Barrow Journal

“Law enforcement officers are never ‘off duty.’ They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place the peace is threatened. They need all the help that they can get.” - Barbara Boxer

It’s easy to get annoyed with or angry at the police. They do things we don’t like, such as give us traffic tickets and drive the speed limit – which means when they’re around, we have to drive the speed limit, too. Unlike firefighters and paramedics, police get a bum rap because they have duties, a lot of duties, that don’t involve direct, obvious heroism. It’s easy to give the guy running into the burning building a pat on the back. And, in the middle of a medical emergency, who doesn’t welcome the sight of an EMT? Police - well, we aren’t always so glad to see them.

The other night I got annoyed with the Winder Police. It was late; my house was dark and quiet; I was watching a movie. Suddenly, there were blue lights flashing in my windows and my dogs were barking at the traffic stop on the street outside. Those lights kept flashing for what seemed like a long time and when I looked out to see what was going on, the officer and the woman he stopped appeared to be chatting – not discussing a traffic ticket, simply chatting. So, I called the WPD to see what was going on. If no one’s getting a ticket, then please, take those bright lights on down the street away from my house was my message. [Full Story »]