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Residents tell Largo commission state officers intimidated a home visit; others report repeated burglaries and rally plans
Summary
Several Largo residents used public comment on Oct. 7 to allege intimidation by state officers who visited a resident after she mailed a postcard to a state official, to report repeated home burglaries, and to thank police for event support; the mayor asked staff to investigate and return with follow‑up.
Multiple residents raised complaints during the public‑comment period at the Oct. 7 Largo City Commission meeting.
Kathy O'Gara told the commission two men in plain clothes and vests marked "police" came to her door Oct. 1 seeking her husband about a postcard he had mailed to the state chief financial officer. O'Gara said the officers showed the postcard and told her husband, "you are not in any trouble," but she described the visit as intimidating and said her 11‑year‑old granddaughter was frightened. "They were sent to intimidate," she said, and asked the commission to "refuse to comply in any way with these unconstitutional actions by the state and or federal officers." The mayor asked staff to look into O'Gara's concerns.
Donald Hudson, who identified himself as a Largo resident of 39 years, supported O'Gara and said the visit was "trying to intimidate". He also announced a peaceful First Amendment rally planned for Oct. 18 at Largo City Park and thanked Lieutenant Mike Blickenstorf of the Largo Police Department for assistance with event safety.
Other residents raised additional public‑safety concerns. Jara Bonanno said her home has been burglarized repeatedly and she asked the Largo Police Department for help; Vice Mayor Holmes asked the city manager and police chief to follow up. Greg Gardner used his time to criticize city spending and enforcement around specific properties, raising broader neighborhood safety complaints.
Commissioners requested staff follow up on O'Gara's report of the state officers' visit and on Bonanno's burglary allegations; the city manager said staff had engaged with Bonanno previously and would provide further contact.
