CARROLLWOOD - Residents of Carrollwood Village shared concerns about traffic, safety and loitering when they met with Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister in an open forum last week.
The audience went through a list of topics, drilling down to speeders, lack of flashing lights for pedestrian crossings, and blind curves during a 90-minute session June 19 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.
They left with Chronister's word that he would do what he could where he had the authority and reach out to others where he didn't.
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An issue he said he can address was raised by Diane Rao, a resident of the area since 1984.
"Nobody uses a stop sign. Can you see it is enforced?" Rao asked, calling the problem especially bad when church services let out.
Chronister said he would try to have extra deputies in the area on Sundays, but noted that the Sheriff's Office has 240 fewer patrol deputies than it needs.
The sheriff said a new park opening in October in Carrollwood Village also will bring more deputies into the area because one feature will be a fitness training center they will use. This increased presence can help stop traffic violators and people hanging around the park after hours, he said.
"Where you see deputies' cars, you see a lot less loitering," he said.
Crosswalks are the responsibility of Hillsborough County government, not the Sheriff's Office, he he still pledged to help.
"The sheriff's office isn't in control of crosswalks but we will work with you," he said. "We will advocate for you."
He asked Maj. Kristi Poore of District 3 in northwest Hillsborough County to work with her team on addressing the residents' list of issues.
"We hear you loud and clear," Chronister said.
Dr. Bonnie Salazar from Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School asked Chronister to explain plans for improving school safety in the wake of a mandate by the state Legislature earlier this year to add security officers on all campuses.
"There's nothing more important than protecting our young people," Chronister said.
He drew applause when he said he is opposed to arming educators.
"If we have to arm our teachers, as a sheriff, I've failed," he said.
A deputy or Tampa police officer will be at every campus when school opens in August, Chronister, and some will be replaced later by school safety officers. Many of these officers will be former law enforcement personnel or former military members trained by the sheriff's office.
Also attending the Carrollwood forum were Chief Deputy Donna Lusczynski; state Sen. Dana Young, R-Tampa; state Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa; Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan; and Rick Valdez, director of Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation.
Chronister, a Republican, has served as sheriff since Oct. 1 when he was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to replace Sheriff David Gee, who retired one year into his fourth four-year term. Chronister will face Democratic opponent Gary Pruitt, a former Tampa police corporal, in the Nov. 6 general election.
Chronister praised those people who turned out for the forum for getting involved.
"You guys have a great community; keep it that way," he said. "Give us a call phone call when you see something."
Contact Lenora Lake at hillsnews@tampabay.com.