Comments on: Escambia Budget Talks Begin: Sheriff Wants Extra $5 Million

By: M in Bratt

M in Bratt — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:42:03 +0000

It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out how to save some gas in the SO. First, I’d buy some fuel efficient cars instead of the gas guzzling SUV”s. Second, I’d restrict take home cars to deputes that that choose to live in the county that pays their salary. All the arguments for taking cars home hold no credibility when the car is parked in front of a house or apartment in Santa Rosa County. Then, I’d ask the question; Is the benefit derived from having a car to get back and forth to work in figured into the wage and benefit package of SO officers? I’d bet they are comparing their base salaries to departments that have no take home cars. On cost of living raises, how many of the people that pay taxes to support the SO are unemployed or have had their wages and hours cut due to the economy? Wake up Sheriff Morgan, it’s time to look at ways of cutting costs instead of spending more money.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 01:05:30 +0000

Expert that I am in law enforcement….
Wait. I’m not an expert, so anything I say is questionable.

Never stopped me before.

So let’s see. They call it an increase in cost of living. I call it devaluation of the value of money, but the result is the same. Need more money to stay where you were.

Cost of fuel went up. Need more money for the same amount of fuel.

If people see law enforcement vehicles, they are less likely to commit crimes openly. Therefore the more the merrier for vehicles, as money allows. If we could afford it, we should supply every janitor and secretary with the vehicles. Unlikely, but if we COULD, it should reduce crime.

Training should be ongoing. Train to get along rather than consider everybody a vic, perp or LEO. Train to arrest — when necessary — safely and in such a manner that errors do not result mistrials or false arrests.

Keep 360° cameras in every patrol car, recording everything around them at all times and stored where it can not be wiped and is subject to review by any citizen. Any attempt to disable should be presumed grounds for firing and release of related suspects. THIS would build reasonable trust and appropriate convictions.

Or so it seems to me.

David for The People

By: j

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 01:50:15 +0000

On the fence on this one.
What really irks me is, driving down I-10, seeing the deputies drop their kids off at school in patrol cars, and their kids playing on the deputies “official” laptop.
See it all the time. Driving their kids to and from ball practice in patrol vehicle…
Where is the line drawn? As for pay, don’t whine about how much or how little they make in comparison to any other municipality…They choose to work there, and know what they will make $. If they don’t like it, then find another job, like the rest of us would…?

By: BT

BT — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:27:19 +0000

CC, I was thinking the exact same thing about deputies taking the cars home. I read a couple of studies on the matter. The ones I read seemed a little unscientific, and make some apples to oranges comparisons, but it turns out it is more cost-effective to take them home.

It has to do with the reduced operating costs, better maintenance, and reduced labor costs to put the vehicle into service each day. Those cost savings more than offset the increase in fuel costs.

I don’t believe the claims of crime deterrence were proven in the studies I looked at, but there seems to be an overall economic benefit.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:56:32 +0000

Sometimes I think sheriff Morgan believes he’s operating a small army instead of a sheriff’s department. I see 6 or 7 deputies every morning sitting at the Chick-fil-a on 9 mile road for at least an hour drinking coffee and chatting. Today most sheriff’s deputies are on a power trip and trample all over our constitutional rights because they know they can get away with it. To believe we need more of this is insane!!

By: J

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:51:59 +0000

It amazes me the bad ideas presented below. Lets put 10 police in a car and have them drive their personal cars on duty. We could save tons. Unbelievable.

Lets provide adequate funding, let the professionals do their jobs. If they fail we fire them and find someone who can succeed.

By: marshall

marshall — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 06:24:10 +0000

Concerned Citizen – Then do you want to make up the money by paying the Deputies more instead of them driving home in a Patrol Car? This is part of their “Package” when they are hired and to try and change it would require their pay be increased. They do not make enough money as it is, so I have NO Problem with them Driving Patrol Cars to their home. And CC…the rest of the “Citizens” are not putting their Lives on the Line every time they go to work! They do a job that few want, for pay that is not up to par to start with.

By: Ponch

Ponch — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 03:45:25 +0000

@Concerned Citizen

The presence of a patrol car at the deputies’ houses deter crime in their neighborhood. I’m sure their neighbors don’t mind that at all. Also, when deputies are on call, would you rather they had to drive to the station to pick up their vehicle, and then respond to the scene?

I’m totally fine with deputies driving their vehicles home. Should they drive it to run errands? No.

I appreciate all law enforcement and want to thank them for the thankless job they do to keep us all safe every day. Kudos to Sheriff Morgan on asking for money for his deputies and increasing the severely understaffed ECSO. When your murder/drug/gang related crimes are as high as ours, you need all the help you can get.

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 02:03:38 +0000

I feel the Sheriff’s office could save dramatically on saving gas purchases is to discontinue the deputies from driving the patrol cars home every day. I see more Escambia County Deputy vehicles in Santa Rosa county at their personal homes. Leave the county vehicles at the police station when they are off work and require the deputies to buy their own gas at their expense to commute to work and home like the rest of the citizens. All I ever hear is well, they get to drive the vehicles home to offset the lack of pay they receive. Not an valid excuse, in my opinion. The rest of the citizens don’t get gas allowances to go to and from work. Maybe then there would not be so many vehicles needed as well since they could be used for an entire shift instead of sitting in their personal driveways every day and night during “OFF” hours.

By: No Excuses

No Excuses — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 19:16:26 +0000

I am with the idea of not bad-mouthing our Sheriff. He has a huge amount of responsibility! As for saving money – the first thing he did in office was nix some of the projects the McNesby had on tap (through the good ole boy network) and got rid of the extra helicopter. He does try to save money, but you do need money to pay people and maintain infrastructure. Good job Sheriff!