Lehigh Acres Gazette tried to get an interview with Sheriff Mike Scott about issues in Lehigh Acres. After a volley of emails back and forth we received the following from Public Information Officer Tony Schall, “The Sheriff declines your request for interview.”
This community has issues, murders, burglars, drugs and even 4-wheel issues, so were are the answers?
Sheriff wanted detailed questions prior to the interview, The Lehigh Acres Gazette has a policy of not doing this at all because you get can responses to the questions. The readership of this newspaper deserve the correct answers to questions.
But now he refuses to be interviewed – what the crap – he is running to be reelection in November 2016 and he cannot get along with the local media and answer some simple question concerning the taxpayers and voters in Lehigh Acres?
Currently the Sheriff is on the war path with Waterman Broadcasting (NBC-2 and ABC-7)
A note from Sheriff Mike Scott: (this was posted on the Lee County Sheriff’s Facebook page)
Last week, the brave men and women of law enforcement dismantled a major heroin operation in our community. The success of the mission was well publicized by the same media that actually risked compromising it before publicizing it. You see, on the eve and eve prior of this operation, Waterman Broadcasting, which is NBC 2 and ABC 7, refused our requests to scrap their story about techniques used in undercover surveillance. Techniques that were in fact being utilized in this major drug bust.
So while some new to town Reporter in a long line of many was writing a story, Vice Detectives were writing Search Warrants. While this Reporter was adjusting the knot in his tie, the last line of defense was adjusting knots in their stomachs as the morning of the high-risk search warrants approached. While the Reporters were fixing their hair and applying make-up to look their best before facing a camera, the cops were securing their ballistic body armor and tactical weapons to preserve their lives before facing grave danger or worse. As the talking heads read the morning news from teleprompters in their bright and insulated studio, the SWAT heroes jumped out of armored vehicles in the pre-dawn hour and busted through the front door of dangerous drug dealers.
We had trouble with Waterman during critical points of the Dr. Teresa Sievers murder investigation too. It seems their unquenchable thirst to be first overrides their common sense and courtesy with regard to the integrity of investigations and the safety of law enforcement officers. I suppose the News Directors make the ultimate decision to not cooperate with us, leaving me to wonder if they would interfere so recklessly were it one of their loved ones murdered, or if the major drug dealer lived on their street.
Our community is a much safer place following last week’s big bust and more will follow despite what appears to be a trend of irresponsible Reporters and reporting in some media circles. It is truly a shame and a growing problem that we face…as if our job wasn’t tough enough already.
-Mike
From Steve Pontius Vice President and GM Waterman Broadcasting; (by emailto the Lehigh Acres Gazette)
Waterman Broadcasting, NBC2 and ABC7, has always supported the on-going efforts of law enforcement throughout Southwest Florida. We applaud the brave men and women who protect and serve.
Last week we were approached by a group of Lehigh residents who were concerned with a mysterious box that appeared on a utility pole in their neighborhood. They were told by the men who installed the box that it was to enhance cell phone service.
One of the concerned neighbors climbed the poll and took cell phone video that showed that the box contained a camera. They brought their concerns to NBC2 for investigation.
We reached out to every law enforcement agency in Southwest Florida for comment. Not one agency would provide us with an explanation or comment regarding the box.
Nothing in our coverage identified the specific location of the box other than to state it was in Lehigh Acres.
Fortunately for the citizens of Lee County, there is a candidate for sheriff that believes “the public has a right to know and government agencies have a responsibility to tell them” what is going on. That candidate is me – Stephanie Eller. Obviously, investigations cannot be compromised, but controlling the media with his bizarre “reigns of silence” should be a clue there is something wrong here. He recently berated and ridiculed the media on Facebook, ultimately mocking our Constitution …..disturbingly, many people jumped on the bandwagon and fed his ego with their support. There is a reason the press is in the 1st Amendment and every one of those citizens that values his or her freedom should have chastised him for his bad behavior. How many of you would keep an employee that won’t talk to you? Citizens, beware of a sheriff (your employee) that will not come to you and remains suspiciously unavailable for any forum, debate, and the Lehigh Town Hall. I will be at a sheriff’s forum in Cape Coral on May 3, 2016 hosted by the Lee Republican Women’s Club. Please feel free to reach out to them or me if you would like more information on this event. It’s time you had a sheriff that puts you first – not his ego.
Lee County is historically known for its natural and cultural beauty. Nowadays, it’s also known for its crime. Sheriff Scott believes crime is “Everywhere USA” and “all relative” and the victims usually have criminal pasts.
I disagree. Many of victims of crimes each year in SWFL are not criminals. Plus, as cops, we have a duty to protect everyone in our community.
Instead of blaming victims of countywide crime, let’s look at the Sheriff’s Office. A $160 million dollar budget but no considerable salary raises in nearly 10 years. We’re over 35 deputies short on road patrol and losing more to better paying jobs by the week.
Some local police at LEOAFFAIRS.com believe the only way to get ahead at LCSO is to pay for a promotion by joining the “$1000 club”. Curiously, the Sheriff’s campaign donation list and recent LCSO promotional list nearly match up.
What happened to promotions based on years of service and achievements?
Morale among LCSO deputies is low. They struggle on $35,294 a year while working a dangerous job for days on end and can barely afford to pay rent or give their kids a nice Christmas.
It’s time for a new sheriff.