Coral Springs police officer Paul Kempinski is recovering well from multiple surgeries he had after being shot multiple times by a robber with an assault rifle, but the incident has left its scars, and not just on the officer’s body.

Kempinski is the first Coral Springs police officer to be shot and wounded by a suspect; residents and city officials nurse the fear he might not be the last. At a recent City Commission meeting, city officials and residents talked about growing crime in South Florida and the key role played by the Broward Sheriff’s Office in ensuring public safety in the county.

Brian Walsh, who recently had a fundraiser for Kempinski, said the response from Broward Sheriff's Office when Kempinski was shot was “unbelievable.” “Paul was shot four times. We are so very fortunate to have him around now....If we don’t have [Broward Sheriff's Office], who will we call on? The City Commission should send a letter thanking the County Commission."

With the Broward County Commission asking Broward Sheriff's Office to cut its budget, there is concern that public safety in cities within the county could be compromised. The city should send a letter to the county asking them not to cut back on public safety, said Vice Mayor Vince Boccard.

"In times when the economy is down, crime goes up, and this is not the time to cut the budget on public safety. We need outside agencies to help us in times of need. Every city in Broward needs [Broward Sheriff's Office],” Boccard said.