Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 9-11-15 Edition

Features
Mayor Moves Forward With Citizens Review Board
Murder Victim Was Typical Teen With Future Plans
MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The City of Tampa began
accepting applications for
membership on its newly
formed Citizens Review
Board on Thursday. The
deadline to submit an appli-
cation is Thursday, October 15th.
Last week, Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Tampa Po- lice Chief Eric Ward an- nounced the creation of an 11-member Citizens Review Board. The City began ac- cepting applications to fill the Board on Thursday.
Mayor Buckhorn said City Council Chairman Frank Reddick initiated the idea of a Citizens Review Board at the behest of activist groups. “Under the Charter, City Council does not have the authority to set up the type of committee suggested. Itallhastobedonebythe Mayor. It has nothing to do with me or Frank. Florida State law prohibits Citizens panels from having subpoena power and they cannot inter- fere with an ongoing police investigation.”
The 11-member board will consist of nine voting mem- bers and two alternates. The panel will review cases in- volving use of force and other cases that resulted in an In- ternal Affairs investigation as well as other issues of impor- tance to the community.
Mayor Buckhorn said he wants those serving on the board who are not biased one way or the other and who are serving for no other reason than to make the community a better place.
“We heard the commu-
ERIC WARD Tampa Police Chief
nity’s concerns and are mov- ing forward with a Citizens Review Board that reflects the reality in Tampa. This board will provide an addi- tional layer of community input and transparency that is a valuable asset to Tampa Police Department and the City.
“I intend to appoint a board along with the City Council that reflects the di- versity of Tampa and incor- porates a variety of opinions, backgrounds and neighbor- hoods. I urge all who are in- terested to apply for consideration,” Mayor Buckhorn said.
Board Requirements
Members of the board must: complete the applica- tion; pass the background check; be current residents or business owners in the City of Tampa; agree to serve a 4- year term, beginning Decem- ber 1, 2015; devote a minimum of 3 hours to “ride- a-longs” in each district; suc- cessfully complete the Tampa Police Department’s Citizens Academy; donate necessary time to review cases; attend a minimum of 9 monthly meet- ings; and be at least 18 years of age.
Members cannot hold or campaign for political office; be a City employee; be di- rectly related to a member of the Tampa Police Depart- ment; currently working for any law enforcement agency; or have any prior felony con- victions.
The monthly board meet- ings will be televised and open to the public. The meet- ings will be held on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
By all accounts, Eion Gustitis was a typical teenager. He had just cele- brated his 18th birthday last month and was a senior at Freedom High School. Like many other teens, Gustitis was undecided about a fu- ture career, but he planned to attend college.
However, his plans for the future will not become a reality. His body was found in the 9700 block of Com- merce Street in New Tampa, Sunday morning.
Ms. Terri Clarke, who was close to her nephew said she last saw Eion on Satur- day evening around 5 p.m. When he hadn’t contacted his family, they began look- ing for him. “We started looking for him because it was very unusual for him not to contact us,” she said.
While searching for him Ms. Clarke looked on the Internet and learned about the young man found in the streets. A few hours later, the
EION GUSTITIS 8/13/1997 —- 9/6/2015
family learned that it was Eion. Police said he died of trauma to the upper body.
Born in Montana, Eion was the son of Ms. Carren Gustitis and Jim Gustitis. He lived in New Tampa with his mother and older brother, Oran.
“He was a typical kid. He liked to play football, to chill out and listen to music. He was an aquatic person. He loved everything water, he loved fishing, swimming, anything water,” Ms. Clarke said.
She further said that Eion had talked of becom- ing a tattoo artist, but he also wanted to attend college. “We had talked about the University of South Florida and he was looking at some other places. But, we hadn’t decided on where he was going or what he wanted to do.”
A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County School District said Eion had at- tended Freedom High School for three years and was a senior. Grief Counselor were on campus at the school on Tuesday.
The family had not se- lected a funeral home to han- dle the arrangements of Eion Gustitis. Funeral services were incomplete at press time.
Anyone with information pertaining to the man’s iden- tity is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 873-TIPS (8477). Tips can be reported anonymously and tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A