Ron Sansome and his wife Becky Algeri thought they were doing their civic duty when they spotted a possible DUI driver on the road in Pinellas County on their way to work. They called 911 and were sent to the Clearwater Police Department where they reported a driver who was weaving all over the road before dawn. They were told to stay a safe distance from the driver and an officer would be sent to investigate the situation. Moments later the couple saw not one but three Pinellas County Sheriff’s cars at a gas station but none of the cars pulled out to pursue the possible DUI driver. (read more)
The reason none of the sheriff’s deputies responded was simple, they never got the call. This was the result of a communication breakdown that is rather common. When calls come in to Pinellas’ 911 call center they are routed to one of many dispatch centers and with 24 different law enforcement agencies in the county the information doesn’t always make it to each jurisdiction’s officers. The fix is easy but would cost $1000 per patrol car and that price tag seemed too steep when first discussed in 2004. It might be time to address it again.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Pinellas County, please do not hesitate to contact David Haenel at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourpinellasarrest.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact David via email or by stopping in our Clearwater office located at 4500 140th Ave. North #203.