Northpinellas: Don't blame officers for doing their job

Sigh. Every so often a letter to the editor will rub me the wrong way and I will feel the need to write a response. I mean no offense to Joy Gadson of Tarpon Springs, whose son was ticketed for breaking the law for riding a Go-Ped.

What rubs me the wrong way is the attitude toward the police officer. He is not the one at fault here. She asked, "Isn't there enough to keep the department busy other than giving out these tickets?" Well, giving out those tickets is part of the job.

Officer "Gloveman" was doing his job and serving his community. This wasn't a conspiracy against her son. The officer was just upholding the law.

Ms. Gadson asked why Go-Peds are being sold if they are illegal to ride. From my understanding, Go-Peds and go-carts have disclaimers on them. This is from the Go-Ped Web site: "Before you ride, you will need to check with your regional and local vehicle code. A particular area may also have ordinances that limit the use of scooters."

Of course they want to sell their product, so they don't come out and tell you that it's illegal in many communities. It's a shame that some parents know the law and continue to allow their children to use these motorized scooters and go-carts. They are teaching their children disrespect for the law and law enforcement in general.

I have seen numerous go-carts and scooters zipping around my neighborhood and almost get hit by cars.

To the officer, I thank you for trying to protect our community and for the selfless, endless work that you do. I could never do your job; nor would I want to. You put your life on the line every day, only to get very little respect, blamed for doing your job, blamed for not doing your job, cursed at, spat at, nasty looks, death threats to you and your family, the media tearing you up if you mess up, and hardly any praise when you do something wonderful ... unless you die in the process.

There are people who respect you, appreciate you, pray for you and teach their children to do the same.
-- Tracie White, Clearwater

All drivers need licenses; mother missed opportunity

Re: Scooter ticket leaves mom questioning cop's wisdom, letter, June 14.

Recently a letter to the editor was published from a mother concerning her 14-year-old son receiving a ticket for operating a motorized scooter on a road without a license. There are several points that I'd like to address.

First, perhaps this is an issue that should be taken up with the Florida Legislature, since that authority passed the law her son violated.

Attacking a police officer for doing his job, while not uncommon, is still distasteful even if it is for a minor infraction such as this. It would be one thing if the young man had been riding on a country road somewhere, but unfortunately, Pinellas County is far from rural and our streets are a dangerous place.

If a vehicle is going to share the road, it should be operated by a person who is familiar with the rules that every other driver abides by. The purpose of a driver's license is to demonstrate one's capability of operating a vehicle safely, not to punish a 14-year-old for riding a scooter. If a person isn't old enough to earn a license, then perhaps that is something a concerned parent should consider before allowing the child to drive on our congested roads.

Second, the true tragedy here is not the fact that the son broke the law and a law enforcement officer "wasted" his time by doing his job, but rather that the mother missed the opportunity to show her son what being a good citizen is all about. Unfortunately, this will not be a teaching experience that it could have been for the young man but will serve as an example of how to be petty and not respectful of society and its laws. By referring to the officer as "Gloveman," this mother trivialized the authority and responsibility that a law enforcement officer epitomizes.

Issuing a warning in this case would not have been effective because neither the parents nor the son would have taken it seriously, which they apparently still do not. Had this person ignored the issue and the son been struck by a car, I wonder if the lawsuit to follow against the city and Police Department would have been considered a waste of time.
-- Ed Kalajainen, Dunedin

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