Police Officers Need Citizens’ Support
* I read with amazement the comments of Patrick T. Maher and his perception of police officers in our current society (Letters, Sept. 11).
Apparently Mr. Maher does not recognize the fact that crime is more rampant now than anytime in our nation’s history. Criminals are more violent, gang-related crimes reach almost every neighborhood and drugs are openly sold in schools and locations in every city.
Police officers not only see this daily, but they are often victims of this violence and are injured on duty now more than ever. In addition, police officers are frequently the targets of unscrupulous attorneys and liberals looking to file unwarranted lawsuits for financial gain or publicity.
These types of individuals have no conception of the true meaning of justice and of the barriers that prevent police from doing their jobs.
To make our streets safe in the 1990s, law enforcement needs the support of its citizens and civic groups. It does not need counter-protective second-guessing and undermining (of) their effectiveness.
TED HOLST
Seal Beach
Ted Holst is a police sergeant in Long Beach.
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