r/lakeland

It was an incredible evening, and we truly appreciate everyone who helped make it another unforgettable Independence Day celebration.

Here’s a short video from just after the finale. (Yes… we couldn’t resist one last encore with a few fireballs. 🔥🇺🇸)

https://youtube.com/shorts/5btMY0\_G8J0?is=Z-17fUmQ8Ge0wKAP

Thank you for supporting a community event made possible entirely by volunteers. We’ll see you next year!

Did anyone else go?

Matching collars, but no microchips. We gave them a bath and dinner, and then they slept in my bed with me all night. We’ve posted them in Facebook groups & Nextdoor but no hits yet. They’re well cared for, housebroken, and sweet angels. Someone is missing them terribly.

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

The response to this year’s event has been incredible, and we want to sincerely thank everyone for your support.

Registration is now closed as we finalize parking, seating, food and event logistics for our registered guests.

If you were unable to register before we reached capacity, you can still join our cancellation wait list. While we cannot guarantee availability, openings do occur from time to time.

To be added to the wait list, text 863-288-0111 with your name and the number of people in your group.

Thank you again to everyone who has helped make this community tradition possible. We look forward to welcoming our registered guests on July 4th for another unforgettable Extreme Pyro Experience!

Near the corner of Hwy 60 & Bailey Rd in unmarked white trucks.