Indian River County resident Yolanda Woods isn't giving up in her crusade to equip all police officers with body cameras throughout the state of Florida. Her passion comes from losing her own daughter, Alteria in 2017 to a deputy who wasn't wearing a body cam.
“Since her murder, it has actually strengthened me to keep fighting harder for her, but not only for her, for the voices in my community that is scared to take a stand," said Woods.
Woods, along with community activist Michael C. Marsh, travel the state advocating for body cameras to become mandatory for every police department.
“The day needs to come where we bridge that gap between officers and the community and I believe body cameras are it,” said Marsh.
Both Marsh and Woods applaud the Sebastian Police Department for becoming the first department in Indian River County to make a move towards cameras. Starting in October, the department will roll out 3 body cameras to use in the field.
“I applaud them,” said Woods.
Woods said although she is ecstatic at Sebastian PD's latest move, she isn't giving up her goal of seeing the county sheriff's office follow suit.
"What we are doing can make a difference to another family, especially to another mother, to have to go through what I'm going through," said Woods.
She plans to attend the Indian River County Commissioners meeting on July 11. Currently, any talk about body cameras isn't on the agenda, but Woods and Marsh plan to bring up the topic during public discussion.