SHERIFF PRIORITIES HIT

Congratulations to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Department and the
Sarasota Police Department SWAT teams for placing first and second
respectively, in the Fourth Annual S.W.A.T. Competition held Aug. 26.
(Even though The Herald only gave them credit for fourth place.)

Unfortunately, even with all their experience raiding the penny-slot
dens of iniquity, Manatee's team apparently fell a little short. Take
heart, Sheriff Wells, I have noticed a dramatic decrease in the number
of 80-year-old prostitutes on 14th Street, working to pay off their
gambling and drug addiction debts, and that's a good thing, right?
Drive-by shootings seem to be on the rise, but, what the heck, they're
mostly drug-related anyway and who needs those people? I still fear
for my safety in local malls, parking lots and convenience stores
along Manatee roads and even in my home, but at least I don't have to
deal with those renegade seniors. Seems like a win-win to me.

Seriously Sheriff, what an embarrassment the leadership of the Manatee
County Sheriff's Office has become to the citizens of Manatee and
especially to the loyal, dedicated and hard-working deputies who
unselfishly put their lives on the line for each of us every day. How
about giving them and the citizens of the county some well-deserved
support and protection from gang activity, drug violence, robbers,
thieves and general ne'er-do-wells? Red-light runners are decidedly
more of a public danger than penny-slots and bingo, and yet I see only
basic lip service paid to that problem. Lots of rhetoric but very
little positive action. Perhaps a little priority adjustment is in
order?

Stan Anderson

Bradenton