The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says it will have an officer on site at a local abortion clinic to keep the peace after a leaked Supreme Court draft suggests the court will overturn a federal right to abortion.
A Woman's Choice of Jacksonville is one of over 50 clinics in the state that provide abortions. Florida has served as both a battleground and a haven for the issue of abortion, attracting patients from across the Southeast seeking the procedure.
Since 2016, the number of police calls alleging harassment and violence from protesters at Florida abortion clinics has nearly doubled. Kelly Flynn, owner of A Woman's Choice, says she fears the already-heated clashes will get worse.
In an interview with NPR show 1A, Flynn said she was disheartened by what she saw as local officials dismissing the harassment and a lack of support from JSO.
The clinic had been hiring off-duty officers to provide security until JSO recently disallowed the practice.
In an email Thursday, JSO said the change was due to a "policy in place regarding protest incidents."
"When a protest occurs within the city, the Patrol Division will respond to keep the peace while protecting the rights of both the protestors and citizens," the agency said. "As such, beginning [Thursday], the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will have at least one officer at the University Boulevard location during normal business hours to ensure the safety of all parties. This plan will remain in place for the foreseeable future."
A WJCT News reporter visited the clinic an hour before closing and didn't see protesters or JSO, though workers said a handful of protesters had set up just outside the property earlier in the day.
