Breaking: Inman-Johnson Campaign Promotes Anti-Law Enforcement Video as “Must See TV”

Just weeks before the general election, a video shared by Dot-Inman Johnson’s campaign manager and City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow reveals the anti-law enforcement views adopted by the local progressive movement. These views are being shared with campaign followers, but not promoted in campaign advertisements.

A twenty-minute video featuring Serenity Williams, the head of the Leon County Young Democrats and an Inman-Johnson supporter, states police officers do not deter crime and that the location of the TPD headquarters will result in more policing of “our people.”

This video was shared by Inman-Johnson’s campaign manager and husband, Lee Johnson, on Facebook with the message “Must See TV.” Matlow also shared the video on his social media accounts.

Campaign Messaging

During the campaign for control of the Tallahassee city commission, Dot Inman-Johnson and her financial backer – City Commissioner Matlow – have messaged voters with their fiscal concerns over the city property tax increase that funded more police officers. The campaign also raised fiscal concerns about the cost of the new TPD police headquarters.

The messaging is designed to attract conservative voters in an election that features two Democrats.

However, now it appears that Inman-Johnson and Matlow are concealing their true policy positions about law enforcement from everyone but their core followers, while pushing a fiscal conservative narrative to others.

Are their concerns about taxes or law enforcement?

Hiring Police Officers Does Not Deter Crime

In the video, Ms. Williams states there are no studies that indicate that hiring more police officers deter crime. This false statement – there are plenty of studies that show the impact of police officers on crime – is an attempt to criticize the city commission’s recent decision to hire more police officers to address a 2023 spike in violent crime.

However, with the Inman-Johnson campaign promoting the video as “Must See TV” to the campaign’s Facebook followers, the content of the video raises concerns about Inman-Johson’s actions if elected. Will she vote to cut police officers and other law enforcement resources?

Tallahassee’ “Cop City”

Iman-Johnson and Matlow have also raised concerns about the cost of the new Tallahassee Police Department headquarters located off of Tharpe Street. However, in the video, Williams refers to the new headquarters as “Cop City”, a derogatory label used by the defund the police movement in Atlanta who have violently opposed a new police facility.

In addition, Williams states the location of the new headquarters – across from RAA middle school – is racist. Williams says the location makes it easier for law enforcement to police “our people.”

Where Does Inman-Johnson Stand?

TR has sought out comment from the Inman-Johnson campaign on this issue. In the past, the campaign has refused to respond to our questions.

It appears it will be up to other local media outlets to question her about the anti-law enforcement views shared by her campaign.