Deerfield-News.com-Deerfield Beach, Fl-Opinion of the publisher.
I do not think our city has had a decision as important as staying or leaving BSO since we switched to them 30 years ago. Then it was good for the city.
The issue is not how well BSO serves the city in policing or our Fire Rescue Department; it is Sheriff Gregory Tony and his cancellation of our contract.
I don’t believe many residents have issues with our Deerfield Beach BSO District, starting with Captain Adam Hoffstein, to our road patrol deputies, detectives, and special units. The issue is not that we do not want to pay our deputies or firefighters a competitive wage.
One would think some BSO deputies would become Deerfield Beach Policemen/Policewomen. We can pay them what is necessary and a fair, competitive wage. We do not need a Sheriff in Downtown Fort Lauderdale telling Deerfield Beach what and how to run our Police and Fire departments.
The issue is that Sheriff Gregory Tony unilaterally canceled our contract and threatened our city manager, which is unacceptable from the chief law enforcement officer, Sheriff Tony of Broward County.
Why would the city enter into a new contract with a man who does not believe contracts should and must be honored? Sheriff Tony is in charge of the Broward County Courthouses. I would like him to tell any Broward County Circuit Judge that contracts do not matter.
A deal is a deal, and a contract is a contract.
If Deerfield Beach does the right thing and once again forms our Police department and Fire Rescue department, we will not be beholden to Sheriff Tony or any future Sheriff; the city will be in charge, as it should be.
Many of our neighboring cities, Boca Raton, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Delray Beach, and Lighthouse Point, all have run their police departments and do it well.
Mayor Drosky and Commisioners I know this is not an easy subject; it is a very serious government decision you gentlemen have to make.
Do the right thing. SAY NO TO BSO!
This is the opinion of Deerfield News Inc. and Publisher Howard Levy not that of our advertisers or sponsors.
