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Parent tells Pinellas Park council of alleged mishandling at recreation center; city to follow up
Summary
A parent told the Pinellas Park City Council that city recreation‑center staff suspended their child and that police later visited the family’s home after staff reported concerning statements; city staff asked the speaker to provide contact information for private follow‑up.
A parent described a November incident at a Pinellas Park recreation center, saying staff suspended the child after an incident and allegedly failed to notify the parent while police later came to the family’s home. The speaker said staff reported statements by the child about self‑harm and showed police body‑camera footage that, the parent alleged, showed officers and rec‑center leadership treating the matter casually and searching municipal records in a way the parent characterized as profiling.
“Not once did he ask, ‘Is my son okay?’” the parent said, describing the body‑camera audio and how they were later told staff had found the child violent. The parent said they have video they offered to share with the city and asked for guidance and assistance from council.
City staff responded during the public‑comment period that they would seek the parent’s contact information and attempt to address the complaint privately. Council members thanked the parent for speaking and reminded citizens that staff can be contacted by email for follow‑up.
The council did not take formal action during the meeting. City staff indicated they would reach out to the speaker to discuss the account and any evidence the family said it would provide, including body‑camera and rec‑center video footage. The council meeting agenda continued with other items after staff offered to follow up privately.
Next steps: City staff asked the speaker to leave contact details so staff could investigate and respond. The city did not announce a timeline for that follow‑up during the meeting.
