Letters to the Editors

Sheriff could save Largo money without any sacrifice in service

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 25, 2000

Re: Sheriff's comments rankle Largo manager, June 9 story.

As a former Largo police Explorer, Largo police dispatcher, and Pinellas County sheriff's deputy, I find it extremely disturbing that the Largo City Commission and city manager would flippantly dismiss the idea of contracting with the Pinellas County sheriff for law enforcement services in the city.

I read a statement by City Manager Steven Stanton criticizing Sheriff Everett Rice for offering to provide law enforcement services for Largo's residents. The Largo commissioners and city manager should embrace the idea of saving the residents of Largo more than $4-million per year. That money could be either spent on worthwhile projects or returned to the Largo taxpayers.

Having worked for both law enforcement agencies, I personally believe that the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is the premier law enforcement agency in this county. The cities of Seminole, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar and South Pasadena have contracted with the sheriff for many years and the residents of those cities are better off because of it.

More recently, several other cities, including Dunedin and Indian Rocks Beach, have contracted with the sheriff for law enforcement services. This is an extremely efficient way for cities in this county to provide top-notch law enforcement services for their residents at an affordable price.

I believe that the reluctance by the Largo City Commission and city manager to enter into a contract with the Pinellas County sheriff is due to their fear that they will lose control over the law enforcement activities of their officers.

The statements I have read regarding their fears about the well-being of the Largo police officers are disingenuous. The Largo officers would have many more opportunities for transfer and advancement than they have now. The Largo City Commission and city manager should not let their personal desires to maintain control over the police prevent them from saving the residents of Largo millions of dollars in taxes each year while receiving the best law enforcement services this county has to offer.
-- Scott P. Swope, Clearwater

Law should be for everyone, even police officers

Maybe it is time for the sheriff to take over the job of Largo's Police Department.

We've had one police chief who tried to cover up his young son's mistake by not logging evidence. Now the officers that had improper conduct with the young Explorers might get a reprimand! Unbelievable!

I thought molestation was molestation. Maybe the buddy system isn't such a good idea in my city.

The law should be for everyone.
-- Jacquie Alexander, Largo

Largo provides quality services without help from sheriff

So, Sheriff Rice, which law enforcement agency do you recommend to take over the Manatee County Sheriff's Office for its problems with the Delta Squad?

And, which law enforcement agency do you suggest supersede the New York Police Department as a response to the recent transgressions of its officers?

And, which police agency do you feel should take over the Los Angeles Police Department for all of the wrongdoings by its officers?

And who will you have take over the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office when your deputies mess up? They will mess up, because after all, they are human, too.

It should be known by readers of this paper that the Largo Police Department may have had some problems relating to morale and the Explorer situation. Even so, I believe the quality of service delivered to residents of Largo is among the best in Florida. It would not surprise me if many, many of those residents agree with me. I strongly doubt that you could improve the situation, because I believe you've got your hands full with what you've already got.
-- Michael Kirkpatrick, Largo

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