The city of Port Richey is losing its police chief, and its fire chief could follow suit.

  • City budget proposal would consolidate police, fire chief positions
  • Citizens concerned about cost cutting measures due to area crime

“I’m standing my ground, marking the sand and saying that this should not occur, this can’t occur,” said Robert Lovering, Port Richey Police Chief.

Lovering, a 32-year police veteran, is hanging up his another badge after just two years with the department.

At issue is a controversial budget proposal by the city's mayor that would have a public safety director position absorb the police and fire chief positions.

Fire Chief Timothy Fussel said he believes the public safety director position is a bad idea, and he's concerned for the continued safety and employment of his fire fighters.

Chief Lovering feels the same way.

"Currently we have a sergeant and two officers work a shift," said Lovering. "[The mayor] has made it clear he would like it to be just a sergeant and an officer."

Lovering says the budget issues have already caused some of his officers to look for employment elsewhere.

"As of today, we have seven officers, one new today that has applied to another department," said Lovering.

Hearing about this has some citizens concerned.

"I think we need more police to be honest with you," said Port Richey resident Dominick Casamento. "In this area there's a high crime rate."  

“That just makes it feel like this city is not anything anymore, it's going down," said resident Ashley Vaughan. "It makes me feel like I shouldn't even be living here."
 
The Port Richey City Council has not yet made a decision on the public safety director position.

Lovering’s resignation will officially take effect in October.