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Features
Sulphur Springs Residents Concerned About Recreation Center Extended Hours
Governor Signs Diabetic Emergencies Training Bill
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Police, other elected officials, and community leaders united to bring peace to the troubled areas of Sul- phur Springs.
In an effort to help parents over the summer, Mayor Buckhorn announced that the Spring Hill Recreation Center will be open until midnight for the youth in the community.
Parents and other resi- dents in the area initially thought that was a great idea, but after a recent drive-by shooting involving a 16-year- old girl, those same people are apprehensive and again are questioning whether or not their children will be safe.
City spokesperson, Ali Glisson, said they have tried to initiate all safeguards to protect children using the recreation center.
“There will be plenty of se- curity, and for those parents not comfortable with having their children walking home that late, we will be providing
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this week, Gover- nor Rick Scott signed 17 bills into law. One of those bills was House Bill 201, the Diabetes Awareness Training For Law Enforcement Officers bill. The bill provides for con- tinued training for police offi- cers who come in contact with individuals experiencing a di- abetic emergency.
The need for the bill came about following the death of Arthur Green, Jr., in experi- enced a diabetic episode and died last summer.
In April of this year, Rep- resentative Ed Narain sponsored House Bill 201 (the Arthur Green, Jr., Act) which is named in honor of Mr. Green. Senator Tom Lee sponsored a companion bill in the State Senate. Both bills passed and were sent to Gov- ernor Scott to sign into law.
Mr. Green, 63, was a popular community activist, and one of approximately 26 million Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
According to the National Conference of State Legisla- tors, this is the first bill in the
nation to address the continuing education of law enforce- ment offi- cers in diabetic emergen- cies.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Sulphur Springs students join in cutting the ribbon to open the new Springhill Community Center.
Mrs.
Lena Young Green, widow of Mr. Green said, “I’m truly glad that Governor Scott signed HB 201 into law. Though the law cannot bring my husband back, the dia- betes training that will be available to all of Florida law enforcement agencies will help ensure that no one else does the way that he (Arthur) did.
transportation.
“In anticipation of large
groups of children leaving to- gether, police will provide es- corts and will try make sure each child gets home safely.”
Glisson said the youth of Sulphur Springs will be treated to an array of activi- ties, including late night bas- ketball games, and also entertainment.
“There will be food for them to eat, and just a lot of things going on to keep them
busy.
“In light of what’s been
going on in Sulphur Springs lately, this is our way of try- ing to bring calm to that com- munity, and at the same time not have the kids restricted to their homes for fear of some- thing happening to them.”
City officials said it’s also important that parents con- tinue to be leaders in their community, and keep an eye on the children and make sure they return home safely.
ARTHUR GREEN, JR.
“We will monitor the data and work hard with jurisdic- tions throughout the state. We need their officers trained to recognize when a person simply needs a bit of sugar drink or a glucose shot instead of bringing down the wrath and violent interven- tion of their ‘Backup Forces.’ Please join my family and the community in following the results of this new law,” Mrs. Young Green said.
State Rep. Responds To Diabetes Bill Becoming Law
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Tampa native, Arthur Green, Jr., 63, was experi- encing a diabetic hypo- glycemic episode when he had an encounter with Tampa Po- lice officers on April 16, 2014. He died as a result of that episode.
Earlier this year, State
Representative Ed Narain
sponsored the “Arthur Green, Jr. Act” to provide additional training for law enforcement officers. It was designed to make officers aware of diabet- ics suffering an episode. Sen- ator Tom Lee sponsored a companion bill in the State Senate.
The proposed bill passed in both legislative bodies and awaited the signature of the governor to become law.
Last week, Florida Gover- nor Rick Scott signed House Bill 201, a bill that gained support from law en- forcement officers throughout the state. The bill goes into ef- fect on July 1, 2015.
Mrs. Lena Young Green, widow of Mr. Green said, “My family and I sin- cerely appreciate Rep. Narain and Sen. Lee for passing this legislation that will allow law enforcement throughout the state to re- ceive diabetes training. It will never bring back our loved
one. How-
ever, it will
help the 2.3
million
Floridians
and their
families
who suffer
with the ef-
fects of dia- ED NARAIN
betes every FL State Rep day. We
pray that no one else will ever have to go through losing their family member the way that we did.”
Erin Aebel, Chairperson, Tampa Bay Community Lead- ership Board, American Dia- betes Association said, “The signing of the “Arthur Green Jr. Act” is an important step to making Florida safer for people with diabetes. The As- sociation wishes to thank Governor Scott and Rep- resentative Narain for their leadership in addressing this important issue.”
Rep. Narain said, “I am thankful to my peers in the legislature and the Governor for their support. Florida has taken the lead and paved the way for other states to pass similar legislation that will protect citizens and law en- forcement officers.
House Bill 201 is the first bill in the nation to address the continuing education of law enforcement officers in diabetic emergencies.
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