A behemoth new $81 million dollar “Pinellas County Public Safety Complex” now sits on a forty acre site at 1075 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Five integrated structures were designed by Harvard-Jolly Architects, who have been drafting plans for buildings in Pinellas County since 1938. The Public Safety Complex is nearing completion, having been built with materials capable of withstanding a category 5 hurricane. This would enable the Sheriff’s Office to remain fully functional in winds exceeding 200 mph, as well as the other natural forces of a 10,000 year storm event.
The complex is massive, consisting of 266,782 square feet of space. It is impossible to miss this imposing structure, since it is augmented by a 300 foot tall radio communications tower. The Public Safety Complex does not lack amenities. In addition to a command center, an armory and logistics room, there will be a dormitory, kitchen and cafeteria.
The administrative buildings sit next to a new four story parking garage designed for 687 covered parking spaces. These will be supplemented by an additional 566 open parking spaces, which are located on the same parcel of land. Ironically, the Pinellas Public Safety Complex parking garage is simultaneously being constructed at the same time as construction of the new Clearwater Justice Center Garage. Both construction projects have been delayed beyond their originally announced anticipated completion date. Both are being financed through the Penny for Pinellas referendum.
By far, the largest agency to occupy the the new structure will be the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Their consolidated communications center will handle 9-1-1 emergency calls, requests for EMS service and regular radio dispatch service to patrol deputies. The complex will include Pinellas County’s new Emergency Operations Center which will be relied upon in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.
What Can We Expect From Doubling the Size of the Sheriff’s Facilities?
Both County Commissioners Karen Seel and Nancy Bostock have expressed worries that “the complex was being overbuilt.” Pinellas Commissioner Karen Seel has been quoted as saying “It seems like an enormous sized building. We’re essentially doubling their space.” Yet, a September 11th, 2012 article in the Tampa Bay Times speculated that the new building would not have much of an economic impact on the city of Largo “since there will only be a few dozen more full time employees working there.” Our office believes that it is misguided to suggest that it will be “business as usual” over at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. You should consider the following:
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The newspaper’s prediction of a minimal increase in the workforce was made during the recession and well before the economic recovery we have been experiencing;
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After reviewing the original building plans, County Commissioner Nancy Bostock revealed to Tampa Bay Times reporter Kameel Stanley that “there’s an awful lot of training rooms;”
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In January, 26 new deputies were sworn in. At the same time, an additional 21 new recruits were progressing through the five month long law enforcement academy; See: Staffing Pinellas Sheriff’s Office is a Growing Challenge
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Earlier this month, Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri submitted an amended spending plan to the Pinellas County Commissioners seeking to add an additional $15.3 million dollars to his budget; and
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The PSCO is currently seeking to hire another Human Resources Specialist to their staff. They are also actively making efforts to fill a host of open employment positions. These include Certified Law Enforcement Deputies, Criminal Justice Specialists, and Information Technology Managers who are capable of coordinating large multi-divisional projects. See: PCSO Job Postings;
Given all of the available evidence, it seems clear that the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office intends to hire new personnel to fill their available space and to spend their increased budget on expanded law enforcement operations. As we see it, the only way to justify a greater use of tax payer resources, is to make more arrests. The question then becomes, “where can the PCSO direct its increased law enforcement capabilities in a manner that will be politically popular with the general public?”
New Facilities Likely to Augment Sheriff’s Top Priorities
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has made it no secret that his top priorities include capturing individuals on outstanding Pinellas arrest warrants and ensnaring individuals who commit child sexual predator offenses. See: Traveling to Meet a Minor Becomes Number One Priority for Pinellas Sheriff. This year, his agency has already conducted two child predator sting operations aimed at arresting individuals for the felony charges of “Traveling to Meet a Minor,” and “Seduction of a Child using the Internet.” When not engaged in “to Catch a Predator” tactics, the Sheriff’s detectives appear to be focusing their attention on individuals involved in the online sharing of child pornography. Persons being arrested for “Possession of Child Pornography” are likely to have been initially identified during the course of the earlier sting operations.
It is a certainty that the new Sheriff’s Office will be outfitted with multiple computer “boiler rooms” similar to the artist’s rendition appearing to the left. These high tech facilities will be designed to:
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Provide for a comprehensive communications center which will better integrate 9-1-1 response with the dispatch of law enforcement and emergency medical personal;
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Create a designated and permanent work environment for those detectives assigned to child predator and child pornography investigations.
Since his reelection campaign, Gualtieri has kept his campaign promise to conduct at least one DUI Checkpoint per month. In addition to applying his new resources in a campaign directed at offenses committed against minors, the Sherriff will undoubtedly use his newly acquired equipment, additional personnel, and increased budget to further ramp up DUI Checkpoints. See: DUI Roadblocks and Sobriety Checkpoints in Pinellas County, Florida
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Possible Options in Prescription Fraud Cases: www.floridaprescriptionfraud.com
If you Have Been Denied Social Security Disability Benefits: www.mydisabilitylawfirm.com
Highly Experienced Pinellas Personal Injury Lawyer: www.injuryorarrest.com
Questions Regarding Florida Ignition Interlocks: www.floridaignitioninterlocks.com
Related Links:
Pinellas Offers $3,000 bonus to Recruit Deputies
Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri Hires Deputy With Checkered Past
Pinellas County Public Safety Complex PID 1635 Project Summary
Understanding the Pinellas Consolidated Dispatch System
If I Live in another State, Will Florida Extradite me on a Pinellas Warrant?
Pinellas DUI Checkpoint Illegal
Avoiding the Perils of Publicity after Arrest in St. Petersburg / Clearwater
Pinellas Courts to Remain Open Despite Disasters or Emergencies
The Importance of Knowing Who is Your Pinellas Judge
Pinellas Sheriff Orders Removal of Online Booking Photos
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