Another Soap Box Entry!

It's a New Day in SH!

You all know I am a kind of a split personality. I am a very strong activist when I feel the quality of life in SH is in jeopardy. It is no secret that I have had serious issues with the Tampa Code department. The group of us who have been working, EVERYDAY, on the 1303 New Orleans issue has been and still are frustrated. However, I also am a person who believes not only making ourselves heard but also in trying to be part of the solution. I am constantly saying things are more complicated than they seem and change will be slow. So some think me pretty darn pushy and unrelenting and some think I am too soft! I am both! But there is a place for both positions.

This brings me to my point (bet your glad). Something very positive has taken place in our little corner of the world and I wanted to share it with you.
One of the problems in the past that has thwarted code is that many times their inspectors need cooperation from other city departments that is difficult to obtain. And sometimes code officers are placed in a situation which can be very intimidating. For instance if they are attempting to cite a house that is being used for drug activity.

You may have seen the TV coverage of the house on Osborne which was one of these situations. Many of you hooted about all the PR and how everyone was doing it for the coverage. I want you to know this situation is just one of several that have had outstanding coverage by code and that the rest of them, no one even knows about! The exciting thing is that our code officer Kristin and our District III TPD Major, Guidara are actively working together as a result of these few cases. It has started a new union between TPD and Code on the street level. We now have an officer which has been directed to work with Kristin in situations which concern both departments and the COP officers have been directed to help her as needed. I know this does not sound like anything but what should be business as usual, but I assure you this is huge!

Again, the support from TPD is wonderful. I can not tell you how satisfying it is to sit in a meeting with four other community activists and many of TPD’s finest, including Assistant Chief Castor. Major Guidara, and Major Teague, and experience an honest work together spirit of mutual respect. Having experienced the polar opposite some years back I can tell you this is very rewarding. I am sincerely hoping that this little start of super cooperation between Code and TPD will spread across the city and become a norm instead of an exception.