The tropical weather has definitely heated up this week and we remind you while living in Florida offers many benefits, it is important to keep in mind severe weather hazards and potential threats come with the territory. Every family and business should have predefined emergency plans and always keep an emergency supply kit ready and stocked.
Each Florida county has a designated emergency management program, and residents, businesses, and visitors should also visit their county's emergency management for the most up-to-date and locally significant information.

Follow These Prep Steps

 
1. Get Informed
Know about the specific hazards that threaten your community (hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, etc.). It is also important to be familiar with you local emergency management office, as well as available local resources.
2. Know Your Zone, Know Your Home
Before a storm impacts your community, it is important to know your evacuation zone and your home's strength. Know if your home lies in an evacuation zone by visiting the Know Your Zone Map. Also know your home's ability to withstand severe weather such as strong wind and heavy rain. This information will impact your decision to evacuate or shelter in place if local officials issue evacuation orders for your area.
3. Build a Disaster Supply Kit
Your disaster supply kit should have supplies specific to your needs. Consider your personal needs and build an individualized disaster supply kit with items to last you at least 7 days. Find a complete disaster supply kit checklist HERE.
4. Keep a Copy
Make copies of IDs and important documents and store in a safe place or in your Disaster Supply Kit.
5. Sign Up for Local Resources
EMERGENCY WEATHER ALERTS
Be sure to sign up for emergency weather alerts: SIGN UP HERE. Emergency alerts save lives! Having multiple ways to receive updated information during an emergency will help keep you and your loved ones safe.
SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY
Register with the Special Needs Registry if you:
• Need electricity to operate medical equipment
• Need transportation to evacuate dur to a medical condition
• Need assistance in accessing medication during a disaster

STUART POLICE DEPARTMENT

 
On September 10th, the Florida First District Court of Appeal, in McDaniels v. State, ruled that Florida’s ban on the open carry of firearms (§790.053, Florida Statutes) is unconstitutional.
The court determined that prohibiting open carry is incompatible with the Second Amendment and the historical tradition of firearm regulation in our country.
Given the court’s ruling, Chief Zenelovic has directed Stuart Police Officers to suspend enforcement of the open carry prohibition under this statute.
Important Reminders:
Private property owners still have the right to prohibit open carry or the possession of firearms on their premises and may trespass individuals who violate that rule.
Government property that is open to the public and unrestricted may not prohibit open carry; however, there are specific locations where open carry remains prohibited by law (§790.06(12)(a), Florida Statutes):
• Any place of nuisance as defined by FSS 823.05
• Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station
• Any detention facility, prison, or jail
• Any courthouse
• Any polling place
• Any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district
• Any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof
• Any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms
• Any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building
• Any career center
• Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose
• Any college or university facility
• The inside of the passenger terminal and sterile area of an airport
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.
These statutory prohibitions remain in effect and must be respected. As always, we ask our community to exercise sound judgment, respect, and responsibility when carrying a firearm.