We've heard it a thousand times. A tourist family or couple is rousted by local police, whether city or county. They write a letter to the newspaper, resolving never to come back.
Our local law enforcement agencies are too often perceived as redneck by visitors.
Their unprofessionalism reflects poorly on our town and does not encourage repeat visits. Whether artist and musician arrests, the parking fiasco or speed traps or just plain gooberishness, our local law enforcement too often act thuggishly.
An increased National Park Service presence will come with the St. Augustine National Historical Park, Seashore and Scenic Coastal Parfkway. Park rangers enforce the law but they also know the territory and give tours. They don't insult visitors, engage in racial profiling, or hassle people from out of town.
With five million visitors a year, do we want tourists to stay more than an hour?
Do we want them to come back?
The National Park SErvice -- there is no substitute.
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