By Dr. Joanette Brookes-George
The brutal triple homicide in Tamarac, Florida, is not just a tragedy—it is a failure. A catastrophic, systemic failure that cost three innocent lives. Mary Gingles, her father David Ponzer, and neighbor Andrew Ferrin were murdered in cold blood by Mary’s estranged husband, Nathan Gingles. This was not unpredictable. This was not unavoidable. This was the result of negligence, inaction, and a system that continually fails to take domestic violence seriously until bodies are in the morgue.
When Will We Start Believing Victims the First Time?
For too long, domestic violence victims have been treated as nuisances instead of people in grave danger. It takes unimaginable courage for a victim to break free from the cycle of abuse—to admit they are in danger, to ask for help, and to say, “I need protection.” When a victim reaches out, it is not a request—it is a life-or-death plea. And too often, that plea is ignored, dismissed, or treated with indifference.
Mary Gingles did what we tell victims to do. She got a restraining order. She sought protection. And yet, she was still killed. Why? Because restraining orders are meaningless without enforcement. Because law enforcement agencies are failing victims when they should be their first line of defense.
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony himself admitted, “It is clear we fell short.” He suspended seven BSO members, but suspensions won’t bring back Mary, David, or Andrew. Suspensions won’t stop the next abuser who decides that a restraining order is just a piece of paper.
Domestic Violence is a Crisis, Not a Private Matter
This is not a “domestic dispute.” This is not a “bad breakup.” This is a public safety crisis.
In just the first week of 2025, 17 women, 9 men, and 7 children were killed in domestic violence incidents across the U.S. (Domestic Violence Tracker 2025, January 5, 2025).
In 2020, Florida reported 106,515 domestic violence offenses, leading to 63,217 arrests (Florida Department of Children and Families Domestic Violence Annual Report, 2024).
How many more victims were failed before those arrests happened?
How many more will die before we prioritize action over empty apologies?
Enough Excuses. It’s Time for Action.
We demand immediate, measurable changes:
Stronger Policy Enforcement – Restraining orders must be backed by immediate intervention, strict monitoring, and severe consequences for violations. If someone has a history of violence, they should not be given the opportunity to escalate to murder.
Mandatory Domestic Violence Response Training for Law Enforcement – It is inexcusable for officers to dismiss or minimize threats from abusers. Every officer should be trained to handle domestic violence cases with urgency, empathy, and diligence. No more turning victims away.
Increased Funding for Victim Support Services – Victims need real resources: emergency housing, legal advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, and rapid response teams. If we can fund law enforcement agencies with billions of dollars, we can fund the lifesaving services that prevent violence.4. 4.Community Responsibility – Build a Culture of Upstanders, Not Bystanders – Every person in a community has a role to play. If you see signs of abuse, speak up. If someone confides in you, believe them. Domestic violence is not a “private matter.” It is a community issue, and silence is complicity.
- No More Empty Words. No More Lives Lost.
The Tamarac murders were preventable. The system failed. And if we do not act now, it will fail again. We cannot wait until the next obituary is written. Legislators, law enforcement, and community leaders must act. We demand action. We demand justice. We demand change.
How many more must die before we stop failing them?
