Commissioner Regina Hill releases first official statement regarding police raid of her home and arrest of her son, Rakeem.
By Jacob Engels
This week has been a tough one for Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill. Mrs. Hill, who serves District 5, was dismayed when police raided a home she owns and arrested her son, Rakeem, who is 27. But Hill is no stranger to adversity, and has handled the news with grace and dignity.
The police raided the home in connection to a tip about drug activity going on inside the residence and ended up charging 5 individuals weapons and drug charges. Commissioner Hill, who has an inspiring life story of overcoming 21 arrests and taking on a political dynasty to serve District 5, told the Orlando Political Observer that the activity going on inside the house was news to her.
Since taking office, Hill has faced constant resistance and criticism from the vestiges of the power structure of her one-time opponents family, but has been praised for rising above negative perceptions about her past and working to better the community. Back-to-school efforts and community engagement have seen a tremendous increase under Hill’s tenure, in stark contrast to her predecessor Daisy Lynum.
Hill’s statement from her office asks that the media is respectful of her family as she deals with these matters involving her son.
“The Commissioner is both shocked and saddened by the events that occurred yesterday at the house she owns on Baywood Avenue. As this is news to her, she has no comments on the matter at this time. The Commissioner asks that the media is respectful of her family, as she deals with matters that involve her son. Although her son is an adult, like any mother or citizen, she is concerned.”
Just after news of the arrest spread, Hill attended the funeral of a family friend, and according to a post made on her Facebook profile, she recieved an outpouring of support from over 500 attendees, giving her strength during this difficult time.
Renowned local defense attorney Roger Scott, who Hill has retained to represent her going forward, told the East Orlando Post that they are still waiting to see the police reports and talk to her son.
“Like any mother, Mrs. Hill is concerned and scared for her son, and awaits learning more about what exactly happened,” said Scott.
In politics, it’s not unusual for family members or close friends of elected officials to deal with the problems of addiction and bad decision making that face all families, whether you are the son to an Orlando City Commissioner, or child of a presidential candidate. Let’s give Commissioner Hill some space and let her resolve these matters in private, it’s simply the right thing to do.
How many times have you hidden something from your parents or mad bad decisions that your parents HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH? Think about it, we have all done that.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
