Tampa Bay officials respond after \u2018teen takeover\u2019 at Curtis Hixon Park | March 15<\/p>\n
Twenty-two people were arrested in the recent \u201cteen takeover,\u201d most of them boys under 18. Thirteen were younger than 15 years old \u2014 nearly 60%. Yet much of the public discussion afterward focused not on accountability, but on excuses.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re told this was caused by socioeconomic conditions, lack of youth programs, lack of jobs, social media, \u201cpack mentality\u201d even described as \u201cnormal teen behavior\u201d and \u201csomething fun to do\u201d by a pediatric psychologist.<\/p>\n
Normal?<\/p>\n
Running from police, creating chaos in public spaces, and forcing families and other teens to fear for their safety is not \u201cnormal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes, positive programs, sports, schools, churches, and neighborhoods matter. They can help young people make good choices. Yet programs alone won\u2019t fix a breakdown in parental responsibility and discipline.<\/p>\n
A former police chief got it right: Programs are not the real solution. Parents should matter most.<\/p>\n
We need fewer excuses and more accountability. Parents need to step up, and communities have to enforce standards rather than tolerate misconduct. Lastly, we should focus on supporting the young people who do make good choices every day.<\/p>\n
Steve Cassidy, St. Petersburg<\/p>\n
Open carry is over at Florida Publix stores | May 13<\/p>\n
The letter writer said he did not shop at Publix for eight months due to the company allowing customers to openly carry firearms in its stores. In the last eight months, I have never seen someone openly carrying a gun in a Publix, and I shop there once or twice a week.<\/p>\n
But last Wednesday, we went to Walmart, a company that asked customers not to openly carry guns in its stores. I was going down an aisle, a fellow reached up to the top shelf, and heaven forbid, I saw a gun under his shirt. So people who think a company\u2019s policy on guns will make them safe, better stay away from every store and restaurant.<\/p>\n
If you can\u2019t see a gun, it doesn\u2019t mean there isn\u2019t one. You could be standing in line, and the person next to you might be carrying. You just can\u2019t see it.<\/p>\n
Kathie Williams, Brooksville<\/p>\n
Florida to end international export of manta rays for aquariums | May 13<\/p>\n
At the recent May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission failed to take the final and necessary steps to end the practice of permitted capture of wild, imperiled and threatened marine species for display as exhibits.<\/p>\n
While the commissioner moved in the right direction, they failed to fully and permanently protect the wildlife at risk. The commission can and must do better.<\/p>\n
The destination of wildlife captured, or extra steps in the permitting process, are small things compared to ending the actual ongoing permitted capture itself.<\/p>\n
I imagine its final place of exhibit or the amount of discussion regarding its capture does not matter much to the Giant Manta Ray once it is in the net and torn from the Gulf of Mexico.<\/p>\n
Despite public outrage, strong arguments from conservation groups and Florida legislators, and the fact that this practice is no longer sustainable, the commissioners did not act fully and finally in the best interest of wildlife and marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n
Our oceans are faced with growing threats from climate change, pollution and coastal habitat loss. This vote occurred as efforts in Washington, D.C., to gut protections for endangered species in the Gulf move forward.<\/p>\n
Failing to fully end these captures is another cut among thousands, putting our oceans at further risk.<\/p>\n
This vote is another example of why we need more FWC commissioners with a strong background in science, ecology and conservation. Candidates for governor, please take note.<\/p>\n
Joe Murphy, Brooksville<\/p>\n
A drowsy Florida driver plows over cyclists. Guess who gets blamed? | May 17, Column<\/p>\n