Current state of law enforcement
Editor,
Having been in the active law enforcement profession for nearly 40 years, I feel impelled to comment on the current state of law enforcement that I have observed during my career. America’s police are some of the most educated, professionally trained and highly regulated police officers in the world. I never cease to wonder at the dedication and selflessness of our sons and daughters who have volunteered for public service in a profession that, at times, is under-appreciated.
The loss of two New York City Police Officers to a cowardly assassin should be a time of reflection on the many sacrifices our police officers make to protect the public. In my career, I have witnessed incredible bravery and sacrifice by our police officers to bring to justice criminals who break our laws. It grieves me to see some of our highest elected officials create an atmosphere that fosters distrust of our police. Yes, our profession is not without a very small percentage of personnel who have proved unfit for service.
Yet, the solution of some of our elected officials is to paint, with a broad brush, that our police are untrained and insensitive. Indeed, some legislators want to force police to carry around video cameras to monitor behavior. Really? There is no need for video-profiling of police, and I would hope our legislators understand that police are not the enemy, but our sons and daughters who have made many unselfish sacrifices to keep our public safe.
When law enforcement officers die, as recently happened in New York City, the very fabric of society is torn. Many wonderful citizens have spoken to us voicing their support for the police. I would hope that our elected officials are listening.
David C. Massey, Ed.D.
Editor,
Having been in the active law enforcement profession for nearly 40 years, I feel impelled to comment on the current state of law enforcement that I have observed during my career. America’s police are some of the most educated, professionally trained and highly regulated police officers in the world. I never cease to wonder at the dedication and selflessness of our sons and daughters who have volunteered for public service in a profession that, at times, is under-appreciated.
The loss of two New York City Police Officers to a cowardly assassin should be a time of reflection on the many sacrifices our police officers make to protect the public. In my career, I have witnessed incredible bravery and sacrifice by our police officers to bring to justice criminals who break our laws. It grieves me to see some of our highest elected officials create an atmosphere that fosters distrust of our police. Yes, our profession is not without a very small percentage of personnel who have proved unfit for service.
Yet, the solution of some of our elected officials is to paint, with a broad brush, that our police are untrained and insensitive. Indeed, some legislators want to force police to carry around video cameras to monitor behavior. Really? There is no need for video-profiling of police, and I would hope our legislators understand that police are not the enemy, but our sons and daughters who have made many unselfish sacrifices to keep our public safe.
When law enforcement officers die, as recently happened in New York City, the very fabric of society is torn. Many wonderful citizens have spoken to us voicing their support for the police. I would hope that our elected officials are listening.
David C. Massey, Ed.D.
Chief of Police
Ocean Pines Police Department
Trash collection needs attention
Editor,
According to my County Commissioner, Chip Bertino, the county was operating at a deficit for trash collection. We can all understand that this needed some attention to reverse the problem. What I can’t understand is that every fee for trash collection remained the same as last year except for the homeowner permits.
Clearly the tons of garbage put into the landfill by the professional trash collectors far out way the amount put in by the residents that choose to haul their garbage to one of the county collection centers.
I do not feel that the county has represented the homeowners very well in this change. I can appreciate that increasing the fees to the professional garbage collectors may cause an increase to residents that use their service. But shouldn’t the increases be spread across all users of this county enterprise?
The homeowner permits had a 20 percent increase just a few years ago. Following that with a 66.7 percent increase does not seem like a fair way of solving the county deficit problem. Another look at this solution is needed.
To be fair, the county did add a "pay as you throw" option, but this does not provide a reasonable alternative for year round residents. It may provide a very good option for part time residents and maybe even rental units.
Bob Prandy
Ocean Pines
Editor,
According to my County Commissioner, Chip Bertino, the county was operating at a deficit for trash collection. We can all understand that this needed some attention to reverse the problem. What I can’t understand is that every fee for trash collection remained the same as last year except for the homeowner permits.
Clearly the tons of garbage put into the landfill by the professional trash collectors far out way the amount put in by the residents that choose to haul their garbage to one of the county collection centers.
I do not feel that the county has represented the homeowners very well in this change. I can appreciate that increasing the fees to the professional garbage collectors may cause an increase to residents that use their service. But shouldn’t the increases be spread across all users of this county enterprise?
The homeowner permits had a 20 percent increase just a few years ago. Following that with a 66.7 percent increase does not seem like a fair way of solving the county deficit problem. Another look at this solution is needed.
To be fair, the county did add a "pay as you throw" option, but this does not provide a reasonable alternative for year round residents. It may provide a very good option for part time residents and maybe even rental units.
Bob Prandy
Ocean Pines