TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — After a request from Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil, the County Commission implemented another curfew-mandate in Leon County after a protest turned violent over the weekend.
Sheriff McNeil says it's about public safety and maintaining order.
The curfew goes into effect beginning Wednesday night, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. It will last for a week.
"With the chaos going on in our world right now I don't think a curfew's a bad thing," said Vicky Verano, a Leon County resident.
The unexpected news received mixed reactions.
"I feel like it's unnecessary," said John Crenshaw, a resident of Leon County.
The mandate comes days after a protest in Tallahassee ended in confrontation.
Surveillance video from a capitol security camera shows a man being tackled to the ground.
At one point there are multiple people on top of him and the man eventually gets back on his feet with a gun in his hand.
When confronted by an officer he puts his gun down and gets on the ground.
"The curfew allows there to be a time frame," said Sheriff McNeil. "It gives order and that's what we're all about. It's not a situation where we're going to allow people to be completely disorderly."
McNeil says he supports the right for people to protest, adding this is just an effort to keep the public safe.
John Crenshaw says it may not work, especially since it happened in broad daylight.
"The protests and stuff are happening during the day and I don't feel it's going to change much," Crenshaw said.
The curfew requires everyone to be at home with a few exceptions for work, emergency medical attention, or walking pets.
And although some may not understand it people say a week under curfew is something they can bear.
No one has been charged in the weekend incident but state attorney Jack Campbell has said his office is investigating.
If you want to know what this order means for you click here.
