Fort Lauderdale city commissioners face a pivotal decision regarding a proposed settlement after a woman, struck in the eye by a rubber bullet during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest, filed a lawsuit.
In May 2020, amid protests following George Floyd’s death, LaToya Ratlieff suffered an eye injury from a rubber bullet fired by police officers while protesting in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The incident, captured on cellphone footage, showed Ratlieff with a bloodied face being supported by fellow protesters.
Now, city commissioners are poised to vote on a settlement proposal that would compensate Ratlieff nearly $2 million. The Fort Lauderdale Mayor, Dean Trantalis, remarked earlier that the settlement amount, although significant, resulted from negotiations with the plaintiff. “They wanted more, and hopefully, the commission will make a decision today, and we’ll move forward with this,” Trantalis stated.
The incident drew significant attention as investigations revealed that chaos erupted when a tear gas canister was hurled towards police officers during the protest. In the ensuing confusion, Ratlieff was accidentally hit by the rubber bullet. Reflecting on the incident, Ratlieff shared, “I still have some vision issues, specifically, some of my upper vision. I still have trouble with driving at night.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Ratlieff initially sought changes within the police department. The city responded by removing the police chief, revising engagement rules, and initiating sensitivity training for officers. However, Ratlieff proceeded to file a lawsuit seeking additional remedies.
Dean Trantalis acknowledged the complexities of running a city and the challenges posed by such incidents. “We don’t appreciate having to suffer this burden, but we support our police department, and we’re hopeful we can do better in the future,” he commented. The commission’s decision on whether to approve the settlement remains keenly awaited, with implications for how such incidents are addressed in the future.
As Fort Lauderdale officials deliberate on the settlement, the outcome may signal future approaches to handling similar incidents, balancing accountability and support for law enforcement.
Source: WSVN
