We’ve seen Tampa make the national news before. Hurricane cross-hairs. Super Bowls. National political convention. Swing-state, I-4 Corridor anchor city. But nobody saw this one coming. It has nothing to do with Amazon’s “HQ2.” It has everything to do with community fear.
Over the last fortnight, Tampa has become a staple of online and network news. It was the lead item on Sunday’s NBC network newscast. Probably others too. A serial killer has apparently been stalking Seminole Heights. Three murders in 10 days within a mile radius. It’s resulted in unlikely national air time for interim police Chief Brian Dugan and Seminole Heights incoming neighborhood association president Steve Zinder.
The shooting deaths are connected, say police, without saying too much. A lanky, semi-strutting “person of interest” glides through surveillance footage like some hooded, suspicious specter.
Making matters worse, Halloween is just a few days away. We all know the implications.
The anxiety and stress are palpable. The need for collective security and community solidarity has never been more acute. Porch lights on. Nobody walks alone. You could be a victim–or a suspect.
But by all accounts, “Tampa Strong” doesn’t look like a bumper sticker. It’s being lived.
There was a candlelight vigil for the victims–a black man, a white woman and a Hispanic man–that was accompanied by a police escort. Code inspectors are out looking for possible hideouts. City crews and TPD are working the alleys, removing debris and patrolling. Officers are escorting students home from school. The Tampa branch of the Guardian Angels is on patrol. TECO is replacing street lights. Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Chief Dugan were prominent at Monday’s community meeting at Edison Elementary School on east Curtis Street. Their mission: preach calm as well as caution. Being on edge is understandable, being careless is not. No weak links.
This is not some DOT matter or gentrification issue. This is life and death. This is now about caring, vigilant neighbors and collaborative community policing.
And at some point, this will all, mercifully, be behind us. But when that happens let’s remember that community ties are ongoing and solidarity doesn’t require an existential threat. In that way, good can be the upshot of evil.
Not that we needed reminding, but we are Tampa strong. And all Tampa lives matter.
Not that we need reminding, but Mayor Bob is Mayor Bob. “This is personal,” underscored Buckhorn. “We will hunt this SOB down.”