Pasco Sheriff Expresses Concern about New Port Richey Finances

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco been following recent news about the city’s dire-sounding financial situation and shared his concerns with Patch Friday.

“We enjoy a great working relationship with the city of New Port Richey, “ Nocco said. But he said that “when or if” the New Port Richey Police Department’s budget is cut, “they’re going to lean on us for help.”

“If they are cut, that means that they won’t have the resources to be as effective as they are today. ...It just means (the Sheriff's Office is) going to have to step up our game,” he said.

In the face of ugly , department heads were asked months ago to outline ways to cut their budgets by 10 percent to slim spending in the upcoming fiscal year. City staff present their first draft of the fiscal year 2013 budget to the City Council next month.

The city has not unveiled its list of proposed cuts yet. New Port Richey City Manager John Schneiger said that “it’s premature” to comment on proposed cuts.

He has said at public meetings that layoffs in the city are likely and services could be affected.

Schneiger pointed out that residents indicated police services were highly valued by residents in a . He said that it’s “highly improbable” that sworn officers would be laid off.   

Schneiger said he doesn’t think there's “any reason to be concerned” in regards to the proposals for the police department budget.

On Tuesday, Schneiger sent a letter telling department heads not to discuss potential layoffs with employees until the budget is formally presented to the city Council.

The city will be making an announcement about possible reductions next week, he said. There’s been no final decisions made on the matter, and final say rests with the city council.

The Sheriff's Office and city police department already partner up, Nocco said.

New Port Richey Police Chief leads the sheriff’s . The 55-person SWAT unit includes Pasco sheriff's deputies and officers from the New Port Richey police department.

Nocco, who is running for a full term as Sheriff in the upcoming election, pointed out that the Sheriff’s Office assists the police department with calls for service and works with them on some operations. The city police department has a detective embedded with the Sheriff’s Office vice and narcotics unit.

Nocco doesn’t know what New Port Richey is proposing budget wise for police.

“If they are cut, we know that we are not going to allow the citizens to be put in a position where crime escalates, so we’re going to do everything possible to assist the city of New Port Richey," Nocco said.

Being proactive is an important part of law enforcement, Nocco added.

“There’s a breaking point,” Nocco said.

“If they cut their resources back, there’s going to be a point where all they’re going to be able to do is respond to calls for service,” he said.

Nocco said Steffens and his officers are “outstanding.”

But if the budget is cut, “As great of a chief as Jim Steffens is, as great as the cops are, they’re going to be put in a foxhole,” he said.