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Long arm of law uses his feet

The Largo police chief is taking walks for a competition and to show residents the benefits.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published February 16, 2007

LARGO - The prescription for a healthy community might be the same as for a healthy lifestyle.

Get out and walk.

So this week, Largo police Chief Lester Aradi is hoofing it around town for two causes.

One is to rack up steps for a walking competition between local law enforcement and fire officials.

The other is to connect with the community.

"As long as I have this challenge and I have to do additional walking, I might as well use it as an opportunity to be walking around the community," Aradi said when he announced the walks.

Through Wednesday, Aradi had led lunchtime walks at Taylor Park, near Crispers restaurant and near Keystone Mobile Home Park.

The walking competition is part of an upcoming celebration called Step Up Florida and Pinellas on the Move. Officials from Largo, Clearwater, Seminole and Pinellas County also will compete to see who walks the farthest and teams with the highest averages will be recognized at the celebration on Feb. 24 at Taylor Park.

While his walk along Clearwater-Largo Road on Wednesday didn't draw many public participants, it did spur curiosity and attention from motorists, workers and residents along the 3.3-mile route.

"Why are all of you ladies following him?" asked a woman hanging out with friends near Belleair Village Motel pool.

Aradi stopped to say hi, explain his mission and wish the woman and her friends a nice stay.

On Monday and Tuesday, Aradi was joined by 10 to 12 residents.

But Wednesday, he was mostly flanked by city officials and employees, including City Commissioners Mary Gray Black and Gigi Arntzen and two bike-riding members of the Largo's Problem Oriented Policing unit.

He also was joined by his wife, Diane, and two of her friends.

Fitness instructor Arleen Rowen and former Mayor Bob Jackson also marched along.

Jackson said he wanted to get back into a walking routine.

He also planned to bend Aradi's ear about a "No U-turn" sign downtown.

Aradi led the group from Keystone Mobile Home Park, north on Clearwater-Largo Road, across the street to Clearwater Trailer City, through the park, down Clearwater-Largo Road to Belleair Place apartments, through the apartment complex, and back to Keystone.

Along the way, he stopped to shake hands and chat with residents and business owners, including Ted Stoupas at Ted's Luncheonette.

During his walk through Clearwater Trailer City, Aradi handed resident Cynthia Seay a pedometer. Seay, 47, said she has a disability and her doctor wants her to walk.

"This will give me an incentive," she said.

She said she wished Aradi and his team were visiting to get drugs out of the park.

As Aradi and the group headed out, Seay said, "I met the chief. That's cool."

Fast Facts:

Want to walk?

There's one more chance to walk a beat with police Chief Lester Aradi. Here's where to meet for a one-hour walk at noon.

Today: In front of Chili's Grill & Bar, 5430 East Bay Drive.

[Last modified February 15, 2007, 23:51:05]