Speak Your Piece: National Police Week — backing the blue!
This is National Police Week, a time to talk about those keeping us safe everyday: Police, narcotics officers, immigration agents, sheriffs and security guards on the job 24/7.
During Police Week, we’ve seen and heard public tributes, including the annual wreath laying yesterday, this Police Memorial Day. It’s a time to discuss the vital role law enforcers play in our criminal justice system, including the awful rise in violence against police.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen an increased disrespect for the police, side-by-side with an increase in crime and violence. And we’ve also noted much of the disrespect comes from unusual suspects — even elected officials who’ve taken an oath to uphold the law.
Without our criminal justice system, without the law-enforcement community, our society would be more dangerous, rampant with crime and mayhem. And we’ve also seen outright violence against our police. They’ve been attacked, shot dead in their patrol cars, punched, pushed, and shoved by young punks in New York City and more. Can you imagine a time when only lunatics did that?
Last week’s big story was about a couple of New Jersey legislators and a mayor who elbowed their way past ICE officers in Newark, attempting to get into a federal facility, while rejecting police commands. These are grown-ups, elected by their peers. (Homeland Security labeled it a “political stunt.”)
But here’s a kicker — the next day they were supported by a calmer group locking arms, singing, but still blocking the entry. This took place in front of the same federal facility holding illegal immigrants convicted of crimes, some heinous, some not. Clearly, the legislators and the “calm” folks were advocating for the law-breakers, not the law enforcers.
Why? That’s a question for another day.
Instead, let’s take a breath, and thank our law-enforcement community and, especially, our local police officers for doing their jobs faithfully and courageously.
Pat Wandling hosts “Speak Your Piece,” from which this commentary is adapted, weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.
