In these tumultuous times we hear that phrase and instantly think of so many recent events that evoke unrest and a negative
view of our police. I live in a small community in the middle of nowhere so to speak and we have a fairly tight nit community. The kind where you know or are familiar with most everyone. So for me those words mean so much more. I have friends that are local police officers as well as county sherifs. I know that corruption can be anywhere, I have experienced it in other small communities I have lived in, but this one has been wonderful. This is what the phrase Officer Involved Shooting means to me now.
Like I said this is a small community, we have a county fair at the end of summer, where all the locals enter their canned
goods giant zucchini, monster pumpkins, cow's, sheep, bunnies and so much more. The majority of the kids either enter items or just go to see everyone before returning to school. To see friends that they didn't see over summer. It is a meeting place not only for them but for us adults as well. The last hurrah before fall they have a outdoor dance on Saturday and live music and performers throughout the weekend.
This last fair weekend I ran into a lot of familiar faces including a few of our local officers. We sat at picnic tables eating corndogs, burgers and fries watching kids play and feeling safe. The sun was hot and the humor was not to be avoided. We talked about how lucky we felt to live in such a place, we talked about our kids and our excitement for their return to school, and many other subjects. We laughed as we parted ways to get more food or round up our kids. Now the school year has started and everyone is back to being busy and only seen in passing.
About four AM this morning my phone wakes me up ringing and buzzing with TXT alerts and messages form the school. I
wonder what could be so important to send me messages this early, its not winter no snow to cause a cancelation. It's not even cold enough for ice. As I read the message my heart sinks. Fear rises in me as I read the message. School is canceled due to a Officer Involved Shooting.. What this cannot be not in my small town! Yet there are the words, I continue to read early this morning as a officer tried to stop a suspect for selling heroin and methamphetamine this suspect led police on a chase bailing out of the vehicle before it stopped and then began firing at police, the suspect is still at large. Please stay inside with your doors locked. This happened right next to our middle school, and only blocks form my home.
Upon reading this all I could think about was who I knew that worked the night shift. I could see his kids his face and his wife. Now I know most people would instantly question the reports. The media has caused such a rift in our trust that this is where so many minds go instantly. We need to take back our trust we need to get out and talk to these men and women that put their lives at risk to protect us and our property. We need to quit listening to the TV and walk out on our stoop, our front porch and talk to each other. You will find that if you get to know someone you might just like them and trust that they are there to help you.
When your home is broken into you will need to call someone that will be their for you someone you can trust. We need to overcome the fear the media has instilled in us, and talk to those that will come to our aid in a time of crises. We cannot continue to live in a us vs. them mentality we need unity now more than ever.
The suspect in this case started firing as soon as he exited the car, he left the car as it was still rolling to run into someones only car. Now they have a crashed vehicle and an insurance claim they cannot afford. Luckily no shots entered anyones home killing an innocent person, or child. This could have been much worse.
What I am saying is if we show them our support and get to know your neighbor, and local law enforcement they may feel safer we may feel safer. If we all feel safer then the likely hood of corruption will decrease. If we know our neighbors we will build the support systems so criminals will not be able to operate in our neighborhoods. Our neighbors, our local officers they have family just like us we need to join together to hep put a stop to criminal activity and police corruption, but we can only do that by getting to know one another.
Go talk to your neighbors, meet the police that patrol our streets introduce ourself our kids to them put a face a family behind that address. See how something so small can change things. We are all in this together lets make a positive change.
Thank you for taking the time to read this I hope that you find inspiration to become a closer community or neighborhood.
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You bring up a good point. I don't exactly have to go out of my way to say 'hi' to a policeperson, quite a few of my neighbors are on the force.
I am a firm believer that if you know your neighbors and create a community within your neighborhood and show respect and dignity to them, as well as those that put their life on the line to protect us we would live in a much safer and better country.
I agree. When you respect, you earn their respect.
could not agree more. It is a mutual thing. With everyone we encounter, especially with someone that is going to put themselves in harms way for our safety.
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