Published on Tuesday, October 18, 2005
in the Ft. Myers News-Press

Put end to trooper shortage

Floridians are used to — and no doubt tired of — endless demands for more tax money to be spent. But here's an increase that is unquestionably reasonable and important.

We need more highway patrol troopers to help local agencies curb the state's highway deaths. Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature have failed miserably to keep the patrol's manpower up with the growth in population and traffic.

Meanwhile, traffic deaths are soaring. In Lee County, for example, 122 traffic deaths have been recorded this year, breaking the record set in the full 12 months of 2003 and almost double the number who died last year by this time.

The evidence of state neglect is striking. A three-part special report concluding today in The News-Press found that:

• Florida ranks next to last in the United States for the number of highway patrol troopers per capita.
• Fewer troopers patrol state roads than in 2003.
• They arrest fewer drunken drivers and cite fewer seat-belt violators in Southwest Florida than they did five years ago.
• The time troopers spend on the roads hasn't increased in five years.

Overworked troopers are so backed up investigating crashes that have already occurred that they have way too little time to patrol for reckless drivers, who sometimes turn I-75 into a Roman chariot track.

Pay is an issue. Last year, the Legislature increased pay by an average of about $800 per year per trooper, half what the FHP says it needs to keep its well-trained officers from leaving for better paying agencies. Recruiting is suffering; 10 percent of the FHP's authorized slots sit vacant.

Local agencies are left to try to pick up the slack. Lee County commissioners this year gave Sheriff Mike Scott money for 44 new deputies, with traffic a high priority. Meanwhile, the Legislature cut 26 FHP positions.

Enough. Patrolling the interstates and other major highways is a fundamental state responsibility recognized everywhere in America. Tallahassee has failed grievously in its duty, and people are dying every day because of it.

Demand that the Legislature and governor provide more and better-paid highway patrol troopers.