Latest news with #D.C.Reeves
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall resigns
Eric Randall stepped down as chief of the Pensacola Police Department effective immediately, the city of Pensacola announced July 10. Mayor D.C. Reeves named Capt. Kristin Brown as acting chief of police. Capt. Erik Goss is currently serving as acting deputy chief while Deputy Chief Kevin Christman is on medical leave. Brown is a 29-year veteran of the department and the longest-tenured captain on the force. The News Journal reached out to Randall who said he did not have a comment on his resignation at this time. Homegrown: Eric Randall served hometown of Pensacola A Pensacola native, Randall returned to Pensacola and was sworn in as Pensacola's police chief in 2021 following the city council's unanimous confirmation. After graduating from Washington High School in 1991, Randall joined the U.S. Navy. Following his military service, he joined the Newport News Police Department in 1998 and worked his way up the ranks in that department. Former Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson selected Randall as the city's next chief. Randall accepted and left the Newport News police to return to his childhood home. Randall took the helm at a crucial time for local law enforcement agencies as the deadly force by officers was put under a microscope in the aftermath of law enforcement officer killings of civilians such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. During his swearing in ceremony, Randall spoke on the importance of building trust between Pensacola citizens and the police department at the ceremony Monday. "It is important that we trust each other, and we continue the great work being done building trust in our community. It is imperative that our community trust us, our integrity must never be brought into question," he said. Randall was one of eight finalists during nationwide chief search The search for a new Pensacola Police Department chief began at the end of 2020 after then-Chief Tommi Lyter stepped down to take a job as chief deputy under Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. Pensacola hired Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. to conduct a nationwide search for Lyter's replacement. The search resulted in the selection of eight final candidates, who then were ranked by a city selection committee. The top three candidates chosen by the committee participated in a public candidate forum as well as interviews with city officials. Eric Randall prioritized curbing gun violence and violent crime in Pensacola Just weeks into his tenure as chief in 2021, Randall told the News Journal the level of gun violence in the city was "unacceptable," making it his No. 1 priority as leader of the department. By 2023, the city had seen roughly a 4% decrease overall in crime, and as much as a 10% decrease in violent crime. "We saw a reduction in 2021 when I was here for a half year and then a full year in 2022," Randall said. Randall also oversaw the department's partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office implementing ShotSpotter, an automated gunshot detection system, throughout the city and county. Eric Randall believed community outreach was key to policing efforts Randall's efforts to better the department's community footprint included the addition of dedicated officers downtown to maintain foot patrols. Two years after Randall's swearing in, the city council approved the request to add two more dedicated police officers downtown. "This is designed in principle and purpose to be able to have high visibility in the CRA district, so the officers can be engaging, creating the relationships, empowering the community and problem-solving," Randall said. The department also hired two mental health experts to help residents in crisis alongside officers. Eric Randall awarded 2025 Trailblazer Award During the ninth annual Trailblazer awards in February, Randall was given its top award − the 2025 Trailblazer award − for his contributions to Pensacola and public safety. The awards are presented by the Epps Christian Center in partnership with the Kukua Institute. "What we do in law enforcement is a calling,'' Randall said. "I don't do it for recognition. I do it because I deeply care about this community." Interim chief to be introduced Tuesday Acting Chief of Police Kristin Brown is expected to be formally introduced to the community on Tuesday during Mayor Reeves' weekly press conference. This is a developing story. Check back later for more details. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall resigns Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pensacola donates $100K to help homeless youths
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — The City of Pensacola has donated $100,000 to support the Children's Home Society of Florida's Hand Up for Youth Program. The program addresses the rising number of homeless youths and provides resources to help them become independent. In Escambia County, the Florida Department of Education reported 1,913 homeless youths during the last school year, an 11% increase since last year. 'This funding allows CHS to expand its services and create long-term solutions for young local people experiencing homelessness,' said Leah Harrison, the society's executive director. The Hand Up for Youth Program focuses on two key areas: supportive permanent housing for 18- to 23-year-olds and host homes for 16- to 17-year-olds. This first program provides financial assistance for up to six months of rent, up to 18 months of case management, and a transition plan to help achieve independence. The second program recruits and supports host families to provide safe, short-term housing. 'Solving homelessness isn't a one-size-fits-all problem, and there are many facets to consider,' Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said. 'Our partnership with the Children's Home Society of Florida reflects the city's commitment to exploring diverse solutions, including addressing the needs of our area's 'invisible youth.' 'To improve our residents' quality of life and reduce homelessness, we need local community leaders, businesses, and charities to unite for a real chance at making lasting change.' For more information about the Hand Up for Youth Program, contact Kelli Foster, director of Homeless Youth Programming, at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pensacola International Airport goes ‘Intergalactic' to kick off Pensacon Season
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — The Pensacola International Airport has officially gone Intergalactic. Escambia County deputies investigating murder-suicide Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the temporary name change for the Pensacola International Airport ahead of Pensacon. 'I D.C. Reeves Mayor of the city of Pensacola do hereby declare by mayoral decree that Pensacola International Airport be known by all as Pensacola Intergalactic Airport,' Mayor D.C. Reeves announced Tuesday. Officials said the airport going intergalactic is a tradition that has been going on for a while. 'We always love what the airport does it's been a tradition since Pensacon started and really we hear from the guests and the venders and even people coming from out of town to attend that say 'we feel like we're at Pensacon as soon as we get off the plane it's amazing',' Mike Ensley, CEO and Founder of Pensacon said. Baldwin County homicide suspect arrested — what we know Cosplayers from all over are set to flock to the Pensacola Bay Center for the pop culture convention, and officials say their arrival makes a big impact on the local economy. 'Certainly when you see, when you inject thousands of people at the Bay Center walking around wanting to enjoy themselves on vacation that's always a great thing for us,' Reeves said. Since its start in 2014, Mayor D.C. Reeves says Pensacon has brought in more than $28 million dollars in cumulative economic impact on Pensacola. Ensley says more than 30% of the attendees come in from out of town, with the event growing bigger and bigger each year. 'It starts with not only heads in beds, you know people coming in and traveling in and staying in hotels, but frequenting our local restaurants,' Reeves said. UPDATE: Man called in bomb threat at Baldwin County courthouse to help roommate, officials say Pensacon is set to take place from Friday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Pensacola Bay Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
