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© St. Petersburg Times, published April 26, 2001
Re: Sheriff's decision could weaken abuse protection, April 22 C.T. Bowen column.
Editor: I have an opposing viewpoint to your column. My views are based on my 36 years in law enforcement in a major city. To take away any emotion from this story, I would like to point out to you that law enforcement did not cause the death of Barbara Honeyman. Blame can be placed in the judicial process that takes place after the arrest of the suspect. Without checking any records, I can assure you that suspected abusers do not go to jail but are referred to social services.
I would like to explain how an arrest is made in a domestic violence situation. Officers are sent to the scene of a possible domestic abuse situation. On arrival they enter the residence after proper security measures are taken in case weapons are involved.
They make quick observations regarding the situation such as injuries involved, damage that may have been caused during the incident and then separate the individuals if the suspect is still present. If the officers deem that a crime was committed after viewing any injuries, the suspect is arrested. The victim may choose or decline medical treatment, but if the injuries are serious, the officers use their skills to persuade the victim to go for treatment.
The victim is then asked to appear at the prosecutor's office to file a complaint against the abuser. The case is now in the hands of that office, with the arresting officer there to document what he had seen and heard. If the victim declines to prosecute, then some of the blame for future incidents belong to her. I will also add that if the suspect has left the scene, follow-up will be done by the officers. If the victim fears for her safety overnight, the officers will arrange with a social agency that will provide shelter.
Your editorial did not tell us what the domestic abuse detectives do that the street officers did not do. Does the NOW organization feel that street officers do not have empathy for the victims? Any chief or sheriff is hired to do what he feels is proper for his agency. Outside organizations can make suggestions, but they should not be permitted to set the agenda for the police agency.
-- Van E. Vergetis, Holiday
Editor: The proposal to pump wastewater into the aquifer and recover it when the need occurs next time seems like passing the buck to me. Why not process it first and dump it in the gulf like we do with the rest of our effluent water? If we need more water from the aquifer, let's use what is flowing directly in the bay now at Weeki Wachee and the many other springs along the coast? Could it be the environmentalists won't let the substitutions be made because the treated water isn't pure enough for the fish, but the public health department has different standards?
Perhaps I'm missing something. Other than the water that is bottled and sold out of state as "pure spring water" or in the form of orange juice, doesn't all water return to the gulf? True, some of that evaporates but with the lake empty and swamps dry, that has to be small.
With that in mind, why can't we use the spring water from Weeki Wachee and the many other springs along the coast and return our treated wastewater to the gulf?
-- R.H. Proctor, Port Richey
Editor: As an observer of the passing parade of automobile drivers who frequent the various malls, supermarkets and flea markets, it is indeed safe to say that the great majority of car owners do not possess a sticker signifying the driver as handicapped in some form and, thus, is entitled to park his or her car in an area reserved for such vehicles.
For example: When visiting the Gulf View Mall in Port Richey, some drivers try to park as close to the store of their choosing as possible. And why not? Even those drivers who are not handicapped would prefer a short walk. Surely, most drivers do not risk a fine for parking their vehicle in an area reserved for people with a handicap.
And yet, how many car owners are aware of what the penalty is for parking in restricted space? Does it matter if the driver parked his or her car for just a minute or two while a bill was paid in the mall store, or perhaps an article was being picked up? Is there an excuse for the driver to flout the rule which forbids anyone to park in a handicapped zone without such a sticker from the motor vehicle office?
Of course not. The question is: When is enough, enough?
The readers of this sour-grapes letter will probably say, too bad that you learned your lesson the hard way. How true. Yes, indeed, folks. This letter writer paid $261 as a fine when paying a bill at Montgomery Ward.
Maybe my thinking is all wrong. Would you object if the penalty was $300 or $500 or a $1,000? Is the sky the limit?
-- Howard J. Spodick, Hudson
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