Sometimes crime does pay. At least that is what happened yesterday as Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker came to Pride Center’s popular ‘Coffee & Conversation’ Tuesday series to show how crime can actually pay. Chief Blocker spoke about the long-term relationship he has had with the LGBTQ community and how the Wilton Manors Police Department had worked so hard to understand the unique needs of one of the largest queer populations in the nation.
He explained that criminal activity has a price to pay in Wilton Manors and it generates funds that are held in account to benefit the community. Blocker then presented Pride Center at Equality Park’s Executive Director Robert Boo with an $8000 check in front of more than 200 Pride Center guests. The grant money goes for projects that Pride Center operates for our community.
Robert Boo told Queer News Tonight Executive Producer Al Ferguson “I am very grateful for the ongoing collaboration with WMPD. We have a long history of working together for the safety of The Center and our community. The amount of the grant was a very pleasant surprise and we will put it to good use. WMPD has a long history of working behind the scenes with the LGBTQ community that not everyone always sees. They really do everything possible to protect us. I am grateful for their support.”
