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Water plant gets police guard after the attacks
By MICHAEL SANDLER
© St. Petersburg Times, TAMPA -- Officer Jerry Doherty would normally spend an afternoon shift patroling New Tampa in his car. But last Friday, Doherty was parked in his marked Tampa police car near the Morris Bridge Treatment Plant. He had an important assignment. New Tampa depends on the city facility for its water, and in the wrong hands, the treatment plant could become a dangerous place. "Because of the current situation, the police department wants an officer to stay by here, just in case of anticipated problems," said Doherty. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., the public has been inundated with diabolical theories and plots involving future targets. Chemical agents distributed by air. Biological weapons wading in the water. Hazardous materials traveling on trucks converted into bombs. Authorities are not inclined to wait for the next shoe to drop. Police officers and sheriff's deputies have been pulled off patrol to guard select areas deemed possible targets of terrorist plots. "There are several key locations throughout the city that in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks Tampa Police Department are keeping a stepped up patrol and presence on," said Joe Durkin, a spokesman for Tampa police. "You don't want individuals to know where -- and not just extremists, but people that may be inclined to take advantage of the situation. You don't want to give them ideas." Lt. Rod Reder, a spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, said deputies have been handed a similar task. "We've got some areas that we have assessed as a potential target," Reder said. "Obviously we are not commenting on where and how many people, but yes, we've got some people assigned." One such place is the Morris Bridge Treatment Plant, where water from the Morris Bridge well field is treated for drinking. Most of the area's drinking water comes from the Hillsborough River, said Majorie Guillory, deputy director for Tampa's water department. But the well field is one of many other sources kept as backup supplies. To keep that safe, Tampa police have assigned officers from the two New Tampa squads watch in rotating two-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even Sgts. R.J. Reynolds and Jack Ragsdale, commanding officers for the troops, have taken a turn. They are not alone. "You wouldn't believe how many places (police are watching)," said Reynolds, who stopped by to check on Doherty. "A lot of these high-profile operations are hiring off-duty officers or private security." More officers on watch means fewer on the street. But Reynolds and Ragsdale say that's part of the job. "These are the times we are living in," said Ragsdale, "and we will do the best with what we've got." -- Michael Sandler can be reached at (813) 226-3472 or sandler@sptimes.com.
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