THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508040213
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
Speech is not free at Windsor rescue unit
I write to inform you of a recent injustice.
A letter, published July 30 in the Sun, informed readers of a problem with funding for the Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad. It was written by Alan Rose, an elected squad lieutenant, who wrote as a citizen and at no time mentioned his position in the squad. All information in the letter is open to public review.
I believe it was his Constitutional right to write the letter, but the squad captain sees it differently. Mr. Rose was suspended and denied access to the squad for writing the letter.
It looks to me like freedom of speech is not allowed for members of the Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad, especially if it reflects a view other than the captain's. I guess the captain feels that readers have no right to this information, even though the squad is funded by your tax dollars and is there to serve you.
Mr. Rose is a highly trained emergency medical technician with a shock trauma classification. He provides his services free to Windsor and Suffolk rescue squads. In July, he accumulated 42 duty hours and seven rescue calls in Windsor and at least 40 hours of service to Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad. Only 16 hours are required to maintain active status in Windsor's rescue squad.
Only 11 active members in Windsor meet or exceed Mr. Rose's qualifications. His suspension greatly reduces Windsor's ability to serve the public. I feel that someone with his desire to serve and keep the public informed should be rewarded, not punished.
If I were injured, I would prefer a person of Mr. Rose's calibre and training to respond to my call for help.
The captain has met only minimum requirements for membership in the squad. As first responder, he can do little more than provide basic first aid. I doubt he realizes the severity of his actions.
If you feel as I do, I would encourage you to write to: Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 636, Windsor, Va. 23487. In addition, contact local and county officials to inform them of your disgust.
Michael J. Martin
Rhodes Drive
Windsor Letter against bike patrol misses point
Mr. Shelton A. Spivey's letter against Sheriff Phelps' Bike Patrol Division (The Sun, July 20) was far off target.
Mr. Spivey blames The Citizen (community news section for Smithfield, Windsor and Isle of Wight County) for giving the sheriff ``free advertising.'' This is not the case. The purpose of the article was to introduce the bike patrol to readers. While Sheriff Phelps may have given permission to start the patrol, the subject was the patrol itself.
Second, for the price of purchasing one police-packaged cruiser, 15 deputies could be outfitted with police bikes and all necessary equipment. Plus, the residents of Isle of Wight get to know their officers, and the officers get the drop on criminals while staying in shape.
Finally, as a candidate for sheriff, Mr. Spivey should know that nothing is free, and that receiving equipment, food or anything else free just because one is a police officer is unethical.
I know many bike officers in the Newport News and Hampton police departments, as well as being a bike security officer myself. I have seen the difference a bicycle division can make in a community, such as catching drug dealers in the act of selling narcotics instead of arriving after the suspects leave the area.
As an officer working some of the most crime-ridden apartment complexes in Newport News, I can say that two officers patrolling together may not be cost-effective, but it is better than risking the lives of our law-enforcement officers by depriving them of back-up.
Problems with the Sheriff's Department are not entirely the department's fault. The Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors consistently approves budgets for millions of dollars to go to the school system. Yet, despite Sheriff Phelps' pleas for more funding for his department, the board finds excuses every time to deny additional funds. Hence, a lot of crime that occurs in the county goes unnoticed, especially traffic infractions.
Mr. Spivey should realize that the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Bike Patrol Division is right for this county. More than 550 police bike patrols nationwide have proven that it works.
Cpl. David R. Lyons
Security Officer
Bike Patrol Division Commander
Carrollton by CNB