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With some lists, best check twice
© St. Petersburg Times Kicking off her campaign for Hillsborough circuit judge in June, Monica Sierra held an hors d'oeuvres-and-refreshments reception at the Tampa Garden Center. On the invitation, Sierra, whose motto is "Your vote for justice," lists the names of some 160 supporters, including family members, friends and well-connected business types. But one particular name caught our attention: Mr. Vincent LoScalzo. Federal agents would recognize the name. For years, authorities identified LoScalzo, 65, as the head of organized crime in Tampa, the successor to the notorious Santo Trafficante Jr. -- accusations LoScalzo denies. In the 1990s, LoScalzo and six others were charged in an investment scam that culminated in his agreeing to a plea deal of three years' probation. Sierra, 35, who has the endorsement of the Police Benevolent Association, said LoScalzo's name appeared on her campaign material because her brothers handed out endorsement forms at the Columbia Restaurant. Sierra says she doesn't know LoScalzo, never met LoScalzo and hasn't taken campaign money from LoScalzo -- a claim borne out by a check of her campaign contribution records. "There's going be a lot of people that support me that I don't know," Sierra said. "The list includes doctors, teachers, lawyers. I have just huge across-the-board support." Still, she said, "I'm reviewing everything more closely now." * * * SO MUCH FOR THE SAMARITANS: On the afternoon of July 14, Chiquita Wilson staggered into Winners Food Store on N 56th Street in Temple Terrace. She was bleeding from a deep cut to the throat. The owners of the convenience store, Ashok and Kokila Patel, didn't hesitate to help her. They dialed 911. Easing Wilson onto the floor, they used some nearby T-shirts for sale and bags of ice to try to stop the bleeding until paramedics came. Wilson was taken to the hospital, where she later died. Back at Winners, Temple Terrace police detectives combed the store for clues. Blood was everywhere, and the Patels had to close the store for six hours. Because blood is a biohazard, police suggested that the Patels use a commercial crime-scene cleanup business before reopening. The couple called Accident/Trauma Scene Cleaners in St. Petersburg. The company charged $300 for the cleanup, and the bill went to the Patels. Temple Terrace police Capt. Tracy Mishler asked the department's victim advocate to see if the Patels could be reimbursed, but he was told no. "They weren't considered direct victims," Mishler said. The Patels' insurance deductible won't cover the cleanup, and they still haven't paid the $300. "They're punishing the person who tried to help," said Ashok Patel. John Heath, the owner of Accident/Trauma Scene Cleaners, understands their frustration. He has tried to lobby local governments to set up a crime scene fund for people who can't pay for the cleanup. He believes Phoenix is the only city in the nation to have such a fund. "If this was a family member, (the Patels) would have been eligible to be reimbursed," he said. * * * THAT'S A LOT OF SLURPEES: Did you know that more than a half-million Slurpees are purchased at 7-Eleven, America's ubiquitous convenience store, each day? And what, exactly, does this have to do with law enforcement? In Temple Terrace, a lot. Starting Aug. 30, officers there will give local kids "tickets" for good behavior. Those tickets can be redeemed at 7-Eleven for the frozen beverages. It is part of Operation Chill, a national program to reward kids for good deeds such as deterring crime or participating in a positive activity in the community. Last year, a million Slurpees were given to good kids across the country. Temple Terrace police have given the coupons away before. "For instance, when you see a child riding along and they have their bicycle helmet on," said Sgt. Lisa Dubord. "When they're caught in the act of doing something good." More than 1,000 coupons for free Slurpees will be issued to Temple Terrace kids. * * * A NEW FACE: You may have noticed a new face on the column today. Tamara Lush now covers the police beat in Hillsborough County. -- Got a tip? For cops, contact Tamara Lush at 226-3386 or lush@sptimes.com. For courts, contact Christopher Goffard at 226-3337 or goffard@sptimes.com.
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