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Community policing scrapped

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published December 19, 2006

Community policing a key to city success

I am horrified, shocked and so saddened by the decision to scrap the community policing program. I think one of the fundamental keys to the success St. Petersburg enjoys today in terms of quality of life in the neighborhoods and in the city as a whole, is community policing.

I personally was so impressed when I first had occasion to contact my community officer, and he already knew all the specifics of the situation I was calling about. He told me just what was going on to try to resolve the situation, and sure enough, within a short time, the situation was resolved.

There is the Police Department and there are the neighborhoods, but there is no partnership anymore. I can't believe a decision would be made to end this creative, amazing partnership that has been so central to the city's revitalization.

Unless we want to go backward, we need to reinstate St. Petersburg's admirable community policing program, as it forged an intimate partnership between the police and the neighborhoods that was instrumental in restoring our quality of life.

Edna Whisler, St. Petersburg

Ineffective program

Having been a law enforcement officer for 36 years, I would like to thank St. Petersburg police Chief Chuck Harmon for having the courage to discontinue the ineffective community policing program that is more public relations than a deterrence of crime. Having 41 police officers spreading goodwill in the neighborhoods and at the same time having a crime crisis in the area is not making proper use of police manpower.

The article stated that the community policing officers "broke" several high-profile cases because they knew the neighborhoods. I have a feeling that officers who patrol and respond to crimes in the area have more of an affect on crime in the community.

The times of having "beat" officers are over. High-crime areas must have officers who respond quickly and attempt to arrest the "thugs" who prey on the community. Chief Harmon has made a tough decision and I hope he sticks with it.

Van E. Vergetis, Holiday

Leaving a void

I am writing to express my disgust and disappointment at those responsible for disbanding the community police units. These units provided a continuous presence in our neighborhoods and a personal connection to the police force. Our neighborhood officer, Wes Callahan, did an exemplary job in responding to local complaints and I have no doubt that the other officers were also outstanding.

I do not believe that patrol officers will be able to fill the void left by the discontinuation of this program, as they are already spread too thin.

Jack Reeves, St. Petersburg

Children need help too

This article makes a very good point. Our state is shamefully remiss in our commitment to caring for the mentally ill. Services are underfunded in all areas related to social services and mental illness. For children, this is even more true than for adults. Perhaps because children do not usually commit dangerous or costly crimes, we don't pay as much attention to the lack of mental health services for them. However, mentally ill or traumatized children are the mentally ill, dangerous criminals of the future.

If our leaders could only think beyond their terms in office, perhaps we could develop a meaningful system of prevention. For a relatively small amount of money now, we could avoid spending the huge amounts of money required to house someone in prison for years. And we'd have safer communities for us all.

Marlene Bloom Rubin, Tampa

Paying for needed care

Who is responsible for mentally ill people being jailed instead of hospitalized? Our legislators who underfund necessary social services in our state, and the voters who put them in office are accountable. Tax cuts are service cuts.

Well-meaning people complain when children languish in DCF care, mentally ill patients are jailed, the number of homeless people increases and many go without medical care.

Stop giving tax breaks to the wealthy and big businesses! Floridians need the money for humane services.

Marylou Hess, Gulfport

Community policing is taking a new shape

Someone who just read the headline or first paragraph of this article regarding community policing may get the impression that community policing is being eliminated. The fact is, community policing in St. Petersburg is being expanded.

At this juncture, it is important for everyone to understand the enhancements being implemented to improve service to our community. I would like to let our community know that community policing in St. Petersburg will be practiced 24 hours a day and seven days a week by all department personnel. The former community police officers will remain in their neighborhoods and still provide service to those neighborhoods unless they choose to work another assignment. Everyone in the department will be given additional community policing training.

Concerns the neighborhoods have had about unreturned phone calls, officers doing other assignments and missed community meetings will be resolved. We will now assign specific community service officers to each police district whose sole responsibility will be to liaison with the community to address those concerns. District Community Service (telephone) Lines will be established where calls will be tracked, monitored and returned within 24 hours.

All community patrol officers, more than 200, will now be given time to address community issues around the clock anywhere in the city. Additional resources will be deployed to better address street-level drug sales and Internet-based crime such as identity theft and child pornography.

I understand how some people might have concerns about changing our community policing model, but I am confident these enhancements will better address our needs in St. Petersburg. I ask the community to keep an open mind as we move forward together, and we will keep you updated on our progress. I can assure you that community policing is alive and well in St. Petersburg, and I am fully committed to making our city and the St. Petersburg Police Department the best they can be.

Chuck Harmon, police chief, St. Petersburg

[Last modified December 19, 2006, 11:24:25]