James Fishbach, a Republican candidate for governor in Florida, is vying to take over from Ron DeSantis and has put forward a bold plan to combat “teen takeovers.” This comes on the heels of the arrests of 22 young men during recent riots in Tampa.
In addressing the violence, Fishbach made a notable statement, acknowledging that youth violence among Black individuals is an issue in Florida. He pointed out that the majority of those involved in the recent riots were young and Black.
Fishbach further elaborated on the underlying issues, citing statistics that highlight social challenges. He remarked, “Seventy-two percent of Black children born today will be born to unwed mothers,” which he believes plays a role in the issues at hand.
He then outlined three immediate policies he plans to enact if elected:
- Charging participants in youth riots under Florida Statute 8701, making it a third-degree felony for rioting, and treating teens charged with aggravated rioting as adults.
- Launching a social media disruption unit through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to monitor potential incitements and threats of violence proactively.
- Creating a commission with law enforcement, business leaders, and church representatives to investigate the causes of Black youth crime, with a report due within 90 days of his term start.
Commenting on the matter, Blaze TV Host Jason Whitlock expressed his enthusiasm, highlighting Fishbach’s effort to confront the complexities of a fatherless culture, which he believes must be directly addressed.
Fishbach emphasized the need for accountability; he remarked, “If you take action and there are no consequences, that action will be repeated.” It’s an ongoing challenge that he feels needs serious consideration.
