By Doc Clements
When I drive through our neighborhood or surf through the internet, it is very common to see signs for support of the police or posts supporting the blue. In recent months, we have all seen the rise in violent crime in our neighborhoods. And, now more than ever the state and local police truly need our support as their very lives are being threatened. They need more than a sign or a post.
State and local departments are understaffed. We need to hire more qualified applicants to assist in the job that needs to be done. Attracting more qualified applicants will require that the job is made financially attractive for this high-risk profession. Frankly, legislators are paid $94,000/yearly for 120 days work and the biggest risk is parking in their reserved parking spot. The average police officer makes $55,000 yearly.
I respectfully submit that, as I am opposed to the recent pay raises the legislators have granted themselves. Those dollars should have been earmarked for law enforcement. If you are going to campaign on supporting the Blue, then it is imperative to put the money where your rhetoric resides. Let’s support the Blue. Pay existing officers a salary consistent with the risk of the job. Allocate money for hiring new officers and stop spending those needed funds looking multiple times under rocks for suspicious ballots.
Our police departments require the addition of ancillary staff that can assist them handling the rampant cases of mental health issues prevalent in our society today. We are asking them to deal with issues outside the domain of their training and level steep criticism when they make mistakes. I compare it to asking a dentist to perform an appendectomy and suing when it goes bad. The nature of law enforcement, like so much in our society, has changed. As taxpayers we must recognize the need to improve our police departments or continue to watch the violence grow.
Yes, I am saying that it is going to cost more money. In the past several years, we have all watched the legislator throw tax dollars around like Monopoly money. Money that could have been well spent improving law enforcement. Hiding a billion dollars in gas tax to pay for Pennsylvania State Police is just a gimmick. The legislature must make a serious commitment to law and order. As taxpayers, we will be required to pay more tax dollars to obtain quality law enforcement. A slogan of support is a kind gesture but will not get the job done!
Author: Amaury Abreu
