u/indigodreams2020

I was physically assaulted by Polk County Sheriff's Officers (PCSO) on Tuesday after doing ministry to the unhoused on private property (with permission of owner). My friend and I brought toilet paper, beans, rice, menstrual products, and checked on the disabled residents. PCSO didn't wear body cameras. I was filming as a passenger, said "I'm not resisting," and verbally agreed to exit the vehicle during a traffic stop. I got out voluntarily with my hands up. PCSO turned off my recording as 5, but maybe 7, officers initiated an assault from behind and slammed me to the ground. (I thought 5 at the time, but when I went to pull records, administration told me at least 7 officers were cited in the use of force)

People might also find it ironic that I am from a law enforcement family and the daughter of a retired PCSO detention deputy. I grew up socializing with a lot of other PCSO families. Back in high school, Grady Judd awarded me a small first responders grant for college for being the daughter of a deputy. Basically, I don't have bitterness towards cops, but I'm aware of the problems because I grew up watching the men and the women working there talk about the problems.

So anyway, back to the assault. I sustained injuries, informed officers of my injuries, and they never offered medical attention. I was detained for 90 minutes in restraints and later released from the scene with no charges. Officers never informed me I was under arrest; they just attacked. Obviously once the assault started, I realized I was being arrested and asked for an explanation. They stated multiple times they do not need to tell me the reason for my arrest.

A supervisor sargeant was called to the scene (after the assault) and said the reason was because "that is their training." I showed him my video, and the sergeant said the officers' side is different what my video shows. He then told me I had to stay handcuffed while they seized my purse and completed drug tests on my belongings. He also said that PCSO doesn't want people doing ministry here because the people don't deserve our help. (There are children and small animals, so I'm just like, REALLY even the kids and kittens? Plus I support outreach efforts in multiple locations, so there's enough to go around.)

My friend who was driving was also manhandled, like she is elderly and was thrown up against the car and kept in handcuffs for 6+ hours and was booked/processed at the jail. Her injuries were scrapes, torn shoulder muscles, etc.

My injuries are insane. Nothing broken, but I have TWO sprained wrists. Sprained shoulder. Sprained knee. Sprained neck (cervical contusion). Lumber contusion. Even my jaw is sprained, with facial contusions. I have bruising in the shape of handprints and fingers grabbing me.

Literally 3 hours later we were told the reason for the traffic stop was because we rolled past the white line on the stop sign. EXCEPT an undercover car reported as backup and officers approached us wearing gloves, which is not normal for a stop sign traffic stop. And the even crazier part, that road is kinda in the holler, SO THE STOP SIGN DOESNT EVEN HAVE A PAINTED STOP LINE. We got photos of the intersection. No crosswalk. No stopline. WHICH MEANS you just have to stop before entering the road you want to turn into.

When I'm not complaining about data centers or overdevelopment, I am a devout Christian who has been doing unhoused ministry for over 20 years with different Polk organizations and churches before starting a small direct outreach myself. If the officers had just asked me about the ministry, I would have been happy to tell them

I need your help. I need to get this story out as quickly as possible before it gets buried. If my testimony resonates with you, I need some of these concrete actions below, not just likes or comments.

[READ our press release](https://blog.blessedbyliberty.org/?post=media-advisory-2-dobl-volunteers-brutalized-after-feeding-the-homeless#blog)

[SHARE our video](https://youtu.be/sxaTkhJ\_WtY)

especially if you can share with media outlets out of state or relevant content creators

[DONATE to our legal and medical fees](https://gofund.me/b6f4186f)

COMPLAIN to Internal Affairs PCSO at 863-298-6506 for case #26-26476.

EMAIL Polk County Commissioners

BeckyTroutman@polkfl.gov; RickWilson@polkfl.gov; BillBraswell@polkfl.gov; MarthaSantiago@polkfl.gov; MichaelScott@polkfl.gov

Celebrating the True 250 with Defund Oligarchy Blessed by Liberty

(a local freedom of speech gathering in solidarity with All of U.S. 250)

All of us means ALL. All of our history. All people. All wildlife. All nature. We are seeing our state facilitate exclusion and censorship in our schools and universities. At the same time, rampant overdevelopment of ecological and agricultural land — literal history being paved over! Local Floridians being silenced for corporate interests!

Our event in Lakeland will be a demonstration on the intersection of Town Center Drive and Harden Blvd. We will have goodie bags, a plant giveaway, and some interactive activities. We are collecting donations for our homeless outreach. We will end by 12 pm.

We will have information about what problematic development proposals to look out for this summer and how to submit your ideas & complaints about city planning.

Meet on the public sidewalk outside Lakeside Village (near the Louis Pappas and Starbucks). You can park inside the mall, but then take the sidewalk to walk outside the mall. Prepare for the heat; please bring sun protection, water, and a chair if you need. Sun umbrellas are encouraged.

This is a community gathering in the park celebrating May Day organized by DOBL. This is our 2nd annual event.

May Day is international workers day. There are calls for boycotting corporations and for supporting strikes. In the spirit of this, we want to show people where they can put their time and energy so they can support the local Polk County community. Community over corporations.

Besides sharing information about issues affecting working-class families in our county, we will highlight organizations needing volunteers or donations. We have a few speakers and encourage you to mix and mingle to learn more.

Accessibility info

Parent-friendly event, kids welcome. Flat ground, public sidewalk. Parking is the Kentucky lot, and limited parking around Lake Wire.

More info [here](https://mobilize.us/s/txwtrD)

If you are a group in the community doing work on homelessness, migrant welfare, conservation, animal welfare, consumer protection, education, and would like to be included, please reach out.

One of the speakers has a mission providing shelter to the unhoused. We kindly request attendees consider bringing donations for the unhoused. Perishable donations are accepted, as these will be taken back and immediately distributed to the unhoused community after the event.