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Tampa Tribune

January 5, 2004

Reprinted with permission of the author. All rights reserved.

LETTER
Reforms are needed

Thank you for reconsidering your position on Baker Act reform (Our Opinion, Dec. 28).

In 1998, my husband, Seminole County Deputy Sheriff Eugene Gregory, was shot and killed by Alan Singletary, a man who had a history of mental illness.

And so began my journey into a new world - a world advocating for Baker Act reform. Joining with me have been Seminole County Sheriff Donald Eslinger and Alice Petree, Singletary's sister. Improvements in services are still hampered by our outdated laws. The Baker Act was created 30 years ago, when we knew less about mental illnesses.

My husband's death changed my life forever. And unfortunately, this type of tragedy continues, and that breaks my heart.

Baker Act reform is a public safety issue, but even more, it offers a humane way to provide treatment and support to people who have illnesses that impair their decision-making. We owe it to them to provide services that will enable them to have a quality of life that is their right as American citizens.  

LINDA GREGORY
Enterprise