Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 10, 2001
Re: Complex unhappy with deputies, story, Sept. 24.
So, what's the problem? Blatant drug dealing and rampant crime are gone now. Is it that no matter how good some people have it, they must continue to complain?
A deputy wanted to search a 15-year-old and the juvenile refused. The comment was made that he didn't have any drugs. How did the deputy know that? How did the deputy know whether or not the teen was carrying a concealed weapon if he didn't search him? Any normal law enforcement officer would do a search, if for no other reason than to protect himself or herself from the unknown.
As far as deputies leaving community policing, they have a right to learn other facets of law enforcement, to better enable themselves to obtain promotions and better their lives. Isn't that what it is all about? Apparently, some people think that a deputy remains in one static position for 30 years, then retires.
I do not believe for one minute that those deputies are harassing anyone. They are afraid for their own lives, and in this day and age, who can blame them if they perform physical searches?
So, please be thankful for what you have, and stop complaining about isolated and irrelevant problems. If you have a problem, contact the Community Policing Unit of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, and give them a chance to correct the problem before blindsiding them in the newspaper.
-- Thomas G. Schollenberger, Largo
As horrific as the terrorist attack was on Sept. 11, let us put the fear of it into perspective with the terrorists among us every day, putting our lives and those of our families at risk: the drunken driver, the red light runner, the road rage driver, the carjacker, the mugger, the disgruntled worker with a gun killing innocent co-workers, the student with a gun at school seeking revenge, the arsonist who burns down the church or place of business.
So let us not be fearful or else the terrorists will have accomplished their mission. Let us evaluate our fears. What are they and where are they? And if you really have a fear of flying, don't drive on U.S. 19.
Let us mourn and cry, and then let us go on living. God bless America.
-- Robert L. Smalley, Clearwater
Re: Along the avenue, photo essay, Oct. 7.
It's interesting that the majority of people living on Greenwood Avenue in Clearwater who were interviewed are not thrilled with changing the road's name.
This just seems to be the typical bureaucracy side-step of trying to avoid the problems by using a little cosmetic work. "We can't give you a raise, but we'll change your title." "We aren't going to improve the neighborhood, but we'll change the name."
And why does the street have to be changed to Martin Luther King Jr.? Because this is mainly a black community? There are MLK streets all over. Let's use a little imagination. King may have been a great man, but he was not the only great black person in history. Why not Sojourner Truth Avenue or George Washington Carver Street?
-- Wanda Dow, Dunedin
The Clearwater City Commission is going to decide soon what to do with the roundabout. We think it should be replaced with a flagpole and a large American flag. Dancing water or Florida greenery could surround it. The size of the flag at Fort De Soto is very noticeable. That is what we would like to see as we approach Clearwater Beach.
We hope the City Commission will consider this suggestion.
-- Charles and Shirley Borcsane, Clearwater