Keep those letters, e-mails and phone calls coming to me, the Village Council, and Mr. Lombardi concerning mismanagement of the Police Department. It is starting to work. Residents, especially those who have been victimized, have started to realize that all is not well within the administration and its handling of our Police resources. In typical fashion, the Village Manager has reacted and has pulled out the biggest band-aids that he can find to dress the wound.

In my neighborhood recently, on the north end of town, I have seen more patrol cars and police than I have seen for two years. I have learned that heavy overtime assignments have been given to keep more police officers on the road. I am hoping that the same coverage is taking place all over town and not just where I live or where the Mayor lives.

My efforts at focusing on the Police Department problems, along with several irate citizens, including victims, have drawn attention to recent crime incidents and the lack of police coverage. Interestingly enough, post cards have now been sent out by the Village Administration to certain areas of town. These cards state "Pinecrest Police Presence Intensifies During Holidays". This is good, but this is not enough. POLICE PRESENCE NEEDS TO BE INTENSIFIED YEAR AROUND. I am not interested in holiday band-aids by a Village Manager who waits to deal with the situation until after there is a public clamor and there is greater scrutiny to what he has been doing with the Police Department. We need more trained officers and more equipment which can be used by officers in a condition which can insure there safety and the safety of our residents. We need an administration which is totally supportive throughout the ranks, instead of one which covers up its potential embarrassments and causes fear and distrust.

I received an incredible amount of input from residents and from Police, the vast majority of whom I believe want nothing more than to be able to do the best they can in their jobs in a supportive working environment. The only negative comments about this effort have come from some fellow Council Members. These are the same people who Mr. Lombardi draws directly, or by osmosis, his belief that he can behave the way he does in micromanaging our Police Department. Let's get real, people. The Council needs to put a leash on our Manager because right now our residents are all getting bit in the behind from mismanagement of the Police Department. Maybe if Mr. Lombardi removes the Police radio from his car and gives half a chance to the new Police Chief to run the Department, we can see permanent improvement and not just band-aids applied in a crisis mode.

I believe that a Citizen Review Committee for the Police Department may be necessary. In fact, I volunteer to serve on it.
Whether or not I get the position, I intend to closely scrutinize Police reports, dispatch orders, Police vehicle and equipment inventory and other matters which will make management directly accountable on a continuing basis. I never imagined that I would have to do so. Until Mr. Lombardi and his new hand picked Chief can instill confidence in this Village, and in the officers who have to work for them, you can count on this continued effort even if my colleagues find it distasteful. There is too much at stake deal with this in any other way.

My phone number is (305) 381-7979 Ext. 309; Fax (305) 371-6816; E-Mail address BLAXBERG@BLAXGRAY.COM 

Barry Blaxberg