I hesitate to respond to a citizens” letter to the editor as I recognize everyone has a different perspective on life, law, and the art of compromise. I feel obligated to respond to Mr. Brookes letter to the editor dated March 19, 2008 in the Record-Bee.
The California Highway Patrol has zero input on articles printed in the paper. Citizens” violate the law; we arrest them, and process them according to the law and our internal policies. Journalists have access to certain information based on the Freedom of Information Act, and they alone decide what they consider news worthy. They also decide where to place the article in their publication. In addition, any citizen can access the Lake County Sheriff website to view persons entered into the system.
The Clear Lake Area of the California Highway Patrol has eight officers who were born and raised in Lake County. Highway patrol persons are taught in the 26-week academy to treat everyone with respect, dignity, and fairness. Mr. Brookes implies that arresting someone for driving while intoxicated is not a real crime. From 2001 to 2005, an average of 1,285 California citizens” died each year on our roads due to the actions of an intoxicated driver.
In Lake County approximately 50% of our fatal traffic collisions each year involve persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As a citizen I encourage officers of every agency to do their very best to remove people from the road who are under the influence. I prefer to see a living law violator on the front page of any publication, to a picture of a drunk driver or their victims” mangled body who was involved in a collision.
Lt. D.R. Hayward
Commander, Clear Lake Area
California Highway Patrol
