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Council welcomes two new police officers, proclaims Fire Prevention Week and Florida Native Plant Month, and honors longtime volunteer

5823287 · September 23, 2025
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The council swore in two new Venice Police Department officers, issued proclamations for Fire Prevention Week and Florida Native Plant Month, and presented a Venice Legacy Award to longtime volunteer Earl Midlam.

The Venice City Council held several ceremonial items at Tuesday’s meeting, swearing in two new Venice Police Department officers, issuing public‑safety and conservation proclamations, and presenting a Venice Legacy Award.

Chief Giddens (identified at the meeting as the police chief) introduced newly hired Officers Jessica Fernandez and Lawrence “LJ” Hickman and led the presentation prior to their oaths. The council and attendees then administered the statutory oath of office and family members pinned badges.

According to remarks in the meeting record, Jessica Fernandez served four years with New Britain Police Department in Connecticut and served about eight years in the Army National Guard (unit cited as…

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