ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There’s no argument that St. Petersburg's "Courageous 12" risked everything in the 1960s to fight for equality, advancement and respect for all African American law enforcement officers.

However, there are different opinions currently on how their actions should be honored and immortalized. 

  • City plans to hang plaque in new Police HQ
  • Public Arts Commission committed $100K to creating a larger art installment
  • Mayor Rick Kriseman supportive of effort to raise funds for larger monument
  • More Pinellas County stories

Before the Courageous 12 sued the city of St. Petersburg, black officers could only patrol the city’s south side. They could only arrest black residents, and black officers weren’t allow to take tests to advance in rank.

Now, more than 50 years later, the city plans to hang a plaque in the new police headquarters to honor their efforts, but some don’t think that’s nearly enough.

“They affected the world basically with what they did,” said Kim Crawford, daughter of Officer Freddie Crawford, one of the "12," who passed away earlier this year. “I don't think that's enough because we've had the first black chief, now we have the second black chief, we have assistant chiefs. People have made rank and that's what they were fighting for.”

St. Petersburg NAACP President Maria Scruggs agrees with her. 

“We cannot allow this to be minimized or reduced to a plaque,” Scruggs said, “I mean, we give out plaques in St. Petersburg like cotton candy.”

Last week, The Public Arts Commission committed $100,000 to creating a larger art installment. Supporters will now raise approximately $200,000 more from private donations to erect an artwork.

Mayor Rick Kriseman says he is supportive of the effort.

“I am pleased that the Public Arts Commission has dedicated funding to this important endeavor and that leaders in our community are pledging to raise additional funds to ensure that this is done right,” Kriseman said.

Kim Crawford just wants it “done right” for her father and his 11 colleagues.

“It started as a promise to my dad that a monument would be erected,” Crawford said,” So that's what we want to see, that promise fulfilled.”

The city is planning to hold a plaque dedication ceremony later this month.