Tiff Over Cameras Not Trivial
Joe Henderson, Tampa Tribune (Florida)
Regardless of their party affiliation or stance on the issues of the day, elected officials have one thing in common. They demand to be taken seriously, and it can get testy if they believe that’s not happening.
For the latest example of political snit-picking, we refer you to a Tampa City Council workshop Thursday to talk about 78 downtown security cameras. The cameras were left over from the Republican National Convention, and council members expected Mayor Bob Buckhorn to have representatives at the meeting to brief them on what’s next.
They expected to see Police Chief Jane Castor and City Attorney Jim Shimberg. What they got was Police Capt. Mike Baumaister, who couldn’t answer some of the pointed questions members had. They weren’t pleased.
“For the administration to totally ignore that request was embarrassing,” Councilman Frank Reddick said Friday. “Up to this point he has done a good job keeping us informed.”
Or there was this from Chairman Charlie Miranda: “My opinion is that I just hope they understand council members want information.”
Let’s back up a second here. The issue of what to do with the cameras is important and deserves a thorough public airing.
But the matter of bruised egos and hurt feelings isn’t necessarily a trifle. Communication between the council and the mayor’s office always seems to be an issue, dating back to when Dick Greco and Pam Iorio ran things.
“I have gone out of my way to be as open with them as possible,” Buckhorn said. “But on this issue, there is no decision to be made on their part for at least a year. This is an administrative function, not a legislative function.”
Translation: The mayor says this is his call.
The cameras were installed downtown as a defense against anarchists or other mischief-makers during the RNC, paid for by a federal grant to help Tampa with security expenses. The city gets to keep them. Reddick, among others, wants Buckhorn to consider moving some of the cameras from downtown to higher-need areas such as parking garages or Ybor City.
He said he would consider that, but added, “We have heard the cost of moving those cameras can be very expensive.”
The city is preparing a report on the cost. But in the meantime, Reddick said, “Yes, he has the total and final say where the cameras will go, but we should have some input. This should not be a one-sided conversation.”
Buckhorn said council members were given a tour of the communications center where the cameras are monitored and thought that was enough for now. Guess again.
“It was totally a mix-up on their part,” Reddick said.
We’ll know more on Oct. 4, when the next workshop on this issue convenes. Presumably, all the invited parties will be there this time to answer questions.
“Hopefully they’ll show up out of respect,” Reddick said. “There are still a lot of items the mayor needs council to attend to.
“I’d hate to see them delayed.”
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