Week In Review
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and I am asking Floridians to join our fight to make Florida a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking. This is an atrocious crime, and if we are going to end this illicit practice in our state, it will take all of us working together.…
This week, I joined local and state law enforcement leaders to encourage Floridians to be safe on our roadways this holiday season. While Floridians are enjoying this time of family, friends and festivities—what they may not know is that this is also when we see an increase in DUI arrests and…
This week, I announced millions in relief for consumers regarding cancellations, purchases and scams related to the pandemic. Once COVID-19 hit Florida last year, my Consumer Protection Division kicked into high gear to protect Floridians from scams related to the health crisis—working…
This week, along with the Florida Retail Federation and law enforcement leaders, I announced the launch of Florida’s first statewide task force to combat large-scale retail theft, as well as a new tool designed to help better coordinate prevention and prosecutorial efforts. The new tool called…
It’s International Fraud Awareness Week and one of the best ways to fight fraud is to empower consumers with information and resources to spot and avoid scams. Fraudsters work day and night to trick consumers into parting with their hard-earned money. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners…
This week, I warned consumers about payment app hack attacks. The COVID-19 pandemic may have prompted more Americans to use these apps in an effort to reduce face-to-face contact. In 2019, 64 million individuals in the United States used peer-to-peer mobile payment applications. There are now…
November is Military Family Appreciation Month. As the holiday season approaches, it’s important that we remember to support the families of our brave soldiers—many of whom serve straight through the holidays protecting our freedom and America’s interests abroad. Our Brandon is currently serving…
With Halloween approaching this weekend, many Floridians are preparing to celebrate by getting costumes ready and purchasing candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. But the celebration can quickly turn to real fright if planning and safety precautions are not part of the festivities. Ahead of…
This Saturday is the 21st National Drug Take Back Day. This biannual event provides a safe and responsible way to dispose of unused or unwanted pharmaceuticals, such as prescription opioids, that could otherwise fall into the wrong hands. By doing this simple act, you can help prevent drug abuse…
This week, I launched our brand-new nationwide law enforcement recruitment initiative, Be A Florida Hero. Our goal—encourage job seekers from across the country and within our own state to pursue law enforcement careers here in Florida. According to the National Police Foundation, a majority of…
This week, we launched the virtual 2021 Human Trafficking Summit! Every year, the Summit honors outstanding Floridians for their efforts to end human trafficking in Florida. This year is special because Floridians have rallied to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic to continue fighting this…
This week, my office took legal action against the Biden administration for ignoring federal immigration law and exacerbating the crisis at our nation’s Southern Border. The Biden administration’s brazen disregard for federal law is jeopardizing the safety and security of our state and nation,…
Two years ago, this week, we launched our Dose of Reality Florida website. It is designed to be a one-stop shop for Floridians to find information and resources about fighting back against opioid abuse and addiction. We created the comprehensive resource to help Floridians who may be affected by…
This week, I filed a brief in support of a suit filed by 200 City of Gainesville employees, including police officers, against the local government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The mandate requires every city employee to be vaccinated or risk losing their job. I joined Governor Ron DeSantis at a…
This week, I joined Governor Ron DeSantis in support of our great law enforcement officers, sending a clear message to the rest of the nation that Florida is the most law-enforcement-friendly state in the nation. As the wife of a law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand what it means to…
This week, I announced Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin as the keynote speaker for the virtual 2021 Human Trafficking Summit. Chris will be joined by his wife, Mariah, to kick off the launch of this year’s summit—which will include more than 15 hours of presentations by speakers…
This week, I met with attorneys general from across the nation, along with members of my Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, in separate meetings to discuss current trends in human trafficking and how we can work together to combat this abhorrent crime. That is what the upcoming 2021 Human…
As kids across Florida head back to school, and others are completing classwork online, it’s important to prepare them for success and safety—not just in the classroom, but in extracurricular activities, social settings and on the internet. As a parent myself, I know firsthand the challenges of…
This week, we announced a new partnership and tools to help solve crime. My office, along with the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association and the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers are joining together to distribute new promotional material for the statewide crime reporting tip line, **TIPS…
Florida students go back to school next week and as a mother, I know firsthand that sending your kids back to school is an exciting, yet stressful event. It takes a lot of planning and shopping to make sure your student has the supplies they need to succeed in the classroom. The good news is the…