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Police probe discovery of cocaine at St. Petersburg firehouse

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By PETER BERNARD | WFLA

Published: September 24, 2009

Updated: 09/24/2009 06:26 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - A small plastic bag containing cocaine was found in a washing machine at St. Petersburg fire station number 8 recently, leading to two separate investigations, police said.

The police department heard of the find at a station at 4701 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S. shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, said St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt.

Now, the station – and the firefighters assigned there – are under investigation, Proffitt said. There is a criminal investigation and an internal affairs investigation to see if any firefighters violated city policies.

The station, which sits on the shore of Lake Maggiore in the south part of St. Petersburg, houses 12-15 firefighters who work in three shifts. Assistant Fire Chief James Wimberly Jr. said the situation gives the department a black eye.

"We're extremely disappointed that something of this nature occurred," said Wimberly. "We're concerned about the public's trust. And I assure again the public that we'll do everything possible to complete a thorough investigation using the police department's resources.''

Will Newton, president of the local fire union, said the fire station is a public place and the cocaine could have come from any of the numerous people who work or stop by the station.

"We don't want to jump to any conclusions. Our people have always been very good," said Newton. "And this is an investigation that is ongoing.''

Reporter Stephen Thompson contributed to this report.

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