Only in Key West, and more specifically, only in Key West during an election, does a routine traffic stop become a social media spectacle.
So let’s cut through the comments and conjecture to what actually happened when commissioner Sam Kaufman, who is running against incumbent mayor Dee Dee Henriquez, was pulled over for speeding on Northside Drive just before 10 a.m. on April 9.
Some Henriquez supporters contacted the Keys Weekly the night of April 10, claiming Kaufman was traveling more than double the 20-mph speed limit, an offense that could have resulted in a reckless driving ticket and four points against a driver’s license.
The claims suggested that Kaufman, who is campaigning for transparency in city government and against favoritism, used his position as a commissioner to persuade the police officer not to ticket him.
But footage from the officer’s dashboard camera, which the Keys Weekly requested and received from the Key West Police Department, tells a different story.
In the video, which lasts less than three minutes, the officer’s patrol car is stopped behind Publix on Northside Drive. Multiple cars and a scooter pass in both directions. Then Kaufman’s Kia Telluride passes, going what looks to be faster than the prior vehicles, prompting the officer to pull onto Northside Drive and activate his lights behind Kaufman’s car, which pulls over immediately near Regal Cinema.
The officer can be heard calling Kaufman’s license plate number into dispatch before approaching the driver’s side window. He speaks to Kaufman for 24 seconds, according to the counter on the dash cam footage, then returns to his car without Kaufman’s license or registration. The two cars pull away.
Kaufman acknowledged the traffic stop in a Facebook post Monday afternoon, writing, “Last Thursday, I was pulled over for speeding, and I shouldn’t have been driving so fast. I take full responsibility and will be more careful. Like anyone, I’m human, but that doesn’t excuse it. I respect our law enforcement and appreciate what they do for our community. I’m focused on continuing to show up and do the work for Key West.”
Kaufman, who’s an attorney, further told the Keys Weekly, “I don’t even know if he recognized me as a city commissioner, but I did not and would never try to use my position to get out of a ticket.
“I thought he may have recognized me from a case in which I represented two young women in a stalking case. And the officer had been very helpful to my clients in that case. But I don’t know if he recognized me at all. He told me to slow down. We shook hands. He didn’t ask for my license and registration,” said Kaufman. “I apologized, and that was it. I honestly didn’t look at my speedometer, so I don’t know how fast I was going, and I wouldn’t take any issue with how fast he said I was going. He’s a good officer.”
Key West police spokeswoman Alyson Crean told the Keys Weekly on April 14 that Officer Mike Brablc will receive a reprimand for not activating his body-worn camera during the traffic stop.
“I feel badly that he’s getting a reprimand. That’s terrible,” Kaufman told the Keys Weekly. “He’s a really good officer. And I feel badly that the chief is also likely getting pressure with this.”
Following significant public attention, Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg issued a statement on Thursday, April 16. He indicated the officer will not receive a reprimand or any disciplinary action. Chief Brandenburg’s statement appears below in its entirety.
“In the interest of transparency and public accountability, the Key West Police Department is providing the following information regarding a traffic stop that occurred on Northside Drive on April 9, shortly before 10:00 a.m.
“I have personally spoken with the officer involved in this incident to review the circumstances surrounding the stop. The officer advised that radar indicated the vehicle was traveling at 52 miles per hour in a 20 mile per hour zone at the time of the stop. The officer further noted that he regularly conducts radar enforcement in this area and that similar speeds are not uncommon.
“As with all enforcement actions, the officer stated that he evaluates each situation based on the totality of the circumstances and handles each stop independently. In this instance, the officer exercised discretion and elected to provide education in lieu of issuing a citation.
“During our discussion, the officer confirmed that he did recognize the driver as a City Commissioner. He also acknowledged the Commissioner’s identity was confirmed due to a bumper sticker on the vehicle displaying the Commissioner’s image.
“Regarding the absence of body-worn camera footage, the department’s cameras operate in two modes: fully powered off and buffering mode. The “off” setting is used in specific circumstances, such as while completing reports at the station, in locker rooms, or in restrooms, to prevent unintended activation. As the department cannot delete any recorded footage in less than 30 days, officers must ensure cameras are turned off or left outside in such situations.
“The officer reported that upon returning to his vehicle after the traffic stop, he attempted to deactivate the body-worn camera and realized it had been left in the “off” position. Upon learning that the body-worn camera was off, this is when the audible ‘Jesus Christ’ is heard.
“He believes the camera remained off after a prior restroom break before initiating radar enforcement.
“Key West Police Department Policy 06.28.01.02(A) outlines mandatory recording requirements for body-worn cameras, including traffic stops. “The department has reviewed this matter in accordance with established procedures. No reprimand or disciplinary action is being issued to the Officer.
“The Key West Police Department remains committed to transparency, fairness, and maintaining the trust of the community we serve.”
