Melissa Infante

[Melissa Bell @FLLymeDisease]

Another example why @GainesvilleGov needs to reevaluate its very low (no?) barrier policies at GRACE Marketplace (No ID, no background check, no sobriety requirement).

A homeless man was recently charged with domestic battery by strangulation, domestic battery, and two charges for failing to report as a sexual offender.

🛑 Registered Sexual Predator (convicted of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 12)
🛑 GRACE Marketplace address
🛑 Four past felony convictions (one sexual offense) and three misdemeanor convictions (non-violent)
🛑 Five state prison sentences, with his most recent release in August 2025
🛑 Failed to check in at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office since November 2025 even though required every 30 days as a sex offender.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@FlaBryan @GainesvilleGov @GovRonDeSantis Why not take reasonable precautions? If a shelter can provide help while also verifying identity and screening for violent felonies and sex-offender status, why wouldn’t we do both? Compassion and public safety should be able to coexist.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@FlaBryan @GainesvilleGov @GovRonDeSantis A low-barrier shelter that does not require ID in a college town raises serious questions for safety. How are identities verified? Are criminal and sex-offender checks conducted? Compassion and community safety both matter.

[Melissa Bell @FLLymeDisease]

🧵1/7 A key issue is whether and how Grace Marketplace, a "low barrier," "housing first" shelter in Gainesville, FL that encountered 384 dispatch calls (205 criminal) in July 2026 alone screens

who may enter their congregate shelter; what information is collected at intake, what screening occurs, what treatment or supervision requirements apply, and what conditions are attached to public funding.

Commissioner Eastman @FlaBryan, please explain precisely what you meant when you said GRACE:

“absolutely screen[s] for people that are dangerous to people in there”

at the City Commissioner meeting on Sept 17, 2026.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@FlaBryan @GainesvilleGov @GovRonDeSantis The homelessness chart doesn’t measure safety. GPD’s Jan–June 2026 data show violent crime up 22% vs. 2025: homicide +133%, rape +27%, robbery +22% and aggravated assault +20%. What data supports the claim that Gainesville is safer by a low barrier homeless shelter?

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@JayCollinsFL @JayCollinsFL Do you support requiring GRACE Mktplace, a low-barrier shelter in the UF area, to verify identity and screen for violent felonies and sex-offender status? UF parents want to know what is being done to protect the area outside of campus where students live &walk.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@ByronDonalds @davidjollyfl Where do you stand on requiring low-barrier shelters in college communities to verify identity and screen for violent felonies and sex-offender status? UF parents and voters want to know.

https://t.co/SLFJ3zeuZR

[Melissa Bell @FLLymeDisease]

🧵1/7 A key issue is whether and how Grace Marketplace, a "low barrier," "housing first" shelter in Gainesville, FL that encountered 384 dispatch calls (205 criminal) in July 2026 alone screens

who may enter their congregate shelter; what information is collected at intake, what screening occurs, what treatment or supervision requirements apply, and what conditions are attached to public funding.

Commissioner Eastman @FlaBryan, please explain precisely what you meant when you said GRACE:

“absolutely screen[s] for people that are dangerous to people in there”

at the City Commissioner meeting on Sept 17, 2026.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@RonDeSantis @UF @GovRonDeSantis @FlaBryan Proud to be a Floridian and proud my daughter just started her first year at UF. But the lack of urgency and action around safety in our college towns like Gainesville keeps me up at night. Please make them safer—for my kids, your kids & all FL kids.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@FLLymeDisease @UF @RonDeSantis @UFPublicSafety @hlward @AlachuaChronic1 @AlachuaCounty @SecretaryTurner @TheAlligator @WUFTNews @FoxNews @GovRonDeSantis from one parent to another, we need to do better for our kids.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@gregauman No ceiling is too high for someone with her talent, work ethic, and dedication. An incredible coach who continues to earn every opportunity and break through barriers. Congratulations on joining a championship-winning organization!

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

Update - they arrived. 51 mins later but better than a no show at all. Thank you!

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@AskFrontier Sent

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@SenatorBennet It is an unaffordable care act that made insurance costs unaffordable for everyone. There has to be a better way.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@RogerMarshallMD Hope so…something has to change with the whole health insurance system. It is completely broken

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@realDonaldTrump @realDonaldTrump why haven’t our marines been issued an evacuation at MC Base Kaneohe? No evacuation orders and they are right on the water.

[Melissa Infante @MelOReGabLuc]

@LairdOfTheManor Hilarious