Comments on: One Dead Following Drive-by Shooting

By: Stumpknocker

Stumpknocker — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:24:21 +0000

Well there is a manpower issue at the sheriffs dept,can’t keep deputies,a high turn over rate,less deputies now then in 2006. No one is applying for the job,so now their going as far as paying tuition for future deputies, but still having trouble hiring people. So it’s not just more money that’s needed because they can’t even keep it staffed with the money they have. It does not help either to keep promoting until there is a lieutenant and 2 or 3 sergeants supervising 7 or 8 deputies.George Stone has full classes for law enforcement,but they choose to work elsewhere once they graduate,or they go to work at the ECSO for a short time,or until the job they want with another dept becomes available. It’s kinda like this,when the teacher leaves the room the students act out until the teacher returns,when there is little presence of law enforcement the criminals do the same and victims are created,figure out who is in charge and lay the blame there for not being able to maintain just a normal amount of deputies.

By: D HEIST

D HEIST — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 22:46:04 +0000

Seriously people,
You can have the best Sheriff’s Department in the country but if your community is full of thugs you are going to have killings and no law enforcement can stop it all because they can’t be everywhere at the same time.
We currently have officer’s in this country who are doing their jobs defending themselves against thugs and what has got got them. Criticism, loss of a job, having to move and hide from those that seek to kill them. I pray that this doesn’t lead another officer to second guess that split second decision that he or she has between going home at the end of his or her shift or not going home at all.

By: anotherone

anotherone — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:35:59 +0000

FL_girl31….Some of your statements are incorrect. A LEO is allowed to attempt to make contact with any citizen by initiating a citizen’s contact. Many times the citizen will do something during this legally permitted contact that rises to the level of reasonable suspicion, or probable cause to either detain the person or make an arrest. During my career, I have served many warrants simply by making a citizen’s contact and the person telling me they have a warrant and want to go to jail and get it taken care of. Also, many times, the person will take concealed drugs, or a weapon and drop it on the ground, simply by the presence of the LEO. Sounds like I am making this up, but it is the truth. People get nervous and do stupid things when they are holding drugs or weapons. You are correct in that during the Morgan administration, the number of deputies making citizen’s contacts has drastically decreased, due to the fact that many deputies are afraid they will be subject to unfair discipline, simply for doing their job. That is my point, it is time for a change. If anyone honestly believes the streets of Escambia County have become safer during Morgan’s time as sheriff, vote for him again. I do not believe the streets are safer and in fact have become more dangerous. Morgan will not get my vote.

By: Robinhood

Robinhood — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:16:42 +0000

MANPOWER ?????? Is that everyone’s answer ???? If so, Then let the county RAISE YOUR TAXES to pay for it. David Morgan has repeatedly asked for and has been rejected / turned down over budget issues that are required to PAY those deputy’s salaries. Stupid people want more BUT DO NOT want to pay more for those services. Not so sure how those that think more manpower will help can explain how to pay for more personnel. It is the COUNTYS fault for not providing enough $$$$ to pay for the manpower needed BUT manpower is not the answer. Those neighbors that everyone mentions is the REAL PROBLEM since they protect the THUGS when they should be turning them all in and get them off the streets. I for one carries guns and never have had to pull them or use them on anyone BUT makes me feel more safe and it definitely EQUALIZES the situation when a THUG thinks he can commit a crime on me or around me. Those that have been shot are THUGS themselves if you would look them up. They are involved with criminal activity and that is what you get when you hang out with those type of people / areas of known crime. If YOU want more deputies on the streets then TAXES will need to be raised to pay for them since the COUNTY states they do not have the $$$$ to give to David Morgan for which he has asked for numerous times. NOT DAVID MORGAN’S FAULT at all …. It is the COUNTY”S !!!!!!!!!!

By: northofI10

northofI10 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:08:12 +0000

There really isn’t anything new here about the lack of cooperation between neighborhood residents and law enforcement it was–is–and will be a problem. The residents are there long after law enforcement leaves the area and the criminals count on this to be the case in order for them to be—-criminals and prey on the innocents.

While the sheriff continues to tout and spout that crime is down in Escambia County the headlines tell a different story. Perhaps if more violent crime would be designated as ‘ritual’—’witchcraft’ etc., it may get the attention of the individual that is supposed to be the top law enforcement officer of the county. Unless there’s something [publicity/recognition] in it for him the stats will continue to rise along with the lower crime rhetoric. It’s long past time for a change and hopefully a return to an actual law enforcement officer to run things.

By: concern citizen

concern citizen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 06:47:58 +0000

CINDY– in the last 2 weeks in the COUNTY there has been 6 homicides

Lincoln park 1 shot & killed —(tuesday) last week of july
3 killed on Deerfield — (friday) last week of july
Lakeview Ave 1 shot & killed — past weekend
Off of Hollywood ave 1 shot & killed — today

Also 1 shot at Moreno courts lived and yesterday off of mobile hwy 1 shot and lived.

And never mentioned anything about the city crime.
Look at FDLE web site to see we have more crime then areas 3 times the population as Escambia County. The sheriff is to blame for lack of man power and morally. Not the actual crime itself. IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE!!!

By: Violinist

Violinist — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 03:19:15 +0000

There is no reason to blame Sheriff Morgan, He can not go around and babysit everyone. He is doing his best. He is human like the rest of us. Just because he is the Sheriff does not make him a robot or give him superpowers. So don’t put blame on him. yes there is a ton of crime right now, and no doubt they are probably working very hard to solve everything and find who has done everything and will eventually catch the bad guys.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 03:17:50 +0000

Get a grip people, this ain’t Disneyland. Like LEO said, police can’t be everywhere at once. There are places you don’t wanna go in any town, you know what I’m talking about. So stop blaming ECSD or how it’s run, or try to make all these murders a political thing. It’s warm out this time of year, the criminal element is out on the street more, so it figures there is more activity in the 2 legged wild animal faction.

9am is kinda weird, the scumbags are usually sleeping one off around that time. Stop messing around & get those concealed carry permits, you live in a zoo where the animals are running loose, and they have guns. So you need to be able to shoot back. Either that or you are just potential prey.

By: chris in Molino

chris in Molino — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 02:10:54 +0000

People keep talking about “high crime”. Crime in Florida has steadily decreased over the last 20 years. So let’s take a look at 20 years of crime in Escambia County (violent crime) which is the perception here.

Murder–21 ( 5 years had a higher rate)

Forcible Sex–277 ( Only 6 years had a lower rate. 2 within 20 cases, 2 within 10, and 2 within 5)

Robbery–388 ( The lowest in 20 years )

Aggrevated Assault–1454 ( 8 years had a lower rate. 4 of them within 100 cases )

Violent crime complaints per 100,000 residents–704.2 ( only 3 years had a lower rate )
Source: FDLE

So where is the high crime you speak of ? Or is it more likely a lack of news stories worth coverage ? Yes, there have been higher than average homicides but not very high by any means (Q David with dry humor) and certainly not outlandishly high.

By: FL_girl31

FL_girl31 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 02:00:24 +0000

@anotherone – the “in contact” with people you refer to is a huge bone of contention for LEO. If they see people standing on the street, and they approach them to “check them out”, the LEO is jeopardizing themselves to lawsuits and disciplinary action for profiling or illegal contact. They must first see some illegal activities before they can contact a person and determine if they have a warrant, gun or drugs.
Gangs have been in Escambia County for many years. In recent years they have become larger, more brazen, better protected and LEOs are being watched under a microscope.
You can’t have the control of citizens, without sacrifice if some “rights”. The balance between the two is in question. Where should the line be drawn?
LEO must work within the laws of our government and within the budget set for their operations but the local government. Criminals have no respect for the laws, and when they need more money they sell more drugs or steal it.