Crime Increase

I wrote the following article on local crime and gun-use for one of my classes at USF. Rich Nugent, Rick Hankins and Pete Resnick were a tremendous help to me with their input and I justed wanted to say thanks!

In this stagnant economy, local law enforcement officials have reported an increase in crime, without a significant climb in gun-related incidents.

Even though the local gun shop in Brooksville reported an increase in gun sales, city police and the sheriff’s uniform crime report do not indicate an increase in firearm incidents during this recession. The sheriff’s department noted a rise in construction-related thefts, with a dramatic increase in burglaries and theft, related to local pharmacies. The primary cause of death in the county was related to prescription drug abuse, according to the medical examiner. Records show an increase in suicide-attempts during this economic slump, with a noted decrease in domestic violence.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Department and the city of Brooksville annually complete uniform crime reports, or UCR that contain data on unlawful activity in the community. The International Association of Chiefs of Police began the process of “uniform crime reporting” in 1929. According the FBI, these reports provide a similar way of gathering statistical documentation for annual publications. The national reports have input by over 17,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States, including those in Hernando County.

“Based on our UCR report, there was a 10 percent increase in robberies but aggravated assault, stalking and manslaughter decreased,” said Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent when asked if their department had seen an increase in crimes related to guns. “We did have one more murder in 2008 but it did not involve a firearm.”

Brooksville Police reports show a similar crime trend in the city that has evolved from the slow economy. Thefts and burglaries have increased within the city while violent crimes, involving the use of firearms have decreased, according to police.

“Historically, city crime statistics are fairly balanced from year to year but violent crime has decreased in this recession while theft and burglaries have increased approximately 20 percent.” said Brooksville Detective Rick Hankins. “Gun crimes are not an issue for us in the city but thefts of guns during burglaries are up.”

The Hernando County Sheriff’s office released statistical data, related to a class of crime they have labeled “unique to the economy” which involves theft of construction materials that can be sold for scrap metal. During this current economic climate, officials have seen an increase in theft reports of copper and air conditioner parts. An increase in gasoline thefts of approximately $4,000 has also been reported to officials. The sheriff’s department estimated a combined-loss for construction related thefts and gasoline to be $259,703.90 for a 7-month period.

Domestic battery and domestic violence reports peaked during 2005, with a combined total of 2,341 incidents, according to the county uniform crime report. In 2008, Hernando County experienced a combined 25.5 percent decline in domestic violence and domestic battery complaints compared to 2005, according to the UCR.

Pete Resnick, owner of Bull’s Eye Gun Shop in downtown Brooksville has seen an increase in handgun sales. Resnick attributes this spike in sales to the rise in property crimes, associated with the poor economy and the high unemployment in the county.

“The average law-abiding citizen has less faith in law enforcement’s ability to prevent property crime.” Resnick said. “Home invasion is a crime feared by most homeowners and small business owners.”

Resnick said that his customer base is a cross-section of upper middle-class individuals who are largely defined by the economics of guns. “I do not sell inexpensive, personal-protection weapons,” Resnick said.

Resnick has noticed an increase in female customers in his shop whom he says are often seen as easy targets by criminals. “Women have started to buy more guns as function of fear, or just wanting to be prepared,” Resnick said.

“Ammunition and small personal guns, together with assault rifles, are in short supply because the demand has skyrocketed,” Resnick said. “Every time the Democrats are in power, many people think their right to gun-ownership will be impaired.” Resnick described his increase in gun and ammunition sales as a “better get it while I can” syndrome.

In the last four years, suicide attempts in Hernando County increased 32 percent, according to public records. In 2005, Hernando County reported 112 suicide attempts, compared to 157 in 2008. Officials also reported a four percent increase in Baker Act incarcerations. The “Baker Act” is used by law enforcement to detain individuals temporarily to complete mental-health evaluations of suspects.

Pharmacies in the county have seen the sharpest increase in crime during this recession. The sheriff’s department reported that burglaries at local pharmacies jumped 300 percent in 2008. Robberies at pharmacies have been reported to have increased 33 percent since 2005. The sheriff’s department also reported a 300 percent increase in prescription-fraud from 2005 to 2008.

The Hernando County Medical Examiner’s office has recorded a 21 percent increase in drug-related deaths from prescription drug overdose. In 2008, 47 drug-related deaths were recorded by the medical examiner in the county. Forty-five of these drug-related deaths were ruled accidental while 2 were deemed to be suicide by county medical examiner records. The highest number of drug-related deaths occurred in white males, with an average age of 45-years old, according to records. Oxycodone overdose, along with a combined drug toxicity mix, was cited in this report as the major cause of death.

In response to the misuse of prescription drugs, the Hernando County sheriff’s office conducted “Operation Medicine Cabinet” in March to collect expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications. According to their reports, 376 people dropped off 3,904 bottles of prescription drugs. Sheriff’s spokesman said this operation was a method for citizens to properly dispose of unused portions of prescription medications.

Public safety, and the safety of Hernando County deputies, was cited by the sheriff as his primary concern, as he faces the possibility of additional reductions to his budget in this recession. “In the last 3 budget cycles, we have not increased the number of employees even though the population of the county continues to increase,” Nugent said. “As you can see, our crime rate is up and we believe it is directly related to the economy.”

Highly Offensive

The following is a press release from Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite's office:

Brown-Waite: DHS Report Highly Offensive

Obama Administration Report labels veterans “potential terrorists”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) today demanded an explanation from the Department of Homeland Security regarding their labeling of our nation’s veterans as potential “terrorists.” The report also labeled many commonly held views as “radical,” such as opposition to illegal immigration, the belief in the right of the State to conduct its own affairs, and the fear of communist regimes.

“I am astonished and offended that this Administration would label the men and women who so bravely wore our nation’s uniform as possible terrorists,” Rep. Brown-Waite said today. “The lumping of these members of the Armed Forces in with mad-men like Timothy McVeigh is not only morally reproachable, but intellectually disingenuous.”

The report titled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment” was released last week by DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis. It suggested acts of violence could come from unnamed “rightwing extremists” concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, and restrictions on firearms. It singled out returning war veterans as susceptible to recruitment.

Rep. Brown-Waite authored a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano demanding clarification on how and why her department came to these offensive conclusions.

"Blazing the Base"

Bob Haa, talk show host for WWJB radio, announced on the air this morning that Blaise Ingoglia was elected last night as the new chairman for the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee. Bets are already coming in from party insiders on the committee who are already placing odds on this arrangement. They are giving it about 6 months before the executive committee implodes from within the walls of the REC.

The handwriting was on the wall for this election when Trinque was re-elected in January. She just kept the seat warm for Ingoglia until he was voted in as a new member at the HCREC this spring. This new membership positioning gave Ingoglia the opportunity to be placed in the driver seat of chairman. Apparently REC members were duped by their board of directors who manipulated this election to seat Ingoglia as chairman.

"Building up the base" was the slogan during Trinque's term to entice new members to the HCREC. Maybe the new chair of the REC will use a slogan like "Blazing the Base" as they continue to alienate party members across Hernando County. Too bad they didn't learn anything at their own Unity Rally last fall...

Editorial response to the Times

The following letter was sent to the Hernando Times in response to their editorial column on THE Bus this morning:

Re: Editorial –Inadequate mass transit

Let me see if I have this correct. It appears that I am now the villain of the discussion on the failed mass transit system in this county, according to the Hernando Times.

The lead to C.T. Bowen’s editorial column attempted to give everyone the impression that “I just don’t get it” when it comes to the importance of TBARTA and the continuation of mass transit in Hernando County.

This obvious misrepresentation of the truth by the Hernando Times editorial staff could only be explained in one way. It is obvious they are truly looking for a villain to crucify by intentionally misrepresenting the facts brought out in our meeting.

Here are a few facts that the Hernando Times side-stepped in their original reporting of this meeting.

· I specifically stated at the beginning of this meeting that saving the bus system was vital to mass transit dollars, from the state and the federal government, for our local transportation needs in the county.

· I suggested the county look into a private-public partnership with local business to increase bus-ridership. With this method, I proposed a “Park & Ride” system with local business to move workers to and from work, stationed at central locations throughout the county. I was not given credit for these suggestions by the reporter in the original article on the issue.

· I suggested the county reduce its current fixed-rate schedule to running the buses ever two hours. This would save the county $420,000 annually.

· With this reduction in service over the next year, I suggested the county partner with business to make the bus system work more efficiently for everyone.

· Yes, I strongly opposed taking 5 buses through the federal economic stimulus package. The funding for these five buses would put our county in a 10 year, 350,000 mile commitment per bus.

· I also strongly opposed using federal dollars to rehabilitate the existing fleet of buses which would put our county into another 7 year commitment to the federal government. By the way, the average mileage on the current bus fleet is 150,000 mile which is a long way from being on the endangered species list for derelict buses.

· I suggested the county apply dollars from the $420,000 for the rehabilitation of the current bus fleet and work on resolving issues of ridership that have plagued the system since 2001. The county could rehab all the buses, using local money, and still save dollars over the next year, without being encumbered by a 7 to 10-year federal commitment.

I believe the majority of citizens in this county agree the current system does not work effectively in its current condition. On that premise, why would anyone consider giving the county officials another 10 years to practice making the THE Bus work on the taxpayer’s dime?

In closing, I would like to highlight to the Hernando Times staff that I am a volunteer committee member in this county, not an elected official. The photograph you chose to run by my comment was not only unnecessary, but I believe it was done intentionally to crucify me, the messenger. Let me remind each of you there is a fine line between printing the truth and having an outright slanderous attack on a private citizen in this community.

I shouldn’t be surprised by your yellow journalism tactics since your paper didn’t even bother to properly attribute the facts in the original article. Maybe this is why the print media in this country is failing because readers are tired of being politically manipulated by editorial-writer opinions on the front page.

Anna Liisa Covell

Congressional art winners

REP. BROWN-WAITE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2009 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
WASHINGTON, D.C. –

U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-5) today announced the winner of the 2009 5th District Congressional Art Competition. The awards ceremony was held last Friday evening, March 27th, 2009.

1st Place: The 2009 winner is Anastasia Magloire. Her winning digital piece is entitled “Reflection.” She is the student at Land O’ Lakes High School and is in the 10th grade.

2nd place:
Kristina Armstrong. Kristina is a senior at Lecanto School of Art at Lecanto High School and her photographic work is entitled “Missing Piece.”

3rd place:
Karissa Yob. She is a 10th grader at Land O’ Lakes High School, her piece is entitled “’Bear’ Your Soul.”

Honorable Mention:

Tiffany Richards is an 11th grader at Citrus High School and her entry is in black and white prismacolor pencils and is entitled “Fabric Study.”

Jenna Haller is an 11th grader at Hudson High School and her composition is entitled “Trail of Tears Memoir.”

Obama's tax & spend budget

The following is from Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite's office:

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HIDING OUTRAGEOUS TAXES & SPENDING IN NEW BUDGET

Weeks after President Obama released his outline for the federal budget for 2010, the House of Representatives is set to vote on the budget in a few days. If passed, this budget resolution serves as a framework from which Congress will work for the next five years. The White House and my Democratic colleagues in Congress claim this budget will reduce deficits and won’t increase taxes, but that is a mirage created by gimmicks. Obama’s budget dramatically increases the size and role of the federal government while failing to address the trillions of dollars in future spending our government already knows it will not be able to fund. There is only one way to pay for all this spending: higher taxes on you.

I have been hearing absolute infuriation from folks across the Fifth District over the irresponsible spending and the debt we will leave our next generations. “If the average person is expected to tighten their belt, why isn’t Washington? I am very worried,” I hear time and time again.

The President’s budget uses a number of gimmicks to give the appearance of a reduction in future deficits. For example, they use so-called “reserve funds,” which just gives Democratic budget leaders the ability to ask for additional funds later. Reserve funds are basically a commitment to tax and spend.

The House budget resolution contains seventeen such funds ranging from a further expansion of unemployment benefits to President Obama’s cap and tax initiative. The cap and tax proposal will tax anyone who uses electricity in the United States. President Obama’s economic advisors have admitted that just when they expect the economy to recover, President Obama plans on instituting a $1 trillion tax on all Americans who use electricity.

Even worse, buried in a footnote on page 127 the Obama budget calls for the largest increase in the death tax in U.S history beginning in 2010. Under his plan, estates will be taxed at an outrageous 45 percent. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the long-term impact of maintaining such a tax will result in $1.6 trillion less invested in small businesses and 1.5 million fewer jobs created. As the Wall Street Journal noted this week, “Obama won’t merely bring back from the dead one of the most despised of all federal taxes, and not merely splinter many family owned businesses. He will also forfeit half the jobs he hopes to gain from the $787 billion stimulus bill.”

A recent letter sent to me from a constituent in Hernando said, “It seems no one is listening to the people. We can’t spend our way out of this. I recognized this when I reviewed my own budget and bills. I no longer overextend myself.” Rest assured; I am listening.

An alternative plan is available and Republicans have tried to offer commonsense amendments to Obama’s budget, but unfortunately those were struck down in committee on party line votes. The budget resolution is a further example of the Democrats’ plans to increase taxes on every American and dramatically increase the size and scope of the federal government. Republicans have alternatives that rely on the strengths of the American people not the size of the federal government. For all of these reasons, I will oppose this budget when it comes for a vote on the House floor later this week.

Thank you,

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite