Kat Cammack Ride-Along Letter
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Fox NewsKat Cammack Ride-Along Letter
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Fox NewsDear Esteemed Colleagues:
Last week, I spoke on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 1280, the "George Floyd Justice In Policing
Act." It was during this time that I explained the passion behind my remarks and the presentation of my
husband's bulletproof SWAT vest next to the podium.
The bill, passed last week, strips critical resources that law enforcement officers and first responders like
my husband rely upon to keep them safe in the dangerous situations they encounter daily. Our law
enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety of our communities every day. For the
spouses, children, parents, friends, and neighbors of these heroes, their protection is what keeps them up
at night, wondering if their loved ones will return home safely after a long night shift or emergency call-
out; it is life or death.
We often talk about the importance of police reform—and I, like you, agree that it is much needed and
long overdue. Criminal justice and crime prevention are not talking points that we throw around on the
House Floor; they are important issues for all of us nationwide and ones that deserve our utmost attention.
In dozens of cities across America, local governments have decided to defund and underfund their law
enforcement departments, leading to a rise in violent crime in many of these areas. In New York City,
where city leadership decided to reduce police force funding by nearly one billion dollars, murders rose
nearly 45 percent last year while shootings rose nearly 100 percent. Retention and recruitment are at an
all-time low for our nation’s finest as the assault on those in uniform continues. When it comes to keeping
our communities safe and rebuilding trust in our law enforcement institutions, the best solutions come
with a fully funded and well-trained police force.
Given the gravity of this issue and the importance of it to our national conversation, I invite you and all of
my Democratic colleagues to participate in a ride-along with me and a member of the local police force. I
am happy to host you in my district—Florida's Third—or travel to your district to meet the brave men and
women serving your communities. Understanding the nuances of effective police reform can only be
achieved when we witness law enforcement officers and first responders' jobs firsthand.
It is critical that we restore confidence in our law enforcement community, and this starts at the top. We
all have a lot to learn about these issues, let us start with a conversation, a cup of coffee, and a ride along.
I thank you in advance for accepting my invitation.
In Liberty,
Congresswoman Kat Cammack
Proudly Serving Florida's Third Congressional District
Chapman, Ben. “New York City Homicides and Shootings Rose Dramatically in 2020.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 7 Jan. 2021,
www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-homicides-and-shootings-rose-dramatically-in-2020-11610055243.