Title
COMMISSIONER JAY SCHWARTZ - ITEM NO. 1: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO REPEAL ENACTMENT NUMBER 3322 NAMING FIELD #7 AT FLAMINGO PARK SHERIFF NICK NAVARRO FIELD IN SUPPORT OF BROWARD STATE ATTORNEY HAROLD PRYOR AND THOSE WHO WERE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA DUE TO ACTIONS TAKEN INSIDE BSO WHILE NICK NAVARRO WAS SHERIFF.
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. In a shocking revelation, the Broward County Sheriff's Office (BSO) has come under scrutiny for its involvement in manufacturing and distributing crack cocaine between 1988 and 1990. The operation targeted buyers rather than sellers and occurred near school zones, leading to numerous arrests and convictions. Now, decades later, Broward County State Attorney Harold F. Pryor is taking steps to rectify the injustices caused by these controversial sting operations.
2. The impact of these convictions has been significant for many individuals. A drug possession conviction on one's record can create significant barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities. While this effort to rectify past wrongs may be years overdue, it represents a crucial step towards acknowledging and addressing the harm caused by the controversial sting operation.
3. The operation has come under intense scrutiny for its questionable tactics, particularly its focus on entrapping users while avoiding the pursuit of actual drug traffickers. In some cases, law enforcement allegedly introduced individuals to crack cocaine for the first time, specifically conducting these operations near schools to enhance potential penalties.
4. The scandal began in 1988 when the BSO, under the leadership of Sheriff Nick Navarro, decided to use seized powder cocaine to manufacture crack cocaine. This illegal activity was carried out within the Broward County Courthouse, where the sheriff's chemist converted the powder into crack and distributed it to undercover deputies. These deputi...
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