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• The fact that this Patrol is unable to communicate by radio with any of our local law enforcement or emergency services agencies is reason enough to restrict the authority of these poorly equipped and under -trained personnel. Our Sheriff's Department is more than capable of handling minor traffic infractions. The only role your Deputy should play, without the request of our local law enforcement agency, is to report the infractions to the proper local authority. When the Park Police were added to the budget a few years ago, we were assured that their mission was to provide security in the State Parks. If their mission is now expanding beyond the State Parks, perhaps they need to be under the Highway Patrol where they can truly make a difference and be properly trained and controlled. We call attention to your Strategic Plan, which focuses on stewardship, citizen involvement and cooperative partnerships. Let's do. Enclosed are two newspaper articles regarding the incidents. Any pursuit in our County must be coordinated with the local law enforcement agency. We will not stand by idly and see another innocent life lost in our County, due to some Deputy's ill-timed and unnecessary pursuit. PLEASE DO NOT PUT OUR CITIZENS IN JEOPARDY. With best wishes, we remain Yours truly, Chairman Indian River County Commission Enc. c: Governor Jeb Bush Senator Patsy Kurth Representative Charles Sembler Representative Bill Posey Press Journal Tuesday. December 29.1998, mot6�rist lands Fleemg in lake dy Pnta Jwmw staff State authorities pursued a mo- torist . in .,north Indian River . County early Monday morning until the man's vehicle wegt into a small lake on Schumann Drive, said Sebastian Police Chief Randyy White and county Undersheriff Jim Davis. White said Monday afternoon the chase was initiated by park of- ftcers at the Sebastian Inlet, but he didn't know where the chase scatted. White said Florida- High- . way Patrol troopers handled the investigation of the accident. . •. The man reportedly drove into the lake on Schumann Drive near U. end the entrance to the Se - bas' ds around mid- night, T River County Fire JANUARY 5. 1999 Capt. John Freeman said, rection deputies to Sebastian Sebastian officers were un- River Medical Center, where the aware of the chase until it ended Pursued man was being treated for and. did., not 'par -paK;•White breathing water into his lungs, he said. He said he didn t know why said. the officers weren't informed of 'chiise,' but -the A Fire Department dive team 'was 'sent 'to lake io firid the guessed'"that park patrol radios broadcast on a the the man, but the driver apparently was different channel: not in the vehicle when they ar- Davis said shenWs officials rived, Freeman said. were told of the incident at a staff Further information of the in- , briefingnday morning. Sher- drs cident, includiathe driver's iden- ble ad tots sent two cor- Uty, was unav Monday. -29- BOOK C FAUE 36