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Volunteer Program Ends On A Sour Note

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: December 6, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY FL - NEW PORT RICHEY FL - NEW PORT RICHEY FL - They were standing tall in late July. The 18 volunteer park rangers began regular patrols then in Pasco County parks.

But after only about four months, the park ranger program abruptly ended Nov. 29, although the county might resurrect it in some form.

"I am sorry to report that the Pasco County Ranger Patrol will cease operation due to a lack of support from the park director," Chief Patrol Ranger Paul Van Schaick, wrote in his Nov. 29 letter to county commissioners.

The Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department director, Frederick J. Buckman, responded later.
"I was and am certainly a strong supporter of this program," Buckman said. "I specifically recognized the rangers at our volunteer luncheon and initiated (a) resolution recognizing them.

"We plan to try hard to keep the program alive if we can find a way, but Paul's initiative and leadership was important, so we must seek new leadership."

The focus will be on providing public information and assistance, Buckman said. The ranger program will remain a volunteer effort, the parks director added.

"Paul apparently had demands of our department and its staff, including myself, which we could not meet within his requirements adequately," Buckman concluded.

"Paul's leadership will be missed and we thank him for his initiative to start this program. We would like to work with Paul again. Paul was the lead volunteer."

By Thursday night, Van Schaick said he had "received a conciliatory communication" from Buckman.
"I have come to accept and understand his position as he communicated it to me. As they say, better late then never. It is just such a shame it had to come to this only by the abolition of the ranger program."

Earlier in the day, though, Van Schaick had expressed some bitterness.

Government agencies tend to "resent outsiders," Van Schaick said. Government workers "are forced into mediocrity, maintain a low profile and get to the retirement," Van Schaick believes. "So, I will simply disappear into the woodwork. I will stay with volunteering for my church."

In his original letter about the end of the ranger program, Van Schaick wrote "there is too much crime being perpetrated in our parks, and management is not availing themselves of the over 100 years of law enforcement expertise available free to them" among the ranger volunteers. Van Schaick himself was Massachusetts State Police officer.

"Our top members represent retired police chiefs, state police detectives, sheriffs department command staff and federal ranger law enforcement officers. We have served as a crime prevention deterrent, all at no cost to the county."

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