Boca Raton Police Also Hiding Names Of Officers Involved In Recent Shooting.
But… PBSO Releases Name Of Deputy Involved In West Boca Shooting In Just Hours…
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2022 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — It has been two days since the murder-suicide in the Strumlauf residence at 5500 NW Third Terrace in Boca Raton. Inexplicably, the Boca Raton Police Department continues to shield the identity of the killer — saying the identity would reveal the identities of the victims. Boca Raton Police officials claim releasing that information would violate Florida’s “Marsy’s Law” — a bizarre position. Marsy’s Law is designed to protect victims from being re-victimized. If the attacker is dead, there is no risk of that killer killing again.
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer did not respond to a request for clarification Tuesday morning regarding the City’s implementation of Marsy’s Law. City Attorney Diana Frieser also refused to respond to multiple requests for comment from BocaNewsNow.com. Sources within the police department, the fire department, and other City of Boca Raton agencies say Frieser’s interpretation of “Marsy’s Law” is not only wrong, but likely grounds for legal action should a media or civic group be so inclined. Police Chief Michele Muiccio is also being blamed by rank and file for remaining silent as the police department blocks information from public access.
“There is no rhyme or reason for what we’re telling the public anymore,” said a frustrated city employee. “We’re looking like a backwoods town. It looks like we’re hiding something. We’re not. It’s weird what’s going on.”
“The intention may be noble,” said an attorney who asked not to be identified due to his ties to the City of Boca Raton, “but Marsy’s Law wasn’t designed to block public information or shield police from accountability. That’s how the City of Boca Raton is using it. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is implementing it perfectly. Boca PD should learn from PBSO.”
The refusal to release the name of the alleged killer follows the Boca Raton Police decision to not release the names of two officers involved in shooting Jordan Thompson, a man suffering a psychological issue at the Barnes and Noble near Florida Atlantic University. He allegedly — from several yards away — waved a knife at officers who shot him. The officers now claim they are the victims and protected by Marsy’s Law. Thompson, who survived, was initially charged with two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, but the charge was reduced to aggravated assault — raising questions about how legitimate the threat was to the officer or officers who opened fire. His case continues. The officers have never been identified.
PBSO RELEASES INFORMATION
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, which patrols West Boca Raton and all of unincorporated Palm Beach County, is taking a different approach to Marsy’s Law. When a deputy opened fire, saving a sexual assault victim just days ago in West Boca Raton, PBSO released the name of the hero deputy in a matter of hours. No one claimed that Sgt. William Nogueras — a 15 year veteran — was a victim. He did his job heroically. PBSO also released the name and photo of the man he shot. Tzvi Allswang remains in custody.
The only other area police department routinely blocking otherwise public information — claiming “Marsy’s Law” — is Boynton Beach Police. However, Boynton PD’s longtime spokesperson just left the department which many believe will be taken over by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office by the end of the calendar year. One of the issues leading to the possible takeover: a lack of transparency which led to public distrust.
