Broward County elects new sheriff

NEAR FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- There's a new sheriff in town in Broward County.

"I'm going to extend my hand. I'm your sheriff as much as I am everyone else's sheriff, and we're going to do things a different way, with hope and decency," said Broward County Sheriff Elect Scott Israel.

Two-time challenger Israel defeated incumbent Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti Tuesday night. The 30-year law enforcement veteran ran on a platform of preventing youth arrests, jailing less homeless people for petty crimes, and he promised voters a new level of leadership. "We've only won half the battle," said Israel. "Now we need to go over, and we need to serve Broward County like it's never been served before."

Meanwhile, the outgoing sheriff will leave his post after more than 30 years with the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Lamberti narrowly beat Israel in 2008. However, this time around, the incumbent sheriff just did not have enough votes.

"I spent the last 35 years of my life at the Broward County Sheriff's Office, serving the people of Broward County," said Lamberti. "That, in and of itself, has been an honor and a privilege. To be the first sheriff in history of the Broward County Sheriff's Office to come up through the ranks, that is a privilege I will always treasure."

No word yet on when Israel will be sworn in.

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