By Bill Carey
Police1
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood challenged antisemitic agitators after hate messages recently appeared in Volusia County neighborhoods and at the Daytona International Speedway.
“I stand with my Jewish friends and I’m honored to be on your hit list,” Sheriff Chitwood said to those behind the recent acts during a meeting with faith leaders, politicians and law enforcement officers, FOX 35 Orlando reported.
Last week, hate groups displayed an antisemitic message on the grandstand of the Daytona International Speedway and passed out flyers in Volusia County neighborhoods.
During the meeting, Sheriff Chitwood showed a video of the group responsible for the messages, GDL, the Goyim Defense League. “These scumbags came to the wrong county,” Chitwood said. He went on to publicly stand up against their hate messages and death threats.
“You want to put surveillance on me 24 hours? Go for it. The best of all you’re going to dox me and make me unelectable. Go for it. You came to the wrong county,” Sheriff Chitwood said.
Lawmakers stated they are working on legislation that would make these acts a third-degree felony if motivated by hate. “If you graffiti a building, it is a crime now, but if your motivation is hate, it will be a third-degree felony. You’ll spend five years in prison,” said Florida State Representative Randy Fine. “If you want to litter, it is a crime right now, but if your motivation is a hate crime, it will be a third-degree felony. You will spend five years in jail.”