After The Floridian's numerous requests for the Police body camera footage to be released from the hotel overdose incident in which former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was involved in, the Miami Beach Police Department has finally released all of the records from the incident.
As you all remember, Gillum was found "under the influence" in a hotel room on Miami Beach with two other men, one of whom appeared to have overdosed a controlled substance. Gillum's attorney later sent a cease and desist letter that confirmed Gillum was in the hotel room.
The body camera footage was released, but the audio recording and video footage have been blurred or completely redacted because the City of Miami Beach felt they those in the video were in a place where they expected was private.
In other words, police redacted all of the audio recordings they didn’t want anyone to here or any video the didn’t want to be shown.
According to Miami Beach Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez, in adherence to Florida statutes, the City of Miami Beach made some redactions and ommissions to the audio and video connected to case number 2020-21902. One video recording was completely deleted.
- 911 Audio: Redactions made pursuant to Florida Statute 365.171(12), any record, recording or information, or portions thereof, obtained by a public agency or a public safety agency for the purpose of providing services in an emergency and which reveals the name, address, telephone number, or personal information about, or information which may identify any person requesting emergency service or reporting an emergency by accessing an emergency communications E911 system is confidential and exempt from the provisions of Fla. Stat.119.071(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Accordingly, the City of Miami Beach has redacted certain portions of the 911 call pursuant to Fla. Stat. 365.171(12).
- Body-worn Camera: Redactions made pursuant to Florida Statute 119.071(2)(l), a body camera recording, or a portion thereof, is confidential and exempt from the provisions of Fla. Stat. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, if such recording is taken in a place that a reasonable person would expect to be private. Accordingly, the City of Miami Beach has redacted certain portions of those body camera recordings provided (and has also completely redacted another body camera recording) which were taken entirely within the interior of a hotel room.
One of the body cam videos was turned on in the elevator, but upon entering the room, the footage was blurred and audio redacted.
Interesting how in past cases, body camera footage and audio of incidents have been released by police.
Take for instance this police cam video of two mothers overdosing. Expect a legal challenge for the unredacted audio and video.
