Sarasota police officers protest outside city hall

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Sarasota police officers protest outside city hall

SARASOTA - Some current and former Sarasota Police officers are raising concerns. Wednesday they took those concerns to city hall in the form of a protest. They say due to recent budget cuts the police department is undermanned.

Before the rains fell Wednesday, protestors showered city hall with concerns. "It's just too much for too little, people," says Mick McHale with the Police Benevolent Association. Last year they say 29 positions were cut. 20 were sworn officers and it's leaving you and them at risk. "The men and women who are providing the level of public safety need your help. We need the public's help. It's out 911 call to the public to get the support which is necessary to put our police department back to the level that we feel is a safe level to provide this service."

Hoping citizens are listening and city leaders. Sarasota city manager Robert Bartolotta says times are tight. It's not a matter of want but reality. "We are trying to limit the number of cuts that have been done in the Police Department. We have tried to limit those to mostly management personnel in the building rather then on the streets." He also says the union's contract is about to end in September. "It's collective bargaining contract is due and obviously wages and benefits etcetera are all apart of the collective bargaining process."

Many of those out holding signs no longer work for the police department. Jerry Lacertosa recently retired as a Captain after 30 years. He says the current staffing isn't enough. "Manpower has always been an issue in the Police Department. In the past two years and what they want to do now that's the worst I've seen in 30 years."

McHale says it's about feet on the streets. "It's not about money it's not about benefits. It's about reality of what the level of policing is. It's an unacceptable number." He says the economy is causing more crime and we shouldn't be cutting those who fight it. "You are still decreasing the size of your police department? It doesn't make any sense."

We looked at the most recent numbers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Crime in Sarasota rose about 4% from 2007 to 2008. However, the number of overall crime is down from five years ago, which includes burglaries and petit theft. There has been an increase in robberies. Sarasota Police Chief Petter Abbot says so far in 2009 overall crime is down 17% from last year.

Bartolotta says those numbers sound right. "I think during economic hardship times crime usually goes up. I think in Sarasota the men and women of the Police Department are doing a great job of keeping crime low."

Bartolotta says it's because of the hard work put in by those who serve and protect. He also says fears of more cuts within the department are unfounded. "In next years budget we have 30 positions projected to be eliminated...none of which are in the police department."

Abbot says the current staffing levels are a result of Amendment 1 and the economy.

Saying right now his department has to be realistic about the difficult times and get through it.

That his top priority is saving the positions they currently have. Adding he applauds the officers passion and desire for better levels of service.