By Suzie Ziegler
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff Grady Judd had a unique response this week when questioned about Polk County’s rising homicide rate: he wants murderers to chill out.
“Just chill out, drink a 7UP, eat a MoonPie, quit murdering people,” Judd said Tuesday in an interview with WFLA.
According to the report, murder rates are surging in Polk County in the second half of 2021. So far this year, 27 people have been murdered – with 23 of them happening since June. A total of 34 homicides were reported in all of 2020.
“What’s that all about? Just calm down. Quit murdering your friends and your family. I know that’s a novel idea for some people,” Judd said. “Our murder rate is up while our total crime rate is down but even in the demand for service, we see the angst.”
Neighboring cities have also reported a drop in overall crime but a spike in homicide, according to WFLA.