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Greco's support draws FBI kudos
© St. Petersburg Times The tight-lipped Tampa office of the FBI rarely comments on local political figures. That's because the bureau might have to investigate a county commissioner, city official or circuit judge one day. As an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is the only agency theoretically immune from local politics. So we took a special interest in a news release the FBI sent us this week recognizing the "exceptional performance" of Mayor Dick Greco. "He's the real deal as far as the FBI is concerned," acting special agent-in-charge Lawrence E. Albert said in an interview. Albert acknowledged how unusual the news release was, but he said the mayor's support for law enforcement has been extraordinary. FBI director Robert S. Mueller III had planned to personally present a letter of recognition to Greco, but at the last minute couldn't make it to Tampa, Albert said. "Every time I'm on a scene, I get a tap on the shoulder, and it's the mayor," Albert said. "The guy has never asked for anything ever. It's always been, "Can I help you?' " That's commendable. But as the elected official who oversees the police department, isn't the mayor supposed to show support for law enforcement? What sort of message did the FBI send to tipsters or agents who might want to look into allegations of corruption at City Hall? The feds are currently investigating the mayor's housing chief, Steve LaBrake, for allegations of misconduct. Albert said the bureau's praise of Greco wouldn't compromise any investigation of City Hall -- not that Albert was suggesting any investigation exists. "There is never a quid pro quo with the mayor," Albert said. "It's a recognition of the mayor's support for law enforcement." WHO'S RUNNING?: Notice a little fidgeting beneath the black robes this week? This is the week Hillsborough County's judges are watching the phone and checking elections Web sites on the hour, wondering whether anyone will muster the moxie to try to take their jobs. There are 24 sitting circuit judges and three county judges up for reelection this year. So far, only four -- Florence Foster, Cheryl Thomas, William Levens and Eric Myers -- have drawn opposition. There is an unwritten, widely acknowledged courthouse code that discourages challengers from running against sitting judges. But the judges won't be able to celebrate until noon Friday, the deadline for candidates to qualify for the races. POLICE WORK: Chief Inspector Paul Bright of the Hampshire Constabulary in England dropped in on the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office during a visit here as a Fullbright scholar. Tampa impressed him, Bright said, because of the way law enforcement is so in touch with victims and the services available to help them. There are no victim's assistance programs in Britain, he said. But there is one approach to dealing with family related crime issues, such as domestic violence, that Bright would like to see the U.S. adopt. It's called "Family Group Conferencing," and it works like this: A coordinator prepares the family in crisis and the agencies involved for a day of brainstorming. It's like group therapy, Bright said, "but it's not therapy. It's problem solving." The victim, the offender and the professionals take turns sharing information about what is going on. Then the professionals leave, and the family comes up with a plan to help themselves solve the problem. The plan has to be measurable and achievable. Having the family involved in that process "gives back some control to people who feel they've lost it," Bright said. Then the professionals come back to talk about the plan and how they can support it. The wonderful thing about the concept, Bright said, is that it can be applied anywhere to any type of crime or problem. Although he is back at North Carolina State University, where his studies are based, Bright has carried with him one more fond memory of Tampa: Cuban food in Ybor City. "I had chicken, and they chopped up about three cloves of garlic in there," he said. "It was lovely." -- Times staff writer David Karp contributed to Uncuffed.
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