FM leaders want new city manager who can help combat violence

FORT MYERS, Fla.- City leaders in Fort Myers say they need to find someone who help curb the recent wave of crime.

Monday night, officials discussed the search for a new city manager at a special meeting inside Fort Myers City Hall. The recent gun violence in Fort Myers is now playing a big role in deciding just who will fill the position.

“I want someone who can get crime under control and show experience in doing it,” said councilman Forrest Banks.

Council members say they want a good communicator, someone who knows how to preserve economic growth and has had success with policing.

“We just need to throw a bigger blanket than we have been throwing,” said council member Mike Flanders.

“The shootings are the result of we are not recognizing the symptoms,” said council member Johnny Streets.

Streets was upset saying a victim of last Wednesday’s shootings called the police department to give information, but a detective never called that victim back.

“Within an hour there was somebody there at the hospital, including myself, to show these folks that we do care. And for whatever reason we didn’t get there, I don’t know, but to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said.

Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson is gathering political figures across the state to create a task force while embracing other law enforcement officials.

“If law enforcement agencies that are working on this could share with you what they are doing, I think you and the citizens alike would be pleased,” said Henderson.

Fort Myers Police Chief Dennis Eads says he will not comment on the allegations made by council member Streets until after he looks in to what exactly happened with that victim.