Leesburg, others can cut costs without layoffs

Leesburg has had the highest crime rate (per capita) for at least a decade. I know that you’re thinking it’s because Leesburg police officers are lazy and aren’t doing their job(s), but I would add that they generally have the highest clearance rate (crimes solved) than any other agency in Lake County as well. Population doesn’t always equal crime. If you want to see how much real work a police department does, just check their “calls for service” and compare that with their number of officers. That tells the tale. Leesburg has more cops because the public/tax payers/citizens constantly request police assistance. The next time you see a police officer/deputy from outside Leesburg ask them who they think the busiest police department in Lake County is. And then ask how much money they make and compare it with Leesburg. Let’s take Clermont for example, since you brought it up. Their starting salary is over $35,000 while Leesburg’s is at $33,800 (LCSO, Lady Lake, and Groveland are around $36,000). Also check “top-out” pay. A Clermont sergeant tops at over $70,000 annually. Leesburg sergeants top at $58,260. Leesburg PD also has at least 17 police officers who are, and have been topped out for years, not getting raises to help offset the increasing cost of living. You might not be fond of them, but they work hard to earn your trust and support, and they aren’t being compensated at nearly the same rate as their counterparts in other jurisdictions. I would also add that Leesburg PD hasn’t had 73 officers for years. They can’t get people to come work for them because of the heavy work load and mediocre pay. Hmm, should I work for Lady Lake PD where people actually appreciate the police and pay me more, or should I work for Leesburg PD where the “citizens” spit at you and yell “@%$* you” as you’re driving by for less pay? No brainer. Not only is Leesburg PD having trouble finding new employees, they can't keep the ones they have. You should honestly consider giving them a break.
Check the crime rates for yourself:
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/UCR/2007/CoM...
My rant is over. I’m a little more worried about the issues at the top of the food chain. I still don’t know the specifics, or how to find them out, but it is apparent that Leesburg was illegally charging Lake County for something. Lake County took it to court and Leesburg lost. It seems to be hush-hush so I can only assume somebody in Leesburg management made a million dollar screw up. Now they are scrambling to offset the cost at the expense of the poor saps at the bottom of the food chain.

I would request that the above poster (R Hix) not try to use my name or likeness. Thanks.
Rob Hicks

Why is everyone complaining about the police? You complain but that doesn't stop you from calling @ 2 in the morning when you hear a strange noise or a dog is barking to loud! The call outs & crime measure the amount of police you need along with the annex of land. I don't hear about the long breaks or the mis-use of other departments. Why? Because they bring in money to the city & that would be horrible taking from a department that brings money in! Nevermind the rapes, home invasions,drug dealers, perverts & murder.And people wonder what is wrong with our Country today?

The problem is some of the police. They sit around doing nothing while some of the others truely do work. I see many of them not doing much. Hell, I see some of them on their shift working at their house or ones they rent. Do we really need that many officers? I don't think so. Same goes with fire. How many fires do we have? They show up at EVERY little accident whether a fender bender or serious one. Sounds like a waste to me. Then they drive their big rigs all over to go eat. That's a waste of gas. Staff them centrally and then leave others on call. IT's not like the county can't assist and even like the fires over at Cadillac, county and leesburg were there.

I agree with the above about Jay and Jakki. Since when does a mediocre HR director who basically is around for just training deserve over 100K? Since when does one make more money then utility or even IT directors?

Then you have a newbie city manager who can't even grow a set of balls when talking to the commission. I remember when Ron would take a stand against them and people RESPECT that. Rumor is now they are cutting pension benefits now. The one thing the city was decent to work for and they are throwing that out. We are turning into a UMATILLA!

Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex-still paying for it
Griffin Rd Gymnasium-still paying for it
Blackberries (w/monthly service fees), Nextels & City Vehicles for Directors-?$$$$?
City Manager ~$135k salary and how many weeks paid vacation?
Fourteen Department Directors ~$1.2 million in salaries
Assistant/Deputy Directors $600k in salaries
$750 swans
Childrens' Play Area at City Hall

Question for the Leesburg City Commission and Leadership Staff: Can we count on you to keep coming up with more ways to waste money, give frontline employees the shaft, and pack your own pockets? If the past is any indication, I am confident you can handle it. Keep up the good work!

"Though Clermont serves more people, it spends less than half of what Leesburg does on a police department. And it has nearly half the crime, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which keeps major crime statistics.The cost difference between Clermont's $631,590 budget annually and Leesburg's $1.3 million is an unfathomable gap."
In reference to the above quote from Ms. Ritchie's column.
The reason Clermont spends less than half of what Leesburg does on a police department is because Clermont refuses to buy/upgrade decent equipment. Most of the equipment at Clermont is so old and outdated it doesn't work half the time or if it does work, it does not work properly. The officers don't have equipment needed to do their jobs correctly. Take a look at equipment issued to Leesburg officers and Clermont officers and I bet you would see a huge difference. I also don't believe that Clermont has a lower crime rate. It appears not all stats are being reported to FDLE.

Anon wrote:

"Though Clermont serves more people, it spends less than half of what Leesburg does on a police department. And it has nearly half the crime, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which keeps major crime statistics.The cost difference between Clermont's $631,590 budget annually and Leesburg's $1.3 million is an unfathomable gap."
In reference to the above quote from Ms. Ritchie's column.
The reason Clermont spends less than half of what Leesburg does on a police department is because Clermont refuses to buy/upgrade decent equipment. Most of the equipment at Clermont is so old and outdated it doesn't work half the time or if it does work, it does not work properly. The officers don't have equipment needed to do their jobs correctly. Take a look at equipment issued to Leesburg officers and Clermont officers and I bet you would see a huge difference. I also don't believe that Clermont has a lower crime rate. It appears not all stats are being reported to FDLE.

Where did you get your numbers? Neither of the two budgets noted are even close to correct.