#avoid florida

[ausetkmt]

Numerous police officers lured to new jobs in Florida with cash from Governor Ron DeSantis’s flagship law enforcement relocation program have histories of excessive violence or have been arrested for crimes including kidnapping and murder since signing up, a study of state documents has found.

DeSantis, who is expected to launch his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination this week, has spent more than $13.5m to date on the recruitment bonus program, which he touted in 2021 as an incentive to officers in other states frustrated by Covid-19 vaccination mandates.

“This will go a long way to ensuring we can have the best and the brightest filling our law enforcement ranks,” Florida’s Republican attorney general, Ashley Moody, said in April last year as DeSantis announced one-time $5,000 bonuses for new recruits.

However, among the almost 600 officers who moved to Florida and received the bonus – or were recruited in state – are a sizable number who either arrived with a range of complaints against them, or have since accrued criminal charges, the online media outlet Daily Dot has discovered.

They include a former trainee deputy with the Escambia county sheriff’s office charged with murdering her husband; an officer with the Miramar police department fired for domestic battery and kidnapping; and a former member of the New York police department (NYPD) who was hired by the Palm Beach police department having once been accused of an improper sexual proposition.

That officer, named by the Daily Dot as Daniel Meblin, was also part of a $160,000 settlement by the NYPD for violence at a 2020 protest against the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in which officers were accused of beating Black males without provocation.

A Palm Beach police spokesperson told the Daily Dot that Meblin – who had complaints against him including abuse of authority and sexually propositioning a teenager – had disclosed his background during the hiring process, according to the NYPD watchdog 50-a.org.

He has been an “exemplary” officer since he was hired in October 2022, the same month he left the NYPD, the spokesperson said, while denying a request to allow Meblin to be interviewed.

The Daily Dot compiled its report from state records it obtained from the Florida department of economic opportunity through a Freedom of Information Act request. The undated document lists payments of more than $8.8m split between 1,310 newly hired officers, with most receiving $6,693.44 from the signing-on and additional bonuses.

In a press release earlier this month, DeSantis announced the program had since grown to more than 2,000 officers, with a parallel rise in cost to more than $13.5m.

“To date, 595 law enforcement recruits from 49 states and US territories have relocated to Florida, including more than 215 recruits from California, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania,” the statement said.

For its report, the Daily Dot matched information from the 50-a and NYPD databases, as well as published media reports, to officers’ names listed by the state.

It says it uncovered “an exodus” of officers to Florida law enforcement agencies from the NYPD in the wake of a backlash against the department for its brutal handling of racial justice protests in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

Among them were at least two dozen officers whose names matched those on the NYPD’s civilian complaint review board database, including some who, according to those complaints, “unlawfully pepper sprayed, assaulted, and pointed their firearms at suspects, as well as used chokeholds and offensive language regarding race and ethnicity”.

A civil rights lawsuit filed in 2018 against former NYPD sergeant Haitham Hussameldin alleged the officer used physical violence against a teenager on her way to school. Hussameldin, now employed by Florida’s Manapalan police department, accrued six formal complaints, including “multiple allegations of abuse of authority and overuse of physical force” in New York, the Daily Dot said. All the complaints were withdrawn or unsubstantiated.

Another former New York officer now employed in Florida was involved in two deaths, one of which led to a $100,000 civil settlement, the Daily Dot reported. And in October 2022, the Apopka police department hired as an officer Justin Burgos, 19, the son of a retired NYPD deputy inspector, who a year earlier was charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and obstruction of governmental administration for driving his car into protesters in Manhattan calling for the firing of an officer accused of beating a Black suspect.

None of the police agencies contacted for comment responded, other than the Palm Beach department, the Daily Dot reported. DeSantis’s office did not return a request for comment from the Guardian.

[ratatatastic]

pregame welcome package of mustamakkara!!! thats what i call spoiling the boys!!!

2024 nhl global series finland game 1 | 11.1.24 (x)(x)

[ruleofool]

Hey all!!

I'm a Transmasc artist trying to pay the bills and get the hell out of Florida, so i'm going to be taking a few of these token commissions to work on when im not at work!!

I'll be taking three at a time, and reopening when each batch is done!

These are not limited to TTRPG / Humanoid characters!

Look to my ToS to see what kind of characters i am able to work on!

> TOS <

Also! If commissioning isn't your speed but you'd still like to help out, i do have a Ko-fi if you''d like to toss something my way!

> Ko-Fi <

Thank you for your time!

[vc55bughead]

as someone who's entire town is filled with....ehem T supporters 🙄🙄🙄- if I found out one of my gay friends was using one of them to get money and then dump their hypocritical repressed asses- ID CACKLE because that's just karma baby. so yeah, leave Chanse alone he's hustling 🤭🤭

if they want to make minorities lives harder, we'll just take what we can from them and watch them crumble. our boy is honestly sticking it 👀👀👀 to the man if anything, and I approve of the scam 👑💙

also- literally part of a scam is to not revealing you're scamming someone, especially publicly 🤷‍♀️

and this is just how I see it so don't come for me- I already have to deal with literally living in a red state, so excuse me for trying to preserve some sanity lmaooo 😭💖

[lookitthefuckup]

Hurricane Milton & Florida

I am seeing a lot of "if you're in the path of Hurricane Milton, EVAC NOW" messages on this hellsite, but the highways are about to get wild and evacuating can be expensive.

Instead of taking emergency advice from Tumbrinas, please look at this:

If you're in an evacuation zone and your county has called for that zone to evacuate, get the hell out now. Waiting will only make evacuating more hectic, dangerous, and expensive.

If you're sheltering in place, prepare for a historically unusual angle of wind. The last time a hurricane took this path over Florida was 1888 [source].

It's not too late to do some of this stuff:

Remember, though: NO GRILLING INDOORS.

Also, your online source for current, accurate maps and warnings is NOAA:

[3416]

when leafs fix their dcore it's over for this league flkjsdklfjdsklf

[spunkyspy]

If you are sexy, butch, and live in Canada, or hell even just a blue state at this point, and want a wife pls DM me

[thebreakfastgenie]

I can think of someone who'd be elected mayor of New York

[milo-is-rambling]

I think I’m always going to be running and trying to find the next thing that will make me happy and it will always be something I have to find within myself. So that’s cool.

[ohhhhmercy]

That should have been a Florida penalty, not Boston

[sheldricklawfirm]

Understanding Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Florida, New Jersey, and New York

What is Bad Faith Insurance?

Bad faith insurance practices involve an insurer's intentional refusal to honor its contractual obligations to the policyholder. This occurs when an insurance company fails to act in good faith and fair dealing, which it is legally required to do. Bad faith can be both first-party (directly against the policyholder) and third-party (against a party making a claim against the policyholder).

How Does Bad Faith Occur?

Bad faith can occur through various deliberate actions by the insurer, including:

Misrepresentation of Policy Terms: Insurers may intentionally misrepresent the terms of the policy to deny coverage.

Improper Investigation: Conducting a biased or incomplete investigation to justify denying a claim.

Unreasonable Denial or Delay: Denying or delaying payment without a reasonable basis.

Lowball Offers: Offering settlements far below the claim's actual value.

Florida Law

Under Florida Statutes §624.155, an insurer can be held liable for bad faith if it fails to settle claims when it could and should have done so, had it acted fairly and honestly toward its insured and with due regard for their interests.

New Jersey Law

In New Jersey, the "fairly debatable" standard applies, meaning the insurer must demonstrate a reasonable basis for denying a claim. The case of Pickett v. Lloyd’s, 131 N.J. 457 (1993), is a pivotal ruling that requires insurers to justify their actions reasonably.

New York Law

In New York, proving bad faith requires showing that the insurer engaged in egregious conduct or a pattern of unfair practices, as established in Pavia v. State Farm Mutual Auto. Ins. Co., 82 N.Y.2d 445 (1993). This case demonstrates the high burden of proof required to establish bad faith.

What to Do If You Suspect Bad Faith

If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, take the following steps:

Understand Your Policy: Review your insurance policy to understand your coverage and rights.

Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all communications with your insurer, including emails, letters, and phone calls.

File a Complaint: You can file a complaint with your state's insurance regulatory agency. In Florida, this is the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation; in New Jersey, it's the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance; and in New York, it's the New York State Department of Financial Services.

Seek Legal Advice: Consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in insurance bad faith claims. They can help you understand your rights and take appropriate legal action.

State-Specific Tips

Handling bad faith insurance claims varies significantly depending on the state.

Each jurisdiction has its own laws, procedures, and standards that affect how these cases are approached. Below, we provide specific tips for Florida, New Jersey, and New York to help you effectively address bad faith practices in your state. These tailored insights will help you take appropriate action and protect your rights based on your location.

Florida Tip

In Florida, policyholders have the right to file a Civil Remedy Notice (CRN) with the Department of Financial Services. This notice gives the insurer 60 days to resolve the issue before a lawsuit can be filed (Fla. Stat. §624.155).

New Jersey Tip

In New Jersey, keeping meticulous records of all interactions with the insurer is crucial for building a strong case under the "fairly debatable" standard. Refer to the case Pickett v. Lloyd’s, 131 N.J. 457 (1993), for guidance on how courts assess these claims.

New York Tip

In New York, due to the high burden of proof required to establish bad faith, it is essential to gather substantial evidence of the insurer's egregious conduct or pattern of unfair practices. Refer to Pavia v. State Farm Mutual Auto. Ins. Co., 82 N.Y.2d 445 (1993) for more details on the legal standards applied in these cases.

Continue reading our Bad Faith article by clicking here.

Have a question about a bad faith claim?

Call The Sheldrick Law Firm at (561) 440-7775 and ask to speak with attorney Kayla Sheldrick.

Proudly Serving Florida, New Jersey, & New York

[kimberlyannharts]

Still on vacation but enjoy these silly pics of Tommy and Kim visiting Didney Werl

[archivlibrarianist]

When your book banning attempts are so over-the-top, even dollar store fascists like Greg DeSantis are tired of them.

"Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Tuesday putting new restrictions on the number of challenges that residents without kids could lodge against books in public schools."

[baradragon]

okay so as much as i hate disney as a conglomeration from hell i have to admit that disney world slaps from the perspective of accessibility, like my sister is gluten free and the allergy options are so plentiful its a little insane, one time we asked a kiosk worker at epcot if something was gluten free and she stepped away to call the head chef of epcot to let us know the specifics of the dish etc, also not to mention ride accessibility cause when my sister was in a wheelchair there are specific rides with mobility-impaired boarding areas so that you dont slow down operations its literally incredible 

[hoverboards-and-dragons]

Spoken like a Promise

Florida’s finger hovered over send, rereading the simple Spanish sentence over and over again. 

He hated feeling like this, he was the chaos state, he threw himself at danger without a second thought, and barely a first thought. He shouldn’t care so much, or feel so messy, or be so scared. 

He stared at the years of text messages he’d sent his father, he had never replied. Florida only got his number from one of Loui’s pa visits. 

Loui’s pa visited him. 

He wasn't jealous, he couldn't be, not when France practically treated him like another son.  

He sent the message and threw his phone down, adding to an essay worth of unread words. Florida could barely write in English, too worried that it would replace Spanish, he couldn’t handle the disappointment if his father finally returned only to find Flordia didn't know their language. 

No matter how much easier reading would make his job or how long it's been since he’d last seen Spain, he didn't trust his dyslexia with the grammar rules of two languages. The memories of learning to read and write the first time grated against him, putting the final nail in the coffin of ever trying again. 

He hated feeling like this. 

He needed company, the quiet made him want to tear his skin off. He considered calling Loui but hesitated.

Loui was his perfect partner in every way, he made him think his ideas through without ever shutting him down but Loui wasn’t safety, he was caution. 

Loui made him think just realistically enough to make sure his plans went off without a hitch or a fatal injury, he brought him down to earth.

The last thing Florida wanted was to see this situation realistically, he wanted to be up in the clouds, untouchable, safe. 

When was the last time he had felt that safe, it had been in the Spanish empire, hadn't it? But that wouldn’t make sense, what about Spain was safe-?

.

.

.

Oh, he knew what it was. 

Florida curled up, pulling his legs against his chest, giving one last look to his phone before snapping away. 

“Oh, for the love of god! What the fuck do you want-?!” California paused his indignation at Florida, once again, teleporting directly into his house with no warning when he saw the other state. 

He was sitting on the floor, facing away from California, his head pressed between his knees. 

“Oh wow uh, you all aight dude?” He tilted his head to the side to try to get a look at his face. 

Florida peaked an eye out before turning his body just enough to make grabby hands. 

“Oh,” California just barely said before sliding off the coach to join Florida on the ground. He scarcely had a chance to open his arms before Florida barrelled into him, wrapping both his arms around California’s back, squeezing his face against his chest.

California rested his arms over Florida’s lower back, his brother could almost hear him mentality scrambling for the correct thing to say. In the meantime he enjoyed the feeling of his gentle breathing. 

He doesn't think the Spanish Empire was ever safety, he left every interaction queasy. 

But then he would turn to the room just down the hall with the door that was always open to him; where his brother would be waiting with open arms, a quip on his tongue about their father’s behavior that almost convinced Florida they were a normal functional family and a gentle hum on his soft voice that would lure him to sleep no matter how worked up he was. 

That was safety. This was safety. 

“This about Spain?” Cal asked quietly. Florida blearily opened eyes he didn't remember closing. “I can’t think of another reason you’d come to me over literally anyone else.” 

Florida nodded after a moment, feeling a hand start carding through his hair. “He still won’t say anything to me, even now, when texting would literally be so quick but nooooooooooo.” 

Cal sighed softly in that way he always does when Florida has expectations for their father. “He always could have sent a letter.” It comes out bitter. 

Flo huffs, “Yeah but that's like, sooo much work, I get it.” 

The bitterness only gets darker. “He had, centuries.” 

Florida doesn’t respond, he knows from experience that no matter how hard he pushes Cal would never outright state exactly what he thinks but he decides against risking it anyway. 

He nuzzles further against him. “Can you sing me something?” 

He snorts, “you want me to rub your back too, little prince?”

“Hey, I’m still older than you,” Florida groans. “And yes, please.” 

One of Cal’s arms keeps a tight grip on Flo while the other begins to trail across his back. He starts humming the tone of an old lubally he would  sing to him as colonies, occasionally slipping into lyrics where he remembered them.

The song evolved into something Florida didn’t recognise as the moment stretched on but it was soft and comfortable so he really couldn't care. 

It wouldn’t take long before the heat of the room became unbearable between the two of them. California’s smell of citrus and salt water reflected his own, with a mix of vanilla and wildfire smoke.  

“Am I a bad big brother?” Flo heard Cal’s voice hitch in his throat as his body stiffened under him. 

Florida felt himself drawn further up, his head tucked under Cal’s chin, their chests pressed firmly together. “No. Never. You’re the best I could have gotten.” 

“I’m, pretty sure this is supposed to be the other way around.” Flo’s grip tightened, his hands tangling in spools of hair spilling across Cal’s back. He wasn’t sure he had ever held his brother in the same way before. 

“You always took the brunt of it, this is the least I could do.” Florida was destructive, hyperactive and had a distaste for all and any authority figures - a textbook problem child.

The fact that California only set things on fire accidentally made him pretty well behaved by comparison. 

“Maybe you would have gotten some of dad’s attention if it wasn’t for me.”

“God please, the last thing I needed was more of Spain’s attention.” A shiver ran through Cal so deeply Florida half thought it was an earthquake. He spoke more quietly. “I’m not sure what I would have done without you, what he would have done if we were alone for all that time.” 

A question pushed itself to the front of Florida’s mouth. 

California refused to talk about what happened in the years after Florida left the empire for the union; All he knew was by the time Cal became a US territory he had stopped calling Spain his father, had a desperate need for independence and was somehow even more protective over Florida. 

He swallowed it back, he was sure if he could handle the answer right now if his brother actually told him this time

“He loved us.” He said instead, it came out far away and distant. “I remember, even if he doesn't anymore. I bet he could again.” 

California didn't respond.

“He chose to take us in.” Florida continued. “That has to mean something.”

“Colonies were a useful form of power consolidation. Participating was necessary to keep pace with the other European empires.” He had taken on that annoying condescending monotone voice that made Florida blood boil. 

“He didn't have to adopt us, he didn't have to raise us. Britain never treated his colonies like children, at least not the OG 13.” Cal just dismissively sighed. A growl bubbles in Flo's throat before he keeps rambling. “We could have been anything else to him-”

Cal went still, so still that Flo pulled back to check his face after making sure his heart was beating.  

He saw foggy eyes that threatened tears, “yeah… yeah, you’re right, we could have- he could have- Anything.” California was barely talking to Florida anymore. 

“Cali?” Flo had gotten lost again - he was doing so good this time. Why was Cal’s voice so breathy, why was he so scared, like ‘anything’ meant something else, something more. “You know something I don’t again.” 

He looked back at him, blinking his eyes clear. “Right, sorry dude.” He takes a deep breath. He gave a weak smile after a moment before going in for one last tight squeeze. “We’re okay now, that’s what matters. It's only going to keep getting better.” 

He speaks it like a promise.

 Flo beamed, that manages to get a proper smile out of Cal. Satisfied, he leans back and lets his brother get up. 

Florida takes the hand Cal extends to him.

--------

the most siblings ever

if y'all wanna speculate on what happened between Spain and Cal i'm all ears, i wanna see your fear of your own imagination

first fic in years be soft with me

[zmyaro]

Is there a term for when you get a politically motivated group to expend their energy on an action that has basically no impact by convincing them they are winning if they do it? Like right-wing folks running their gas stoves or this new trend of trans people and allies spamming Hogwarts Legacy spoilers?