Tuesday's Commission Mtg.

Meet all they want. It ain't happen'in. Maybe another year or 2. Just being realistic here. Trust me, I want it badly too.

So what was the outcome??

Sorry not to reply sooner. The Commission voted unanimously to receive the reply from the Sheriff's office and begin negotiations based on that proposal. It was really more of an update, rather than an action item and until the Sheriff's response comes back, there's not too much to talk about. What matters is how the city plans on meeting their pension cost obligation and the cost involved in closing the plan. The City Manager is charged with leading these talks and frankly, I don't have much confidence in his commitment to make this happen. I'm hoping a Commissioner, Mr. Vespo for example, will be involved directly and report back to the Commission for their final approval.

If anyone would like to talk to me directly and confidentially, please feel free to contact me. miramay@bellsouth.net or 602-8874
M.

It sounded to me that the CM did not want to do the deal this year and was using the budget as an excuse. He knows he will not be here next year so he wants to blow it off. I hope Vespo knows this so he can watch this guy. What do you think Mary?

It sounded to me that the CM did not want to do the deal this year and was using the budget as an excuse. He knows he will not be here next year so he wants to blow it off. I hope Vespo knows this so he can watch this guy. What do you think Mary?

For politicians, the merger is a political issue. For administrators, like the city manager, it’s an administrative issue, for finance directors, it’s a money issue, for employees, it’s a career issue and for the public it’s a public safety issue. That’s a bit oversimplified, and some people involved do care about more than their own particular dog in this hunt. But mostly, it’s true and explains what motivates the different players in this.

There was a meeting last evening at the Police Dept with residents from South J and K Street neighborhoods. Twenty-five or so residents, Commissioners Lowe, Jennings and Vespo were there along with Chief Smith, Lt. White and other officers. People spoke about specific properties in the area that were chronic problems, the recent homicide and street shootings and asked for help. Some of these residents were frightened to even leave their homes in the morning for work, much less try to organize crime walks. Overgrown alleys and abandoned houses were just some of the code issues they brought up. Many expressed reluctance to call the Police because they either didn’t want to be a bother, were afraid of retribution from criminals or weren’t sure what kind of incidents they should call and report – actual crimes or just suspicious persons.

The neighborhood association in that area has fallen into inactive status and there was some talk about reviving it, but again, many people were hesitant to make themselves a target (literally!). Other neighborhood associations were present at the meeting and offered to help get things started, like clean-ups and flyering door to door. The CRA will be asked to increase their overtime grants for patrols in the area and all the properties mentioned were put on a list for more frequent regular patrols and further investigation.

Several people spoke about increasing the resources for our PD by merging with PBSO and one taxpayer was adamant about paying more taxes to accommodate a sufficient police budget to address the problems. That same citizen offered $1000 towards a street camera near his property.
One citizen took an application for COP.

What do I think? I heard all the same fear and outrage when the little girl was raped and dumped in the garbage two years ago, when the three homicides were committed in January, when the whacko with the machete nearly decapitated a man in February, when the guy filling his tank was shot at the station on Federal, and when the ATM customer was robbed at gunpoint in April. There were lots of public meetings in lots of neighborhoods from downtown to the Osbourne gym. Unfortunately, the criminals didn’t come to share their views on the matter.

Either public safety is a priority and it’s treated AND FUNDED as a priority or it isn’t a priority at all and we can spare ourselves the bother of pretending that it is. I think if the city of Lake Worth cannot or will not fund the level of service the taxpayers demand, then for heaven’s sake let’s Go Green.

M.

We should rename this site, maryaffairs.com

Actually, that's not a bad idea. So far I've read more facts than rumors when Mary posts. I have nothing, but praises for someone that is willing to keep us informed about the future of our police department. And she's just a citizen.

Thanks again Mary

I am just a citizen and there's a lot I don't know so please forgive how stupid these questions may seem.

I’m looking at the spreadsheets the city provided to the Sheriff’s office and I have a few questions maybe some of you can answer for me. All these spreadsheets are in the back-up material from the May 6th Commission meeting.

The dept. budget shows $150,000 for uniforms. The budget worksheets show clothing allowance with a total of $99,300 including vacancies and all employees. What exactly does clothing allowance cover? Is this for cleaning uniforms or replacing worn-out items? How is it paid? Do you buy all your own uniforms and get reimbursed through the clothing allowance or does the dept. provide the uniforms at no charge to the individual employee? I’m asking because there’s a $50,000 difference between what’s on the budget and the worksheets.

The clothing allowance for Lieutenants and above is $900 and for everyone else (civilians, dispatchers, officers and Sergeants it’s $775. My first reaction is that officers on the streets would go through uniforms more than civilian employees or dispatchers, but I don’t know and that’s why I’m asking.

I apologize if these questions seem intrusive but I like first hand information. Thank you in advance for your patience with my inquiries and if anyone from PBSO who reads this would care to share what those policies are, I would appreciate that information too.

I also found it interesting that the cost for vacant positions is included in these numbers that were sent to PBSO. I’m wondering if that means the city would expect the Sheriff’s office to fill these positions. I count 66 sworn officers on the roster (not counting sergeants and above) and I’m told that on any given shift we have 5-7 officers on the streets. That’s 15-21 officers per day. Would having those vacant positions filled mean more officers on the street?

Thank you.
M.

Clothing allowance is for the care and maintenance of uniform/clothing/boots/etc.
Some things are supplied like uniforms, some things are not like boots, undershirts, other gear.
Those getting $775 bargained for a lower allowance to get a higher pay scale for some of those in their contract.
The vacancy and officer on the street formula can be complex depending on where those officers are deployed, vacations, sick leave, days off. If there is a vacancy there is no expenditure. If it is filled, then you pay for it.

Don't anyone take this the wrong way. I don't want to see anyone lose anything in this deal. But if the position is already vacant, and the Sheriffs office with different shifts etc. can still do the job, then why count these vacant positions in the spreadsheets. When you include these vacant positions, positions which have not been filed in years in the equation, it raises the final number up, which would be the final price. Is this another way to try to throw a monkey wrench in the works. I believe the Sheriff needs accurate figures, of how many people are currently employed by LW PD, dispatchers, non sworn, and sworn including SGt's and Lt's. Then balance this with what the City wants as far as staffing, and work out a contract. Don't throw phantom positions in the mix, that would not have been filled anyway due to budget constraints. Thats just my take on the matter. Attack away guys.