One day after lauding the actions of Mayor Andrew Gillum’s handling of the crime problem in Tallahassee, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil revised his remarks.
In a statement released by the Gillum campaign and picked up by the Tampa Bay Times, McNeil said, “Under Mayor Andrew Gillum’s leadership, violent crime is down 24 percent, and overall crime is down 10 percent with crime at a five-year low in Tallahassee. Mayor Gillum’s investments into more police officers, restorative justice, and community policing have made Tallahassee safer than when he became Mayor, period.”
However, during an appearance on the The Morning Show with Preston Scott, Scott asked if McNeil’s comments regarding his assessment of Gillum’s action should have included the qualifier “since you have been sheriff?”
McNeil responded by saying, “Perhaps you are right. The caveat should have been this is my perspective since I have been Sheriff.”
McNeil was elected in 2016, which means his comments would be relevant for just less than two years.
Ironically, during his campaign in 2016, McNeil made a campaign issue out of Leon County’s high crime rate and ran a dramatic television ad which showed a model home getting blown away by an apparent shotgun blast.
Also, in a press conference addressing the crime rate on June 7, 2016 – while Gillum was mayor -McNeil said, “I do not see the outrage, the efforts, or a plan to address the issue. No one seems concerned.”
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil Revises Remarks on Gillum’s Handling of Tallahassee Crime added by Steve Stewart on
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Gabriel: Your comment about our —“”local rag—.”is right on point. The Democrat is now costing me over $60 per month (house delivery) and is no where near worth that kind of money. The only reason I have not cancelled it after 50 years of subscribing , is to pick out the latest mess in local politics and the snowflakes / moonbeam comments in their insipid editorials and guest writers( where in the world do they find these people ???)
Well let me tell u now… Stop crying and get behind your new Governor Gullum.. Or are ugoing to do exactly what u say the dems did to trump…..the state is watching you….
What City does McNeil live in? Tallahassee has a terrible crime rate. God help us all if Gillum gets elected.
Dream Defenders, a radical organization that demands an end to “disaster capitalism,” sees Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum as “by far the best candidate for our movement to engage with in pushing our revolutionary vision.”
I believe one of the leaders of Dream Defenders, AKA Occupy Wall St., AKA Black Lives Matter is none other than Gillum’s sister.
Walt, you are in way over your head.
Signed, your deputies.
Gloria Hall McNeil was the Director for Human Resources for the City of Tallahassee for numerous years and is Walt’s wife. She was the gate keeper on who got strategic jobs and pay raises at COT. This was while Anita Favor Thompson was City Manager.
This news site is the worst. It’s as bad as Drudge Report and Newsmax, but masquerading as a legit news source. Who is bankrolling this site?
And your proof is? What statements are inaccurate? Or are you just shooting off your mouth to look stupid because the truth hurts?
Typical illiberal comment. No facts. No examples. Just sling some mud. Not ONE story on this site is factually incorrect. Not ONE. I got banned from commenting on the Tallahassee Democrat because I pointed out factual errors. Spare me, oh anonymous one.
Agree a 100%
Sheriff Walt McNeil did not go through the proper channels to make a statement that was pro Gillum. Nor should he have even made such a statement.
Didn’t Sheriff McNeil hire a public relations Communications person for the sheriff’s office when he was first elected?
Sheriff McNeil owes the citizens of Leon County an apology. He also needs to retract the political statement that he made promoting Gillum.
In the future statements should be cleared and approved through the official Leon County Sheriff’s Office Communications Department and public relations person.
That is probably why Sheriff McNeil went rogue because such a biased political statement would have never been approved by the Communications Department at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
That person would be Rhonda Knight, formerly of WCTV News.
Shonda Knight who is in the same sorority as Sheriff McNeil’s wife. She is getting paid $100,000 and hired a personal assistant with our tax dollars.
Wow…ur so full of shit Hope….. I sure bet he is quacking in his boots he is so scard of u….BIG BAD HOPE….
I think you meant quaking…
McNeil is a friend of Gillum and has said as much in the past. His support for Gillum is evident. His support for socialism is without question.
McNeil and Gillum shared the same campaign manager, Sean Pittman.
Gloria Hall McNeil was the Director of Human Resources and oversaw whongot hired, fired, promoted and received pay raises…..; mystery solved – FBI….
The Harold Knowles corruption trial is well underway in Macon, GA. It’s the criminal events which many believe provided the FBI with information to begin the Tallahassee usual suspect investigation.
Check it out for yourself:
https://www.macon.com/news/local/crime/article219101430.html
Yeah the very same Federal investigation which Andrew Gillum is in up to his eyeballs. Despite claims which kinda ring hollow that Gillum is not a subject of the Federal investigation,
Why does the local rag omit reporting of this trial? Harold Knowles prominent black American attorney and this is not front page news? What a SHAM of selective reporting. We need a trust worthy local paper.
T-Flub does not have time for that. She’s probably busy reviewing the AYCE menu at the New Times Country Buffet.
They reported that Hillary is coming to Tallahassee to campaign for Gillum.
Lock ’em up!!!
I read where HilLIARy will be joining Gillum on the Florida gubernatorial campaign in October, but no mention of where.
You know sumpin?
If she slithers into Tally, I suspect (pun intended) it’ll be at FAMU, where she stumped as First Lady a quarter century ago.
Yes, you are correct! Thank you for keeping it accurate.
Floridians are coming out by the numbers to support DeSantis!