Group may seek outside review of Police Department

The coalition of neighborhoods says it's worried about low morale.

By CARRIE JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 20, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- Expressing doubt that Police Chief Chuck Harmon is addressing morale issues within his department, the Council of Neighborhood Associations is discussing the need for an outside review of the agency.

If the review is not conducted satisfactorily, the group may call upon the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office to assume control of the Police Department.

"The concern we all have is feeling safe in our neighborhoods and feeling safe in our city," said Brent Fisher, president of CONA.

At a meeting Wednesday night in the Sunshine Center, the coalition stopped short of approving a resolution to submit their plan to the mayor, opting to table it for a month to gather input from neighborhood residents.

But the consensus was clear: The Police Department needs help.

"We've got to do something, folks, even if it's wrong," said Ron Russell, who represents Jungle Terrace.

Harmon sat in silence during the two-hour meeting.

"I don't mind being reviewed, but let's come to a consensus and let's do it in a way that will be useful," he said afterward.

Harmon also said he doubted CONA had the authority to ask the Sheriff's Office to take over his agency.

Troubled by a recent drop in the number of police officers, Harmon recently submitted a list of proposals to Mayor Rick Baker aimed at boosting morale, such as giving take-home cars to officers who live outside the city.

CONA members said Wednesday those initiatives won't address the department's real problems, which involve a lack of communication through the chain of command. But other group members said involvement from the Sheriff's Office was too drastic.

Jeff Danner, who represents Kenwood, said he felt "blind-sided" by the proposal. He wanted more time to discuss it with others from his neighborhood before a vote.

"Why don't we do what we've always done, and talk to the other members of our communities?" he said.

-- Carrie Johnson can be reached at 892-2273 or cjohnson@sptimes.com .

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