Campaign issues

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 22, 2000

Traffic control

McCONNELL: Thinks efforts need to be spread equally countywide, not just in Spring Hill. Would train all deputies on how to make stops so they could do so in their down time.

NUGENT: Wants to use computer analysis of accidents to target increased coverage; would look into putting cameras at stop lights.

ROBINSON: Would lobby the Legislature for additional Florida Highway Patrol troopers.

Growth

McCONNELL: Would not make any major changes in the budget, but would look at the 12-hour-shift schedule to see if it creates too much costly overtime.

NUGENT: Would not make any major changes in the budget, but would look for more public-private partnerships with businesses to raise money for new programs.

ROBINSON: Would review the entire current budget, which he says is too vague in its current form to be analyzed for costs and includes too many hidden expenditures.

Drugs

McCONNELL: Would increase drug awareness programs for children and parents.

NUGENT: Would continue what he says are the current successful vice narcotics efforts.

ROBINSON: Would encourage federal prosecution of those arrested to get tougher sentences.

Community outreach/crime prevention

McCONNELL: Would increase the staffing of the crime prevention team and make public outreach a major priority in his administration. Says current administration's approach is inadequate.

NUGENT: Would continue current outreach programs such as the Citizens Academy. Would look to increase programs for the young and elderly and establish victim-witness counselors.

ROBINSON: Would train deputies on handling those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, who are often crime victims and sometimes unwittingly commit crimes, such as shoplifting or battery.

Internal personnel issues

McCONNELL: Would create three divisions within the agency, instead of two. Would eliminate certain "unnecessary" upper management positions, including Nugent's. Would create a promotion system that would allow employees to advance within their job title.

NUGENT: Would maintain current policies, which he says set the standard for fair and ethical hiring and promotion.

ROBINSON: Would put almost all employees into a civil service plan. Would revamp promotion system, which he says is unfair and political, and bring in people from outside the agency to evaluate oral exams.

Juvenile crime

McCONNELL: Would ensure that an adult is present during all juvenile interviews. Would increase outreach efforts and programs with school resource officers. Would increase communications with parents and the Parent-Teacher Association.

NUGENT: Would continue current juvenile interview policies, under which parents are contacted as soon as a juvenile becomes a suspect, but not necessarily before. Would look into having week-long intervention camps for troubled youths.

ROBINSON: Would create a police athletic league to give children and teens something to do. Would appoint family counselors to coach parents on how to deal with family issues. Would continue current juvenile interview policies.

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