When state-mandated property-tax cuts forced Pasco County to cut spending by $16 million last summer, Sheriff Bob White came in asking for a budget increase of $11 million. ...more

August 8, 2008

In my opinion you can't pay our police officers enough, seeing as, like the military, they are risking their lives to protect us. But there's an interesting perk that Tampa police officers enjoy that is growing by leaps and bounds. That is, it increases commensurate with gasoline prices. Many officers who live anywhere in Tampa, Hillsborough County and any adjacent county, meaning Pinellas, Pasco, Polk or Manatee, are allowed to take their cars home and their gas is paid for. ...more

July 22, 2008

If the city of Tampa is considering lay-offs to cope with reduced tax revenues, Mayor Pam Iorio should be willing to ask police officers who live outside Hillsborough County to pay for the gas they use when driving their take-home cruisers beyond the county line. ...more

July 17, 2008

With gas costs higher than ever, city and county officials are looking for ways to save money on fuel. ...more

July 16, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - In a symbolic vote, unionized Pasco County Sheriff's patrol deputies and detectives have expressed no confidence in Sheriff Bob White. ...more

July 1, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - In a symbolic vote, Pasco County sheriff's deputies and detectives overwhelmingly expressed zero confidence in Sheriff Bob White. ...more

June 30, 2008

With about 30 St. Petersburg police officers and their family members standing behind him, the leader of the local police union lambasted city officials Tuesday for the stance they are taking during contract negotiations. ...more

June 11, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - With roughly 30 St. Petersburg police officers and their family members standing behind him, the leader of the local police union lambasted city officials today for the stance they are taking during current contract negotiations. The city is offering officers a 3 percent raise while the union, the Pinellas County Police Benevolent Association, is asking for a 7 percent increase, said PBA President Mark Deasaro. The city's offer, he said, constitutes neither a living wage nor a competitive one. ...more

June 10, 2008

The Clearwater police officer who arrested a 76-year-old woman on charges she blocked the drive-through lane at a McDonald's was cleared of wrongdoing in that case, but later resigned while under investigation in an unrelated matter. ...more

June 7, 2008

CLEARWATER The Clearwater police officer who arrested a 76-year-old woman on charges she blocked the drive-thru lane at a McDonald's was cleared of wrongdoing in that case, but he later resigned while under investigation in an unrelated matter. Officer Matthew Parco resigned May 20 after he and a police union representative looked at a case in which Parco was accused of acting inappropriately with a 15-year-old girl during a child custody dispute, according to police documents made available this week. ...more

June 6, 2008