The police union said Mayor Rick Kriseman delivered on his campaign promises by getting St. Petersburg officers the resources they need and reinstating community policing and other programs.

ST. PETERSBURG – The Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association and their members today (March 13) announced their endorsement of Mayor Rick Kriseman’s reelection.

“We are proud to support Mayor Kriseman, who has been a champion for the St. Petersburg police department” said George Lofton, president of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association. “Mayor Kriseman has shown steady leadership and he’ll continue to fight for the resources the St. Petersburg Police Department needs to keep our officers and communities safe. Everything from the performance of Police Chief [Anthony] Holloway to the construction of a modern police station have made this an easy decision for the Sun Coast PBA.”

Over the past three years, Kriseman has delivered on his promise to get St. Petersburg’s men and women in uniform the resources they need to do their jobs, while also re-instating programs like community policing to make all neighborhoods safer, Lofton said. In 2014, Kriseman chose Holloway to run the department.The city is building a police station that will meet the modern needs of officers and neighborhoods. Under Kriseman, crime decreased by 6 percent and violent crime decreased by 26 percent.

“I’m honored to accept the endorsement of our men and women in uniform,” Kriseman said. “I thank them for their work with our neighborhood leaders to create safer streets and stronger communities. Together we will continue the progress our city has made and I’m grateful to have them on our team.”

The group advocates for officers to ensure fairness and compensation for the dangerous work law enforcement undertakes on our behalf. The union says its legislative and public policy goals mirror Kriseman’s actions to create safer neighborhoods and build on the progress of the past three years.

For information about the PBA, go to suncoastpba.com.

Rick Kriseman | Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association | PBA | Politics | Elections | TB Reporter

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