Pasco: Today's Letters: Minor offenses run up jail tab

It appears the overcrowding at the Pasco County jail is the direct result of the arrest policy of the Sheriff's Office and the jail staff's inability to process out inmates in a timely fashion.

I don't think shipping them elsewhere is the answer at a cost of $5,200 a day, based on 100 inmates to be transferred.

Now that Sheriff Bob White has launched a Web site, the public is free to see the recent arrests and offenders in custody. Anyone that would view this Web site would see many of the arrests are unnecessary and costly to the taxpayers.

Consider the paperwork, housing, feeding, transport time of the deputy and the release procedures are a waste of man hours and taxpayer money.

Some of the arrests are as simple as failure to notify motor vehicle officials of an address change within 20 days. How about, "registration expired four months" or "driving while suspended or revoked with knowledge"?

These obviously are violations of Florida statutes, but should they be an offense warranting an arrest?

The list of minor charges goes on and on. Of course, we as taxpayers want our sheriff's department to protect and serve our community, however, we don't need to expand the jail at a cost of millions of dollars to house short-term, misdemeanor offenders.

Why can't some of these offenders be released and, in the event they fail to appear in court, issue a bench warrant and then take them into custody with a second charge of failure to appear?

There apparently also is a lot of work involved in releasing an inmate, as it takes six to 10 hours to process out after an offender posts bail. That is too many personnel hours for minor charges.

Perhaps rethinking policies governing offenses warranting arrests might reduce the population of the jail, reduce personnel hours at the jail and save money for the already overburdened taxpayers.'

Pinellas County is releasing nonviolent misdemeanor offenders to reduce its jail population instead of relocating them at taxpayer expense.

A 16-year-old victim of bullying in school is suspended and might be expelled for venting his frustration with a threatening note. How many more mass murders will it take to persuade school officials to face and act upon the problem of classroom bullies?

Apparently principal Rick Mellin and assistant principal Joanne Glenn haven't yet learned anything from Columbine, etc.

It was a cause of concern when I read about the car break-ins including a sheriff's cruiser.

I feel these cars should not be brought home for two reasons: They include weapons and computers with privileged information and the vehicle could be used for the next shift of deputies rather than have to purchase a car for every officer.

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Comments on this article

by Marsha	05/09/07 06:22 PM
When a MISDEMEANOR Probation Dept violates those who are complying with their probation terms, a judge like Webb that allow these foolish violations to be heard, ignore the proven facts, insist on jail time, you have the reason for jail OVERCROWDING

by tj	04/28/07 04:12 PM
"Not my child, not my child!"..over and over parents appeal the suspensions that are doled out. Walk a day in our shoes, as a principal as a teacher, and then see how our hands are tied by the helicopter parents, whose children can do no wrong.

by Dan G.	04/28/07 11:57 AM
I LOVED MY JOB WORKING IN THE JAIL. AFTER SEEING THE SHERIFF AND JUDGES CHANGE THEIR POLICY ON WHO STAYS IN JAIL, PRIOR TO ELECTION TIME OR BUDGET TIME DISTURBED ME. OUR JIL SYSTEM IS A MONEY MAKER AND SOURCE OF POWER FOR OUR LOCAL OFFICALS!THATS IT!

by Rob	04/28/07 05:19 AM
The saddest thisng is many of us work darn hard to make a difference in people's lives and many of our citizens won't support our efforts. We still get viewed as less than worthy of appreciation and respect for what good we do.

by RJ5	04/27/07 08:52 PM
I AM 10-13 - NYPD WOKED 26 YRS. I KKNOW ABOUT THE POLICE RISKS. IF IT IS WRITTEN IN POLICY, THEN "THE BOSS" NEEDS TO INSTRUCT HIS OFFICERS AS TO WHEN AND WHY ETC ETC ETC. ANYONE THAT BELIEVES ARREST FOR MINOR MISDEMEANORS IS NECESSARY IS A FOOL.

by Frank	04/27/07 08:16 PM
To RJ5, police are allowed to do that, it is written into the policy. When you have a job where you may get killed any day for just working, a take home car really is a small perk for officers? You can have a car but you may get killed, gee thanks.

by RJ5	04/27/07 04:38 PM
I CAN'T COUNT THE TIMES I HAVE SEEN THE DEPUTIES, USING THE TAXPAYERS CARS FOR PERSONAL USE. I DOUBT GOING TO A NAIL/BEAUTY SALON, IS POLICE BUSINESS. OR LOADING YOUR KIDS, AND GROCERIES INTO AN OFFICIAL VEHICLE IS POLICE BUSINESS EITHER

by Dan	04/27/07 03:41 PM
By the way, there have been studies that show it is more cost effective to allow cops to take their cars home. Cars last longer, are better taken care of and don't break down as often. Should we leave our cars unattended at the office instead?

by Dan	04/27/07 03:34 PM
Mike, should I stop by a plumber's house to report a problem at 11 PM just b/c he has a van in front of his house that says he is a plumber? How about calling someone who is actually working at that moment and let the rest of us enjoy some down time.

by reggie	04/27/07 03:10 PM
I agree with Mike about bullies maybe if these laws were implace when I was a kid I wouldn't have been 1. Thats right I was 1 and their is not a day that goes by I don't regret it. I apoligize for what I was like and I always try to be nice to people

by mike	04/27/07 02:47 PM
truth,what is wrong with you #1 insulting someone in writing only proves you as a coward,with little to no education. I don't care if they bring home their cruisers or not. I drive to work every day,so they 2 could do the same and pick up cruiser.

by leigh	04/27/07 09:11 AM
It amazes me how much we continue to tolerate the bullies, how many chances they get. Then when the victim finally decides to take control he is the one who gets punished. The bullies are the 1st one to tell, the victims know nothing will happen

by mike	04/27/07 09:07 AM
school bullies should be brought up on charges..Its simple if you threaten ,hit ,push a student you get arrested. Harrass a student 1ST time a warning,2ND syspention and the law must be notified so they can make a report.

by Mike	04/27/07 03:53 AM
They should pay taxes on the value of the take home cars. They get mad if you stop by a house with a patrol car in the driveway after 11AM to report a crime. Why have the car if you wont take my report? You are on duty 24/7!