 31, 2020 at approximately 2:00 p.m. serious incidents have occurred in Lakeland and are on-going as of the time of declaring this local state of emergency, including threat of injury to civilians, aggravated assault and or battery to civilian(s), and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. Thus far, participants are not dispersing as ordered by law enforcement officers and the activity is on-going.

WHEREAS, the Governor has not declared a State of Emergency.

WHEREAS, I have determined that there have been acts of violence or a flagrant and substantial defiance of, or resistance to, a lawful exercise of public authority and that, on account therefor, there is reason to believe that there exists a clear and present danger of a riot or other general public disorder, widespread disobedience of the law, and substantial injury to persons or to property, all of which constitute an imminent threat to public peace or order and to the general welfare of the affected jurisdiction.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED, BY GRADY JUDD, SHERIFF, POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA:

Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals:The Recitals above are hereby adopted and fully incorporated herein.

Section 2. Declaration of Local State of Emergency. Pursuant to 870.043, Florida Statutes there is hereby declared a Local State of Emergency within the boundaries of all of Polk County, Florida commencing at 10:00 p.m. on May 31, 2020 and continuing through June 1st, expiring at 5:00 a.m. June 1, 2020.

Section 3. Emergency Measures: Pursuant to 870.045, Florida Statutes a curfew is declared and imposed during the Local State of Emergency and all persons within Polk County, Florida are mandated to stay inside, with the exception of lawfully performing their job activities, including travel to and from said jobs, seeking medical care at a hospital, fire, police, and hospital services, including the transportation of patients thereto, utility emergency repairs, and emergency calls by physicians. Additionally, sale or other transfer of possession, with or without consideration, of gasoline is prohibited.

Section 4. Additional Automatic Emergency Measures: The additional acts specified in section 870.044, Florida States are prohibited automatically, due to the declaration of a state of local emergency.

Section 5: Violations: Violations of this Declaration of Local State of Emergency constitute a crime as outlined in Chapter 870, Florida Statutes and other Florida Statutes.

GRADY JUDD, POLK COUNTY SHERIFF

Date: May 31, 2020