Price of gasoline and police patrols

Several police agencies have publicly stated that they will begin to have officers curtail their mileage to conserve gas. My only thought - neighborhood patrols prevent burglaries. And traffic enforcement is paramount for safer streets. I never was a big believer in writing traffic tickets. I let a lot of drivers off with a warning and now I KNOW I was wrong. Unruly or fast drivers will only follow laws if you hit them and hit them hard in the wallet. Sometimes I dream that my city create a reserve force and we only work traffic. I know two things - aggressive drivers would stop their nonsense and my hand would hurt from all tickets that I would write.
Anybody disagree?

DeKalb Airshow

Over the weekend I went to Peachtree DeKalb Airport for an airshow. DeKalb County Police and Fire were there with a lot of equipment. I was AMAZED at the size of the police helicopter as opposed to the one I rode in when I was in the Academy. Things have changed a little.

Also, I spoke to a doghandler officer, Mary who was very friendly. After telling her I was on the force in the 70's she told me that the female officer that was in my class is still on the force! We started 32 years ago. Good for her.
I will send a message to her and send a copy of my book. God bless her and the others that patrol the streets to keep us safe.
John Fedack

Memorial Day

I read a very nice article written by Archbishop Wilton Gregory (Atlanta Archdiocese) where he talked his gratitude to the fallen service members. His article said what you would expect, that we should always remember the brave men and women who were killed protecting America.
But, then he said we should look at 'first responders' and be grateful to them for the service. He is right. When there is problem you call a police officer. When you get hurt in an accident it is the fire fighters and EMS who come to help you.
I am sure my opinion is biased but from my police days I KNOW for a fact that if these brave men and women were not there pandemonium and anarchy would rule. Look at Katrina.
John Fedack
June 4, 2008

Walking a beat versus riding in a police cruiser

I read over the weekend that the Atlanta Police Department is assigning new recruits to foot patrol. If they are paired with an experienced officer I think this a great idea.

The new police will get to know the citizens faster and make a great impression on the neighborhood. I walked as a University Police officer in downtown Atlanta for a couple of years. You learn to pay attention and always know what is going around you. I enjoyed walking a beat.

But, when I became a DeKalb County officer I was always in a car. It is a suburban county and you needed a car to go each call. The good news was DeKalb always had the fastest cars, the most powerful service weapons (Colt .357 magnum revolvers) and the best training. I was very proud to be a DeKalb officer. I think it is still the same - DeKalb is among the best agencies in the US.

The image above is the model I drove from 1976-1980.

http://www.protectingsharks.com/

John Fedack