The LAKER
ee r F
EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
DECEMBER 24, 2014
Body cameras coming to Pasco By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
We’re your orthopedic connection. If your bones are aching for relief, count on Bayfront Health Orthopedics. We’re a system of more than 50 orthopedic specialists and seven hospitals, here to get you back to your active life. Learn more today at Bayfront.com.
BROOKSVILLE • DADE CITY • PORT CHARLOTTE • PUNTA GORDA SPRING HILL • ST. PETERSBURG • VENICE Patient results may vary. Consult your physician about the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure or treatment.
LEND YOUR
EARZ
TM
Many law enforcement agencies around the country continue to debate whether they should have patrol officers wear body cameras — but the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office isn’t waiting any longer. More than 400 deputies and investigators will be equipped with body cameras in February, a movie Sheriff Chris Nocco said would make neighborhoods safer for deputies and the people who live in them. “This is not the panacea,” Nocco said during a news conference last week.“This is not going to be the cure-all for all the issues of our world. But it’s a tool, just like any other tool that we use in
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTOS
The Taser Axon cameras, as Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy Kristina Perez explains, can record up to four hours of video and audio, and has a battery life of 12 hours. More than 400 cameras are being ordered for deputies to start using in February.
law enforcement.” The sheriff’s office is in the process of ordering 415 sets of Taser Axon cameras, which can be mounted on glasses, hats, shirt fronts, collars, lapels and other locations on a deputy.They record up to four hours of video and audio, and have a battery that lasts 12 hours. Deputies will turn it on whenever they get out of their patrol car to interact with the public or investigate a crime, Nocco said.At the end of each shift, deputies connect their camera to a docking station to upload each video. Once it’s in the system, they cannot be manipulated, and deputies will not be able to edit them. It’s the kind of system that will not only provide transparency in how deputies interact with people inside See CAMERAS, page 5
A visit with
Santa
Participants sought for Hearing Aids in noise study. Deadline extended thru Jan. 23rd Free loaner hearing aids, exams and follow up care in exchange for your opinion of a new invention.
813-782-5395 Zephyrhills
www.GardnerAudiology.com
Auto Accident? Slip and Fall? FREE CONSULTATION
No Fees Or Costs Unless You Win HOLLIDAY KARATINOS LAW FIRM, P.L. HelpingInjuredPeople.com Call Attorney
JIM HOLLIDAY 813-868-1887 “I Will Aggressively Fight To Protect Your Legal Rights”
15316 Cortez Boulevard Brooksville, FL 34613
Walk-Ins Welcome
THE BIG NEWS IS HERE! CHECK OUT PAGE 7 FOR DETAILS.
FRED BELLET/PHOTO
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills was abuzz with activity during its annual Tree Lighting ceremony. More than 50 trees were decorated – one to represent each state and some to represent a variety of community organizations, as well as the hospital itself. Ten-month-old Jude Hamm sees eye-to-eye with Santa. The infant was there with his mom, Ashley Hamm. Check out the Chancey Road Christian Church live Nativity scene on page 5.
Miscarriage: Often a hidden grief for families By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Reina Flores-Robinson said she and her husband had not been trying to start a family when she learned she was pregnant. But as soon as they found out, they began making future plans for their baby. The infant’s due date was Dec. 24, but Flores-Robinson had a miscarriage last June. There had been complications early in her pregnancy, Flores-Robinson said, but she’d been to the emergency room and had checked out OK. Because of those previous complications, though, Flores-Robinson was nervous when she and her husband,Tim Robinson, went in for their first scheduled ultrasound in June. It was a supposed to be a happy occasion. Her mom and her grandmother came along and waited outside, while FloresRobinson and her husband made sure everything was fine. Once the technician got started, though,
Flores-Robinson knew something was wrong.The technician confirmed there was no heartbeat. “I just tell people, ‘It’s one of the most painful silences you’ll ever hear,’” FloresRobinson said. The couple had pictured this Christmas Eve as a joyous time, celebrating the holiday with their new baby, she said. Instead, they found themselves faced with enormous grief. “At first, it was just hard to even understand, just the initial shock,” she said.“I have an amazing doctor. He told me,‘You’re going to recount every step you took because you’re going to try and figure out what you did wrong.’ He said, ‘I’m going to tell you there’s nothing you could have changed and nothing you could have done differently. You’re never going to find an answer to it.’ “That, I have to remind myself time and time again,” Flores-Robinson said. She has gone through various emotions, including sadness, guilt and anger. While See GRIEF, page 5
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO
Reina Flores-Robinson holds a candle that she and her husband plan to light on the anniversary of their child’s due date each year, and a sonogram picture of the baby.
WELCOME BACK PARK RESIDENTS! CHECK OUT YOUR PARK NEWS, PAGES 8-10