Sheriff deputies that patrol the streets of downtown Tampa by bicycle ride in what seems to be packs of eight or more to guard the areas surrounding the RNC. Yet despite their intentions, they are faced with criticism and feel a lack of respect from the citizens and protesters they are trying to protect.The bike officers were not daunted by the downpour from Hurricane Isaac or the 25 to 30 protesters who showed up to protest on Monday despite the RNC activities being canceled for the day.
“We got soaked,” said a group of bike deputies stationed outside the protesting zone near the Tampa Bay Times Forum. “It’s just water. We dry. We work through the streets normally so it’s not much different.”
The protesters were nonviolent and only two people have been arrested after the second day, one for refusing to take off a mask, as they are prohibited in the protesting zones. The group of deputies agreed that the protester/deputy relationship has been relatively copacetic.
“Yeah, for the most part its been peaceful and we’re here to make sure it stays that way,” a deputy said.
They also do not credit the bad weather to the more peaceful nature of the protesters.
“I think everybody did their job and worked cohesively and we were able to divert the threat,” they said. “I think they were surprised at how well prepared we were.”
The deputies also want the public to know that they are not stationed with the sole purpose of deflecting protests; they are stationed to keep all everyone taking advantage of the RNC safe.
“Despite what some of [the protesters] are saying about us . . . we helped some people yesterday,” Said deputy Gonzalez of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. “We changed a tire, we helped with directions, so we’re out here. There’s a lot of different facets of our job, we’re out here helping as well.”