Crime in 'the Compound'; DeSantis' dubious tactics: Letters to the editor, March 19, 2023

'Compound' issues must be addressed

I am writing to encourage all residents of Palm Bay to attend the upcoming March 30 meeting regarding the ongoing issues in the Palm Bay "Compound."

For too long, this area has been a hotbed of unlawful activity, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, property damage, and strain on our police and fire departments.

While increased patrols have been attempted in the past, this has only provided temporary relief. It is clear that new, innovative solutions are needed to address these challenges, and this meeting presents a valuable opportunity to explore these options.

Technologies such as gunshot detection systems, drones, and cameras have the potential to alert the city to crimes being committed in the compound, allowing for a rapid response to dangerous situations. These tools, when implemented correctly, could serve as a force multiplier for our law enforcement personnel, enabling them to effectively address the safety concerns in the area.

Moreover, the human toll of the current situation cannot be ignored. People have been beaten and left for dead, and two teenagers were tragically found dead just a few months ago. This simply cannot continue.

I urge all members of the community to attend this important meeting and voice their opinions. We must come together as a community to find new solutions that will improve safety and security for all residents of Palm Bay.

Thomas Gaume, Palm Bay

Tolls could have saved time, money

I was here when we had tolls on State Road 528. I believe there were four toll booths, which were torn down over 30 years ago.

As I see the condition of State Road 528, the need for six lanes from I-95 to A1A, the need for a bike path, the need to raise the causeways so we once again get water flow, the more I think we should have kept the tolls, like Orange County did. If we'd done that, maybe we would have our six-lane road and a high-rise bridge on State Road 401, over the west part of the Port. Maybe we would have nice roads, instead of the pot-and-patch we have now.

We are looking at years until we get six lanes on State Road 528; years until we get the high-rise bridge on State Road 401.

If only we had been paying tolls all these years, maybe these large construction projects would have already been completed.

Bob Socks, Cocoa

We need bike path, not new sod

In response to all the Brevard County commissioners' wants, listed in FLORIDA TODAY on March 12: All of these incumbents should be voted out of office for wasting taxpayers dollars.  Especially the wastefulness of taxpayers dollars in the repaving of Interlachen Road in Suntree.

This street is almost as busy as I-95 with all of the traffic. A bike path should have been included with the repaving of Interlachen, instead of digging up all of the grass on both sides of the street, and then replacing all of the grass with new sod. What a waste of money. A bike path was needed so much more than new sod.

Nancy Juhn, Melbourne

More:Torres: No surprise, state wants Crosley Green back in prison

Many care about Crosley Green

I really wanted to write about book banning. There was a great article on the topic in a recent edition of FLORIDA TODAY and I wanted to keep up the pace of presenting messages against banning books from school libraries.

However, the March 10 edition has led me to instead write a few words about Crosley Green and the article written by John Torres, who has been following Green’s life and writing about it.

I, too, have been following the cycle of Green’s life. Torres’ article was heart-wrenching. Readers know how much Torres cares, and he has made us care as well.

Read the article.

Susan Zwieg, Merritt Island

GOP tactics and limiting rights

Florida Senate Bill 1316 was filed to require any blogger who writes about Gov. DeSantis, or any member of his Cabinet or Legislature, to file registration paperwork with the state — or face fines.  This kickstarts Republican plans to engage the conservative majority Supreme Court in overturning the longstanding 1964 libel ruling that set the bar high for defamation lawsuits involving public figures.

Florida Republicans and wealthy conservative donors are widening the Second Amendment to include open and concealed carry without training or permits.  They now have their sights set on limiting First Amendment freedom of speech, whether it's a state attorney, corporations (like Disney), or you and me.

The Republican Party used to be known as champions of the Constitution. Nowadays they are more likely to trample on the Constitution than protect it.

DeSantis's latest attack on free speech is straight from the autocratic playbook of Orbán and Erdogan — big favorites of CPAC, Fox News, and Tucker Carlson. Enabling deep-pocket litigants to fill the courts with libel cases against people without the legal or financial resources to fight back.

It’s no secret DeSantis doesn’t respect freedom of speech or the press. When running for reelection, DeSantis' campaign would not grant interviews to "unfriendly" press, barred national press from some campaign events, and in Iowa last week, had Trump supporters removed from his book signing.

DeSantis says, “Florida is where ‘woke’ goes to die." Florida is also where constitutional protections are canceled by authoritarians like DeSantis, and his complicit supermajority.

Jeff Dorman, Satellite Beach

Trump, the 'Confidence Man'

Donald Trump has initiated his push for the 2024 Republican party presidential nomination, ignoring potentially serious criminal charges that could land him in prison. Despite unlawful actions, he still has many supporters.

For those interested in knowing the true tenor of Trump, I suggest reading Maggie Haberman's book, "Confidence Man," as she reveals documented, verifiable evidence of his unacceptable behavior throughout his presidency.

Trump renounces negativity directed towards him with claims of "fake news," often in the face of proof to the contrary. Trump's credo: If you tell the lie often enough, it becomes the truth, befitting his actions as a pathological liar. Trump rejects responsibility when his actions go awry, invariably blaming others, chastising them with profanity laced diatribes. The braggadocio he exhibited on "The Apprentice" TV show in firing people was showmanship. During his presidency, Trump avoided face-to-face confrontation by dispatching underlings to convey the message.

Trump demands loyalty, yet it's one-sided as he's quick to abandon allies when it no longer benefits him, casting aspersions on former colleagues.

These are a few character traits exposed in Ms. Haberman's book; there are many more. Trump's a disturbed, vengeful man whose extreme narcissism is a ruse for his equally extreme insecurity.

Gregory W. Hewitt, Melbourne

'Ketchup' on the latest gun news

I don't know about you all, but I can't wait to strap on my leg holster, drop in my Colt 44, go to Publix, flip it around and have some  one yell "Draw" in the ketchup aisle as I reach for the last jar.

This legislature, led by Gov. DeSantis, is so quick to ban books, curriculum and abortions, but seems reluctant, to put it politely, to do anything that will eliminate gun violence.

So, Florida, get ready for the once-safe trips to grocery stores being laced with Wild West gun owners clamoring to be able to open-carry a firearm that he or she got with no background check and no safety training.

It will be a whole new shopping experience. I, for one, am going to get a gun. I want to protect my right to buy ketchup before it's banned by the governor as being a leftist food grown by critical race theorists.

Joe Tierno, Melbourne Beach

This one's a head-scratcher

Maybe someone can help me decipher this.

State Rep. Rob Harris of South Carolina sponsored the South Carolina Pre-Natal Equal Protection Act, which, if passed, would make women in that state who get an abortion eligible for the death penalty.

Many Republicans in Congress then turn around and want to repeal sensible gun laws.

The hypocrisy is overwhelming and it should be obvious that life has multiple meanings. Leave women to determine their own decisions concerning their own bodies. Protect America by ramping up gun laws.

C’mon, America, start making sense.

Laura Petruska, Melbourne

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Crime in Palm Bay's 'Compound': Letters to the editor, March 19, 2923