The Florida Aquarium, in conjunction with the Tampa Police Department (TPD) and the City of Tampa, announced March 1 that it had officially been named as a safe space for victims of hate crimes and harassment in the city’s Safe Place Initiative.
“Life is vibrant and unique, and The Florida Aquarium is strongly committed to fostering and celebrating our planet’s diversity. Providing a safe refuge for community members across our diverse Tampa Bay region and beyond, we will always stand on the side of inclusion and justice,” the aquarium’s president and CEO Roger Germann’s statement reads. “We’re honored to be designated as a Safe Place by the Tampa Police Department as everyone is always welcome at The Florida Aquarium.”
The initiative exists to ensure “the safety of all residents and visitors regardless of race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability,” TPD says. They further note their commitment to “tackling crimes that target specific demographics that are at a higher risk to be victimized.”
The Florida Aquarium now displays the rainbow-colored Safe Place decal on its entrance in an effort to relay to victims that the location is “willing to assist and protect” them. TPD provided the location’s staff with free training on how to assist victims of attempted hate crimes or harassment, instructing them to direct individuals to the aquarium’s police officer on duty or to call 911. When the aquarium is closed, a security office can be reached via an intercom located by the double glass doors located to the left of the main entrance.
For more information about the Safe Place Initiative or the Florida Aquarium, visit tampagov.net/police/safe-place or flaquarium.org.
Image from The Florida Aquarium’s Facebook.
