Laguna Needs Police Explorer Program
* We are all aware that our Laguna Beach Police Department is understaffed. So I was particularly appalled to hear that (Councilman) Bob Gentry, with the support of (Councilwoman) Ann Christoph, has decided to try to get rid of the police Explorer program in Laguna Beach at the City Council meeting Tuesday.
The police Explorers is a program in which young people, up to age 21, assist our Police Department providing volunteer service to help keep our city safe. They helped evacuate Laguna during the fire. They learn firsthand about public safety, public administration and what it takes to keep our streets safe.
This program is good for Laguna Beach and for the young people in our community who volunteer an incredible number of hours of service.
However, Gentry and Christoph have a problem with this because the police Explorers are associated with the Boy Scouts of America, and the Boy Scouts of America are opposed to having gay troop leaders in charge of young and impressionable Scouts. I’d say Gentry is obviously trying to impose his personal preference on the citizens of Laguna Beach again, and at the expense of our public safety.
Call your council representative and let him or her know what you think about this issue.
Better yet, attend the council meeting on Tuesday and support the police Explorer program.
STEVE BRIDGES
Laguna Beach
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