Recently the St. Petersburg Times printed a few articles that may have led you to believe that the Tarpon Springs Police Department may be involved in corruption and other illegal activities. That is the right of the newspaper to print, as they feel this is an important news story.
Yet stories are sometimes written in such a way that might persuade readers to believe that some allegations are actually fact. Whether this is intentional or accidental is up to you, the reader, to decide. In this light I would like everyone also to consider the following:
Public Defender Bob Dillinger is a friend of mine and is a good man. But the fact is that his job is to find his clients innocent by any legal means possible.
All of the investigations against the Tarpon Springs Police Department that have been mentioned and been concluded have found no wrongdoing or cause for disciplinary action.
Tarpon Springs residents should ask themselves who is more believable: a suspect with a previous history of drug arrests making a claim of "planted evidence," or a policeman who puts his life on the line every day when he comes to work?
Just because there is an investigation does not mean there is any guilt. Until there is indisputable evidence presented to me that the Tarpon Springs Police Department has broken the law, I will continue to give them my loyalty, my trust and my full support. I ask all citizens of Tarpon Springs to do the same.
Do not let an unproven allegation against our police officers change your perception of the very people who protect our lives, our families and our property. Tarpon Springs has relatively little crime and our Police Department is the main reason I feel very safe living in this great town.
-- Peter Nehr, Tarpon Springs city commissioner
Sheriff's Office engages "smear campaigns'
Re: FDLE's Tarpon inquiry fans out, story, June 24.
I have been a resident of Tarpon Springs since 1990 and was a city commissioner here for nine years. I have seen it all and have had to make some tough decisions on a variety of issues involving our wonderful community.
I was on the board of commissioners when we asked the residents to approve a charter revision that required the residents' approval to make any changes to our Police Department. I, for one (and I am sure I am not alone), have a great deal of respect for the men and women who serve our community as law enforcement officers.
The Sheriff's Office has been trying for a number of years to get its hands on Tarpon Springs. The latest batch of "smear campaigns" is just another tactic being used to further their cause.
As long as I am a resident of this community, I will fight to keep the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office from gaining control. Tarpon Springs has benefited greatly from having Mark LeCouris as police chief. It is because of his leadership and his strong belief in community policing that the Tarpon Springs Police Department has reduced drug trafficking in the Union Academy neighborhood.
I find it ironic that the accusations being made against the department are by known drug users and dealers. Since when do we value their word over the word of sworn officers?
I have unending faith in our Police Department. I have seen what positive things they have done for Tarpon Springs - things that the Sheriff's Office could not do for our residents. My hat is off to our Tarpon Springs Police Department and the men and women who help to make Tarpon Springs a safe community.
-- Cindy Sanner, Tarpon Springs
Yellow lights meant to slow motorists
Re: Traffic laws don't protect law-abiding motorists, letter, June 16.
I agree with the letter writer that traffic laws don't protect law-abiding motorists.
My 50-year-old daughter and two grandchildren escaped injuries when they were hit by two young men who, in our opinion, ran a red light. My daughter had pulled under the green light to make her left turn when she noticed oncoming cars had stopped for the yellow light. But way back in the outside lane, she saw this truck trying to make the light. As she made her left turn, he hit her on the back passenger side. On the yellow, he "punched it" and probably ran a red light. The other car had already stopped at the light when he came flying through it.
My point is, the law should really crack down on running a yellow light. My daughter got the $80 ticket. They said he had the right of way, but he wasn't charged for not stopping at the yellow light. There would be fewer accidents if motorists would stop.
-- Mary Vickers, Clearwater
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