South Dade, FL - José Javier Rodríguez, candidate for Florida Attorney General, and State Representative Kevin Chambliss are calling for Florida to provide more state funding to help local law enforcement protect and relocate witnesses in gun violence and other serious criminal cases.
Rodríguez and Chambliss will participate Saturday afternoon in the Mothers Fighting for Justice 12th Annual Walk for Justice in Goulds, where they will join families and community members affected by gun violence.
“Families who have lost a loved one to gun violence deserve answers, justice, and support,” said Rodríguez. “Too many families struggle to access counseling, funeral assistance, victim advocates, and other services, while witnesses may fear that coming forward could put themselves or their loved ones in danger. As Attorney General, I will work with prosecutors, law enforcement, victims’ advocates, and the Legislature to strengthen witness protection and make sure help is available no matter where someone lives or where they come from.”
Florida previously reimbursed local law enforcement agencies for certain witness protection and relocation expenses. According to a Florida Senate analysis, the last reimbursements were issued in 2023 for three requests totaling just $13,600. The state later eliminated the review committee and reimbursement process.
“Families should not have to spend years searching for help or trying to navigate a complicated system on their own,” said Rep. Chambliss. “Florida should do more to make victim services easier to access and ensure witnesses can come forward safely so violent crimes can be solved.”
“Families need justice and a stronger witness protection program could help provide that," said Dorothy Williams, whose 2-year-old son Carnell Williams was shot and killed in Goulds, and who plans to participate in Saturday's march. "Many times the whole neighborhood knows who murdered their child, but no one will speak because they are afraid of being murdered themselves. Enhancing the witness protection program will go a long way in closing out murder cases so that families like mine can finally have peace and justice when it comes to our lost loved ones."
Rodríguez and Chambliss are also calling for greater transparency and data collection to better understand which communities are receiving victim services and where families are still being left behind.
