Letters to the Editors

Even Police Department isn't safe

Editor: I am a police officer for the city of Port Richey. On the evening of March 17, (St. Patrick's Day) at approximately 6:30 p.m., my wife, Kristen Cabiness, was on the way from our home to pick up our daughter from a dance class in the area of Ridge Road and Regency Park Boulevard.

While on the way, my wife was followed by two females in a blue Pontiac Grand Am south on Little Road. As my wife reached the intersection of Little and Ridge roads, the two females threw a bottle at her car. My wife continued west on Ridge Road attempting to elude the other car. At two different red traffic signals, my wife stopped and noticed that the two females in the other car had gotten out of their vehicle and were running toward her car. My wife was forced to run two red lights attempting to elude these individuals.

Knowing that I was working at the time, and assuming that the Port Richey Police Department would be a safe haven, my wife drove straight to the Port Richey Police Department. She pulled into the parking lot and got out of her car by the long concrete walkway into the police department lobby.

As my wife got out of her car, the other car pulled in right behind her. The two young girls got out of their car and proceeded to beat up my wife right on the walkway into the Police Department.

After inflicting several injuries and tearing out large amounts of my wife's hair, these two individuals got back into their car and drove away.

Notwithstanding the injuries that my wife sustained, I am absolutely outraged that this happened in our own Police Department's parking lot. I was actually embarrassed for the first time since I have been employed here.

Why weren't the video cameras ever installed that were supposed to monitor the external and internal areas of the Police Department? The wires for the video cameras have been hanging out of the gaping hole in the wall in the dispatch area ever since the building was built, but we still have no cameras. Having the cameras in place and operational would have allowed the dispatcher to see what was happening in the parking lot on the night that my wife was battered, and thus alerted an officer to respond to the Police Department much sooner.

Why aren't there any signs prominently displayed to alert onlookers that this building is actually a Police Department? Had there been a lit sign out front and/or in the rear that clearly showed that this is a Police Department, I feel that the people in the car following my wife would have been deterred and kept driving.

If this had happened to the spouse of any one of the council members, the city attorney, city manager, or any other prominent city employee, I can assure you that this problem would have been addressed immediately and that there would have at least been an apology made. To date, neither has happened.

People come to the Police Department for help. The Police Department is supposed to be the safest place in the city. Please let it be so. Take the necessary measures to provide proper lighting, video surveillance, and signs. The next time it might happen to someone that you do care about.
-- Officer Bill Cabiness, Port Richey Police

Beacon Woods needs more options

Editor: I have been a Beacon Woods resident since 1986 and have seen many lovely changes to our community.

I am however, concerned that Wal-Mart is offering options to residents in regard to it moving to the vacant property next door to Beacon Woods at Bayonet Point Mall.

One option, I understand that residents applauded would be to close Beacon Woods Drive.

In my opinion, respectfully, it would be a disaster for our other entrances, especially Majestic Boulevard. North of State Road 52 on U.S. 19 is known as the corridor of death. I am sure Beacon Woods residents would not want to have a sequel for SR 52 to U.S. 19! It could very easily happen.

It might be an interesting idea to have an electric gate on Beacon Woods Drive if the county would agree. The gate would possibly slow down traffic and cut through traffic, while still enabling Beaon Woods residents access to U.S. 19. I am sure there must be other suggestions.

I also would not like to see Beacon Woods Drive close because it would harder to get to our local Kmart. Kmart has provided many years of good service to our community, we should all support it.

Please be careful, Beacon Woods. What we wish for is not always the solution. I haven't heard a good one yet from Wal-Mart.
-- Barbara Farrell, Bayonet Point

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