From: Dehede011@aol.com
Date: Sat Sep 14 2002 - 09:19:00 MDT
In a message dated 9/14/2002 10:06:42 AM Central Standard Time,
bill@wkidston.freeserve.co.uk writes: Recent research has indicated that
better street lighting reduces street crime more than surveillance cameras
and is much cheaper.
Bill,
I see the police equipment being installed in my community and I do
have questions. I see nothing that disturbs my standards of civil liberties
although I have heard of such things. In addition, I obviously have no
problem with improved law enforcement. But, still I have a nagging question.
Are all the squad cars, radios, etc., that we are seeing necessary or
are they bought because the funds are available?
The other thing that is bothering me is the increasing militarization
of our police department. I am referring to the helmets, flak jackets, etc.,
but also to the tactics used in ordinary arrests or even traffic stops. In
our area if a driver is stopped on a non moving charge he is ordered to stop
his engine, remain seated and put his hands on the dashboard -- is this
anyway for the police to treat ordinary citizenry.
My biggest problem with these tactics has to do with the effect the
tactics have on our relationships with the police department. Every police
department I ever heard of say they require the good will and support of the
citizenry to get their job done. My question is what damage are they doing
to that relationship with those tactics.
One more and it is a purely personal gripe. I hate to see a policeman
in uniform jumping the line at the check out counter at the local grocery
store.
Ron h.
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