Since you're the expert. . . . adventures in vagrancy

[Dawne]

“Since you’re the expert on police procedure, why don’t you tell me
what to do about it?”

Thus ended the frustrating exchange between one of BSO’s officers and
yours truly this evening. I admit, I was pressing the officer about
what is to be done about our growing vagrancy problem, and I was
appalled to watch this deputy send a man who was clearly under the
influence of something right over to the beach. Watching this, I
walked over to the three officers and said, “Excuse me, gentlemen,
where did you just send that man?” The officer answered, “To the
beach.” We exchanged words, and I expressed my frustration at the
fact that while every other city seems to have come up with a way to
solve this issue, Pompano cannot seem to manage. The words above were
the officer’s reply to me.

Surely, there was a more civil way to respond to me, a taxpaying, law-
abiding citizen. Right off the bat, I can think of several more
appropriate responses:

1. “I know it’s frustrating, ma’am.”
2. “If you have any suggestions, I’m sure that BSO would be happy to
discuss this issue with you.”
. . . . and on and on. Really, is this so difficult?

Don’t worry, I have already expressed my concerns to the powers that
be at BSO. I am hopeful that this situation will be addressed.
Excuse me, these situations - the vagrancy issue as well as the P.R.
issue that BSO is sure to have if this sort of behavior on the part of
its deputies continues.