Public commenters press Boca Raton council on election integrity and urge a local cybercrime task force

Several residents addressed the Boca Raton City Council during the public comment period on May 29 to express concerns about election integrity and to urge greater local attention to cybercrime.

Erin Atkes (introduced by the clerk) spoke about what she described as "critical election risks and vulnerabilities" in Palm Beach County and asked whether the city holds election-integrity workshops or budgets for such efforts. Atkes cited statutes and alleged chain-of-custody problems with vote-by-mail handling and tabulation procedures; she urged decentralization of ballot counting and said residents should examine voter registration data.

Mickie Isaacson, who gave a Boynton Beach address, echoed calls for investigation and asked the council to review materials she handed to members, including a request to convene a grand jury to investigate the 2022 and 2024 elections. Isaacson asserted that the supervisor of elections changed party affiliation before running and that access to tabulation facilities had been denied to grassroots requesters.

A third commenter identified as Miss Ross delivered broad accusations that local and county institutions participate in conspiracies, described alleged pandemic-era "treason," and urged a sharp reorientation of local leadership. Her remarks were ideological and did not present local evidence the council could act on.

By contrast, Anastasia Colas, a Boca Raton resident, urged the creation of a specialized local cybercrime task force to handle rising online harassment, illegal phone tapping, cyberstalking and to support individuals and small businesses who said they do not receive attention from federal agencies. Colas argued localized capacity could intervene earlier and cited the city’s innovation ecosystem as a reason Boca Raton could pilot such an effort.

Mayor Singer closed the public request period after a final speaker who made several off-topic remarks. The council did not take formal action on election-related requests or on the cybercrime task force during this meeting.

What to watch next

Speakers asked the council to consider (1) reviewing local election procedures or convening investigative bodies and (2) exploring a local cybercrime response. Neither request received a motion, referral or staff assignment on May 29; any follow-up would require a council direction or an item placed on a future agenda.