Editor,
It has been years since I have written to you about issues in St Johns County. However, with the recent exposure of our county regarding the admitted bungling of an investigation involving the death of a girlfriend of one of David Shoar's enforcement officers, I feel compelled to express my feelings on the matter of the exposure, not the death.
Your readers should know that the global news community is publishing this negative and shocking story. Serious negative focus is being directed at our little county nationally and internationally. The recent New York Times front page exposure in a 14,000 word indictment, coupled with one hour of Frontline television exposure, will damage our current struggling tourist industry. The attempts of our Sheriff, through his website, to bail water from his sinking agency reflect his desperation rather than confidence. In the field of law enforcement, the appearance of impropriety is as damning as impropriety itself.
I have been involved in government my entire life. I know the symptoms of its illnesses and in many cases I have learned the cures. Knowing how to get the right people to fix broken, ineffective, abusive, fraud infected or corrupt government is one of my limited talents. Our Sheriff's department is out of control and now the whole world knows it!
There is little doubt that the present national and international exposure of our quiet little county is going to cause federal authorities to take notice. If they determine that further investigation of the current situation is warranted, they will initiate grand jury proceedings. Those closed door hearings will not be limited to the present situation that has caused us such negative exposure. What we should fear most is that other exposed skeletons will draw us into an even more dismal abyss.
Rarely can one claim, “I can feel your pain.” I can, and it hurts, badly.
Ben Rich, former SJC Commissioner (and Commission Chairman)
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