Letters to the Editors

Police blew it pursuing rape suspect

Re: Suspect in rape case arrested, Aug. 30

Editor: I read the story of the events of how a Pasco County deputy had observed a known rape suspect. He watched this suspect flee into a house when the suspect saw the deputy coming toward him.

Then in the next paragraph officials say, "But without a warrant or permission from the owner, police and deputies couldn't go inside."

So for three hours police sat and waited for the homeowner to be located. I am sure a whole lot of other citizens around here are at this point asking the question, why wait three hours?

When law enforcement officers are in hot pursuit of a known criminal and that pursuit takes them into a building, or a home, or whatever, the pursuing officers need not stop their pursuit to procure a warrant or permission to enter.

The subject was known by police as a suspected rapist. Going into an open house in pursuit of a known criminal should not have stopped at the door. Further along in the story reporter Ryan Davis asked, "Why didn't police notify the public that they were looking for a rapist?"

Well, that's a good question. Had New Port Richey police bothered to release such information, maybe, just maybe, the offender would have been located sooner, rather then being at large for 20 days as a constant danger to all other women in our community. Finding out that police didn't think it important enough to issue a report of this criminal as a public service, is not what I expect of this department.

Beyond this, what bothers me is what seems to be a lack of understanding of laws that can be applied by police while in the pursuit of any fleeing criminal. Then what police could do in three minutes took three hours.
-- James W. Coakley, New Port Richey

Enough of the tiresome antics of city police

Editor: Two high-ranking members of the Port Richey Police Department have been demoted and suspended without pay. One, the agency's spokesman, for complaining about his situation at work. The other was the agency's third man in charge.

Where do I start? The rides to Hernando County in the department-issue Ford Expedition to facilitate an extramarital affair? Drinking alcohol at a local bar after calling in sick for shifts? Ignoring emergency police business while escorting his girlfriend in the Police Department building -- alone? Something seems wrong here.

Both of them are given the same punishment, neither of them was fired. Makes us wonder what we have not been informed of. How about first and second in charge?

We tire of the continued antics at Port Richey Police Department. I think it would be really nice if we could just do the right thing and vote to have Port Richey policed by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Here is your chance.
-- Peggy Ann McKinley, Port Richey

New Port Richey can take a cue from neighbor

Editor: I was really happy to see that there are Port Richey City Council members who are not oblivious to what is going on in their city. Reading about how the City Council is fighting over the city budget with the city manager, was to say, refreshing. I guess the people of Port Richey have elected people who give a darn about them and their city. It seems that the council members are actually doing the job they were put into office to do.

Unfortunately, the people of our neighboring city don't share in this pleasure. It seems that it only takes the city of New Port Richey 45 minutes to figure out a $25-million dollar budget. But then it doesn't take long to show up, say "yes," than go home.

Maybe the New Port Richey council members should go to Port Richey council meetings and learn how to work on a city budget the proper way. Our city is adding $4-million to the budget. Maybe it is time for a real big change to come to the city of New Port Richey.
-- John DiGiorgio, New Port Richey

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