Today's Letters: St. Petersburg is a safe city
Letters to the EditorPublished January 3, 2008
Both Mayor Rick Baker and I recognize that the most important aspect of any local government is public safety. The safety and security of our citizens and visitors in St. Petersburg are the essential mission for me and all the men and women of the St. Petersburg Police Department. In fact, all of us who wear a badge have a sworn duty to protect our citizens against crime and disorder. Our Police Department is staffed by professionals who have been provided with much training and guided by policies that are "best practices" as defined by our dual accreditation from the national and state levels. For the first time in years, we have remained fully staffed in our patrol districts and are prepared to respond to any emergency that occurs in our city.
St. Petersburg is a safe city, but we are not immune from those who commit criminal acts. For those who violate the law, we are committed to apprehending them and seeing that justice is done for the victim. Despite a significant increase in activity throughout our city during recent years, crime in St. Petersburg is on a downward trend, and we will continue to work hard as a Police Department and community to reduce it further. Total crime and violent crime in St. Petersburg have steadily decreased over recent years. There has been an 11.8 percent decrease in total reported violent crime year-to-date since 2001. With the exception of 2002, it has shown a decrease each year since 2001 (through 2006). Total reported index crime in St. Petersburg has also shown an overall decline since 2001. Although 2007 figures have not yet been tabulated, overall crime will likely drop another 5 percent or more, with violent crime remaining at about the same level as in 2006. However, our 2006 violent crime figures were down 4.7 percent from 2005. In contrast, the FBI's Uniform Crime Report indicates an average violent crime increase of 3.2 percent for cities our size from 2005 to 2006.
Annually in St. Petersburg, there are literally hundreds of events throughout the city. Our downtown area has many of the venues that host these events, including BayWalk. Almost all of these events go as planned. Every time there is a significant planned (or unplanned) event in the city, the Police Department thoroughly reviews the event. This gives us the opportunity to evaluate, critique and implement changes if necessary.
Such was the case for BayWalk on Christmas Day. A year earlier, we learned there were many young people who went to the movies on Christmas Day at BayWalk. Although no specific problem arose, we worked with the management at BayWalk and Muvico and doubled the number of officers working the event for this year based on attendance figures from the year before. We will now critique this year's activity, make adjustments for upcoming events, while aggressively pursuing those few who acted unlawfully that day. The community can best help by providing safe alternatives for our kids, being responsible parents, providing adult supervision, reporting crimes and being willing to get involved.
The success of BayWalk and other major downtown attractors within a thriving downtown area is of the utmost importance. While concerned for the entire community's safety and well-being, the mayor and I both recognize the significance of a safe, prosperous downtown to both our residents and visitors to our beautiful, vibrant city.
Charles "Chuck" Harmon, chief of police, St. Petersburg
The campaign marathon
The other morning I watched yet another political show with yet another set of interviews with candidates from both sides. Good guys. Very convincing. Very passionate. I couldn't help but think about how exhausted they must be. What a daunting and demanding process the campaign for president has become. They've been at it for the better part of a year, under a microscope, making multiple stops daily - no time off for anything. They can't misspeak or have a bad day, or show anything but confident enthusiasm. They can't get sick; it shows weakness. They better have the "A" game going every moment, 24/7. How do you maintain that?
The New Hampshire primary is next Tuesday. After that, a bunch of them may drop out and start jockeying for the vice presidential slot on the ticket. Then there will be more campaigning till the parties pick their tickets at their conventions. Then there'll be even more campaigning. Finally we'll have the presidential election in November.
It is a long, torturous and exhausting process. The good news is that in less than a year it will be over and we will be getting new management in Washington, D.C., whichever side wins. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, finally. Happy New Year!
Jeff Cutting, Brandon
Reality check needed
Where does this optimism come from on the part of some of our presidential candidates? We keep hearing the country is in fine financial shape, but we have a $9-trillion national debt. The housing market for all practical purposes is about to bottom out. Yet we are still subsidizing giant corporations. The savings rate has reached the minus category and we have still not addressed outsourcing and the loss of our manufacturing base.
Our candidates should get their eyes and ears checked. Most are obsessed with keeping the tax structure the way it is. Hedge fund managers making millions, even billions, are in the 15 percent tax category, while some middle class earners are in the 25 percent rate. How dumb do they think voters are?
Jack Levine, Palm Harbor
Know your candidates Jan. 2
Paul deserves a mention
In this chart, there are five Republicans mentioned, but strangely not Dr. Ron Paul.
I guess it was just a few months ago that you had an article about him on the front page of the St. Petersburg Times. If you can put him on the front page, then why can't you mention him in this chart?
I just wanted to inform you that this isn't the way the media are supposed to be. You are supposed to honestly inform the populace.
Ron Paul is supported enough to be mentioned. He raised more than any candidate anywhere in one day! Did you somehow miss that? His signs are everywhere! Did you somehow miss that? He has spread to the very roots of society, but you remain silent.
Why do you have the job that you do?
Justine Hilton, Clearwater
Duncan left out his role in deal Dec. 29
It's a simple task
So Pinellas County Commission Chairman Ronnie Duncan has a bad memory when it comes to the Jim Smith land deal. His excuse: "I'm not trained to be on the witness stand."
I didn't realize you had to be trained. I thought it was simple: Just tell the truth.
R.O. Plummer, Palm Harbor
Suffering at the circus
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is again returning to the area. Unlike other circuses such as the popular Cirque du Soleil which do not exploit animals, Ringling has a horrible history in regard to animal welfare. Perhaps it is not surprising that Ringling has struggled, having to cancel shows and curtail performances of late as audiences have learned the truth about how it treats its animal "performers." Before attending the circus, research the history of Ringling and the captive animals they use.
Joseph Patner, St. Pete Beach
The ripple effect of transformation Dec. 31, Floridian story
A story of courage
I was moved by your story about Susan Stanton, the former Largo city manager who was fired for announcing her plan to attain her true sexual identity as a woman. I so admire the courage of people such as Susan, who are willing to risk loss of social and professional status to secure true selfhood.
I was awed by the maturity, sensitivity and common sense of Susan's 14-year-old son in accepting his father's need for true sexual identity. How sad that the Largo City Commission had none of the insight that this boy has developed. Instead, these shameful officials hid behind cowardice in trumping up rationalizations for their bigotry. History will judge them the way it does other public officials of the South who denied basic human rights to women, Jews and people of color.
Thomas K. Zander, licensed psychologist, Indian Rocks Beach
Steve/Susan Stanton
We've heard too much
Enough already!
I think we've all had enough of the Stanton issue. He made his choice, and he will learn to live with it, right or wrong. We really don't want to hear about all her problems.
We are trying to forget the Stanton mess. It was not a pretty time. Why do you keep bringing it up? As I said: Enough already.
C. VanWuyckhuyse, Clearwater