FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward County commissioners convened during a Tuesday morning meeting for the first time since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.
Commissioners took a moment to remember the victims of the Feb. 14 massacre in Parkland. Then they covered several topics, including looking for ways to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.
“Our area will not be allowed itself to be defined by this tragedy, but we will be defined by our response to this tragedy,” said Commissioner Michael Udine, who represents Parkland and whose daughter attends Stoneman Douglas High.
Commissioners also discussed the demolition of the freshman building at Stoneman Douglas, where the shooting took place. Building 12 currently has a fence surrounding it, but county leaders are asking for it to be taken down.
The commission asked for funding from Florida legislature for the demolition, along with paying for the construction of a new building and a memorial.
Another resolution asked lawmakers to take immediate action on “common sense gun control” policy, including a ban on semi-automatic rifles, along with a limit on ammunition sales. The resolution passed unanimously.
The county commission also instructed the county attorney to look into what action, if any, can be taken related to guns, gun stores and gun shows.
“We’ve had our hands tied, and we’re trying to untie them,” said Udine. “I don’t think the public even realizes that there’s not a lot that we can do on the local level, and it’s really unfair.”
“Almost everyone was holding a red flag, OK?” said Commissioner Nan H. Rich. “The problem was that people didn’t see each other’s red flags, and that’s what we need to get to here.”
“I don’t want to hear rumors, conjecture,” said Udine. “I want facts, and I want an evidence-based report.”
The commission voted in favor of an independent investigation and a task force to review the findings of all of the agencies involved.
“I really think that we need a high-level, independent person to come in here and just take a comprehensive look at everything,” said Udine. “It’s that simple to me that there’s three things: pre-incident, incident response and what we can do better in the future. Everything else is just noise and fluff.”
The board of commissioners also took time to honor Coconut Creek officer Michael Leonard, who first spotted accused shooter Nikolas Cruz and helped make the arrest.
“His instincts paid off because he got into some neighborhoods and happened upon him,” said Coconut Creek Police Chief Butch Arenal. “Once he did, he handled it so professional and could very well have hurt this defendant. Mike’s number one concern, being the kind of person he is, was, ‘Could I have the wrong person? I don’t want to hurt the wrong person.'”
Commissioners deemed Feb. 27 as Officer Michael Leonard Appreciation Day and Coconut Creek Police Department Appreciation Day.
“It’s so hard to say that when all my brothers and sisters are heroes,” said Leonard. “Law enforcement, fire services, first responders – they’re all heroes. I was just doing my job that day.”
Leonard has been serving the community for the last 17 years.
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