CRIME STATISTICS POINT TO NEED FOR SOLID PLANNING

Crime Is Up

Murders are up, rapes are up, assaults are up, burglaries are up. The rate
of people hurting other people and stealing from other people has escalated
in Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

Of the three, Charlotte County's increases were the most numbing -- a 22
percent increase overall with the numbers up in every category -- from rape
and murder to larceny and assault.

DeSoto's overall increase was greater, 27.6 percent, but some categories,
such as robberies and motor vehicle thefts, were down. Sarasota, which has
by far the highest numbers, and the greatest population, saw its numbers
jump only 8.6 percent.

The numbers are even more chilling when you consider that there was an
overall drop in serious crime rates in the state of Florida.

Why are crime rates here up? Authorities could debate the reasons all day
and still not come up with a true answer. Drugs, no doubt, are a major
problem. Most law enforcement professionals will tell you that drugs and
alcohol contribute to somewhere near 80 percent of all crime. And, in
Charlotte County especially, drugs are becoming a greater problem every day.

It would be easy to correlate an increase in crime rates in Charlotte
County to the upheaval in the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Bill Clement has
been at least temporarily sidelined while he faces charges of campaign
irregularities. Even before Clement was suspended, the Sheriff's Office was
ripe with controversy, firings and internal investigations.

Still, it would be wrong -- and much too simple -- to point the finger at
Clement or the Sheriff's office in general as the reason for an increase in
crime.

Clement has long argued his office is underfunded by the County Commission.
He said he needs more deputies and street presence to take a serious bite
out of crime. Perhaps these statistics support his argument.

Gov. Jeb Bush is expected to name a permanent replacement for Clement -- a
person who would likely serve out Clement's term until the November, 2004
elections, or until Clement is cleared and returns to duty.

Whoever is granted that responsibility must approach the job as if it were
a long-term commitment. Charlotte County cannot afford for anyone to simply
occupy a seat for the next 11 months.

Ultimately, voters must scrutinize candidates for the sheriff's position
and select a professional who can bring stability to the office. That
person will have to work with the County Commission to map out a financial
and strategic plan that might put a stop to rising crime statistics.