Moody encourages Floridians to attend ‘National Night Out Against Crime’ events

By Michelle Vecerina

Published Aug. 1, 2023, 1:01 p.m. ET | Updated Aug. 1, 2023

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody urges Floridians support law enforcement, Aug. 1, 2023. (Video/Ashley Moody's office)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Attorney General Ashley Moody encouraged Floridians to support law enforcement by attending a National Night Out Against Crime event near them, taking place Tuesday.

“Tonight, events will be held across the state as people come together and take a stand with law enforcement against crime,” Moody said. “I encourage Floridians to search for a nearby event and show up to support our officers and those who take an active role in keeping our communities safe.”

National Night Out Against Crime is a nationwide campaign that promotes community engagement with local law enforcement officers and includes crime-prevention programs.

Moody has implemented several programs to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and communities including:

Back the Blue: This program highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations taking steps to form positive relationships between law enforcement and local communities. It also recognizes officers or deputies who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect Floridians.
Bigs in Blue: This mentoring program, through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, connects youth with law enforcement officers in communities throughout the nation.
Hallway Heroes: This initiative is designed to strengthen the relationship between students and school resource officers to increase safety in schools. The program encourages students to build bonds of trust with school resource officers and report suspicious activity or crime to the officers.
**TIPS: **TIPS is the first-ever, statewide phone number for anonymous citizen crime reporting. Floridians can call this number on their cellphones from anywhere in the state to provide anonymous information to help law enforcement solve cases and stop crime.

In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida has issued more than 2,265 bonuses in one year through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program.

The program encourages Floridians to join the profession, and attracts out-of-state recruits or experienced officers to relocate to the state.

Each law enforcement officer received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, bringing the total amount awarded to more than $15 million through the program in fiscal year 2022-2023.

“Through the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program, we are ensuring that our law enforcement officers don’t have to think twice about the decision to support their families in a state that puts them first,” DeSantis said.

“Florida’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and I am proud that Florida’s reputation proceeds itself as 668 out-of-state law enforcement recruits have chosen to practice this noble profession in Florida,” he continued.