Yet another Rape Ignored Another serious question about Bobbie Ward

Below is a copy of a public information records request concerning the covered-up/ignored rape of a South Tampa resident. A fellow citizen is attempting to display how the TPD has participated in this behavior before the onset of the story of the Gasparilla victim currently in the news. This seems to be an emerging pattern and perhaps it is part of an ongoing attempt to lower the # of rapes (reported or recorded) in Hillsborough County. Therefore it really isn't that much of a reach to wonder if in a similar fashion this is what caused the murder, robbery and assualt stats to drop almost drastic levels.These are only two we know about. Imagine the ladies and young girls who don't step forward. Imagine the robbery victims who are discouraged because like one friend of mine was told: it doesn't matter if the police get a picture of the perp, it doesn't help a thing. I hear different from judges but you have to get to the judge somehow. When a police officer refuses to file a report of a crime or to investigate one --- where does that leave the citizen?

I left the names (with permission) but did remove other personal information. Please encourage the TPD to allow Serious Lewis to seek an independent audit and while you are on the phone ask why they have not investigated this rape.

Does it seem that the police are blocking the gate for justice?


First Name: Lee
Last Name: De Cesare
State / Province: FL
Country: United States

Service Type: Police

Subject: Public Information

Message: Police Chief: Page one of La Gaceta had a comment on the TPD's mistreatment of a rape victim. This would be the second mistreatment of a rape victim that I know of by the Tampa Police Department. The first was Bobbie Ward. From the day of her rape, the TPD cooperated with the sexists at MacDill to trash her and cozen the rapist. MacDill promoted the rapist and tried to get Bobbie to resign. The Tampa Police Department promised to reopen her case and didn't. Bobbie gave the name of the man who she believed raped her, and the TPD did not even interview him. You promised at Tiger Bay to review her case and didn't. Now it seems we have another mistreated victim by the Tampa Police Department.

I want to see the record of this second victim's treatment. I want to see record of the Internal Affairs' treatment of the misconduct of the police in this matter. I want to see any written material about this rape cited in La Gaceta. That is all public information and comes under the Florida Public Records law.

Please don't foot-drag. The law says you must provide the information in a timely fashion or that you must give me in writing an explanation why you do not. lee drury de cesare


Serious Lewis: I am calling on you to renew your call for an independent audit of the Tampa Police Dept's statistics and reporting and to help hold the city authorities accountable for their actions toward all citizens.

On behalf of the two known rape victims and others who have been mistreated, I think the truth would be a good start.