Comunity: Dont forget people in blue
July 3, 2008 · Updated 10:20 PM
With the war on terrorism on the front page every day, our attention is focused on the struggle of military members deployed overseas and their families at home. And rightly so: we collectively send care packages, e-mails and letters because we understand the sacrifice these military members and their families make.
As the holidays approach, there are others out there for whom we should be thankful: our law enforcement officers.
The everyday job of our law enforcement officers takes place in an ever-changing and unpredictable environment. What you think might be a simple traffic stop is fraught with potential hazards for an officer: firearms, drugs, knives, needles, unruly individuals, rubbernecking drivers and cold weather are all real threats on a daily basis.
Your safe neighborhood is not a self-fulfilling prophesy, it is a result of the hard work and dedication of those in blue who toil daily with a myriad of community issues.
The stigma of law enforcement as bad guys comes from the very limited interaction that people have with police officers: generally a speeding ticket or other minor offense. As you see a police officer this holiday season, make your encounter with law enforcement a positive experience: thank them for their sacrifice.
Michael Schearer
Oak Harbor
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