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Pembroke Park police report; town attorney warns court ruling may allow long guns at public meetings
Summary
Police presented monthly activity numbers and mutual aid plans; town attorney and police described legal uncertainty after an appellate ruling affecting open‑carry prohibitions and warned local officials about state preemption and penalties for local firearm regulations.
Pembroke Park police officials gave a routine report on calls and enforcement activity while town legal staff and police leadership briefed commissioners on a recent appellate decision that municipal officials say may create an unintended loophole for carrying long guns into public meetings.
Dan DeCourcy, chief of police, reported call statistics for the town, including 1,511 calls for service and 17 arrests during the reporting period. He described ongoing recruitment and community safety programs, a new photo‑enforcement roll‑out and partnerships for active‑shooter training and a potential DEA task‑force placement for a Pembroke Park officer.
Separately, the town attorney briefed the commission on legal developments after an appellate decision in the McDaniels case that the attorney said overturns Florida’s open‑carry ban in a way that may not explicitly cover long guns. “Under a technical reading of this new court decision...arguably you can carry a long gun, a rifle or a shotgun into any one of those places,” the attorney said, noting that language in the statute historically used to bar firearms at public meetings references handguns and concealed weapons but may not name long guns.
The attorney emphasized the state preemption at issue: “The preemption of firearms and ammunition is entirely within the jurisdiction of the legislature,” and warned that local officials who try to impose or enforce conflicting local firearms regulations could face severe penalties under the state statute, including potential removal from office and financial penalties. Staff said municipalities, police chiefs and statewide associations are seeking guidance from the attorney general and the legislature and that the town will continue to monitor developments.
Why it matters: The briefing reflects an immediate operational concern for municipal meetings and public safety planning; town leaders said they are coordinating with Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Police Chiefs Association and state legal counsel to determine how to proceed.
Next steps: Police and legal staff will continue to monitor guidance from state agencies and return to the commission with recommended procedures as clarifications or statutory changes become available.
