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

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 the 640), attaining the rank of sergeant and receiving the Army Commendation Medal. She was also noted as a parent and local resident.

Lawrence Hickman brings extensive experience described during the ceremony: roughly 40 years in law enforcement and security, including 13 years with the Boston Police Department, 12 years in special operations as a senior SWAT operator, service as a school guardian with the Manatee County School District, prior service with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and 20 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves where he rose to chief petty officer with significant intelligence and command experience. The presentation record states Hickman holds a master’s degree in criminal justice and police science.

The council also issued a proclamation designating October 2025 as Fire Prevention Week in Venice, adopting the National Fire Protection Association theme “Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium‑Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The proclamation and staff remarks urged residents to buy certified chargers, avoid charging devices on soft surfaces such as beds or couches, and recycle lithium‑ion batteries at proper collection points rather than disposing of them in regular trash.

Vice Mayor Jim Boldt read a proclamation recognizing October as Florida Native Plant Month and invited Ava Lassiter, president of the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, to speak. Lassiter described the chapter’s outreach, field trips, and a local grant program to supply native plants for public spaces, and urged the city to prioritize native‑plant landscaping in public projects.

The Historic and Architectural Preservation Board presented the Venice Legacy Award to Earl Midlam for decades of local volunteer leadership, historic preservation advocacy and stewardship of the 1926 American LaFrance fire truck known as “Old Betsy.” Midlam accepted the award and urged residents to get involved in community groups and boards.

During the audience participation segment, a resident, Jenny Heisner, thanked the council for advancing the Heckscher Park pickleball courts and presented pickleball equipment as a token of appreciation.