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Violent drunks must be subdued

By (Letters)
Published June 7, 2006

Re: Police must exercise more caution when using Tasers, letter, May 25.

Letter writer Margery West asks the Clearwater police, "What message are you sending to the public?"

The answer is, if you come to Clearwater Beach for an "afternoon/evening of drinking," get blind drunk, wander into a motel in a "lost stupor," damage private property, become violent and aggressive, and challenge the police to a fight, you're going down.

This was a sad and regrettable episode, but certainly not representative of a police department that doesn't know how to handle harmless tipsy tourists "with care and safety."

Ms. West claims that the victim "took every responsibility," but I submit that his actions represent a total abdication of responsibility.

I would also point out that these kinds of tragedies somehow seem to happen mostly to people who share Ms. West's opinion that drinking is a sport and that getting incoherently intoxicated is just "having fun at our bars and restaurants."

Paramedics can't shun mentally ill

Re: Ex-paramedic defends decision to ignore call, story, May 25.

It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to determine that the woman in question was suffering from a form of mental illness, after claiming to have been raped by the president and stating to paramedic Trevor Murray that she couldn't go to Morton Plant Hospital because a judge was waiting to attack her.

I fail to see what Murray found to be scary when interacting with the woman. Her behavior may have been unusual and disturbing, but definitely not scary. From what I have read about this unidentified woman, who has been referred to as a "frequent flier" by the Clearwater firefighters - for maybe calling once too often - she is most likely harmless. Her problem appears to be more psychiatric in nature.

As a professional, Murray had no right to dismiss the woman's call for help. It is not up to Murray or any other paramedic to determine whether this woman was worthy of their service. As human beings, we are all worthy. Even though the woman was not in any physical distress, she was obviously in a state of confusion, and a psychiatric evaluation may have led to a diagnosis.

Clearing his family's name is not what I consider to be a valid reason for Murray to get his paramedic license back, as well as being reinstated at his job. As far as I am concerned, Murray is just lucky to be teaching paramedics courses at Hillsborough Community College. While his skills as a paramedic may be excellent in emergency situations, Murray's attitude and principles leave a lot to be desired.

Kitten abuse warrants punishment

Re: Police: Man threw kitten from car, story, May 28.

I would like to publicly thank the Tarpon Springs police for again coming to the plate in the arrest of Eddie Ray Fisher for animal abuse. Folks who blatantly commit such violent and unprovoked attacks on animals need to know that our community will not and should not tolerate this type of behavior. It is a known fact that animal abuse can and will lead to the abuse of humans, mainly seniors and children who also cannot protect themselves.

The alleged crime was tossing a 3-week-old kitty out the window of a moving car. What motivates someone to commit this sort of act? I wish I had the answer.

At least the kitty is recovering nicely. The alleged suspect was charged with a third-degree felony, which, I believe is the strongest charge available for animal abuse. I can only hope that if convicted, this person receives the stiffest sentence available.

This case is just one of many reasons that I feel having our own Police Department is so important.

[Last modified June 7, 2006, 02:00:17]