This is in response to Mary Becker”s commentary in the Record Bee on June 5 called “Policing the Police.” This piece was a thinly disguised endorsement of the current sheriff and is a swipe against the sheriff”s opponent.
Firstly, since Becker has lived in Lake County for only a short time, she can”t fully know the character and background of our elected and/or appointed public servants … at any level.
Secondly, she shouldn”t compare East Oakland with the environs of Lake County. Perhaps Mary is viewing the natural beauty of our area. This county is not a safe and secure place to live and we want change. And no, we don”t desire to keep it as it is. We will continue to strive toward efforts to effect restructuring where there is a need for same. Sorry to inform you, Mary Becker, but Lake County has its ample share of drugs, gangs and child prostitution.
We”re not saying that law enforcement does not care about the people. But we are saying that current law enforcement serves and protects its own staff in a good old boy fashion that must be repaired by starting afresh with new ideas, new influence and a new sheriff.
You are new here, Mary, and have not realized there is no vendetta against the police or sheriffs staff. We do not hate the police or sheriff”s officers, we appreciate. the officers and what they do to protect law-abiding citizens, However, there are too many instances where the people do not receive first consideration. as to fault while the sheriff officers are protected no matter the circumstances.
As for a citizen/police review board, you”ll find a large segment ready and able to serve on such a board as volunteers, not paid staff. One or two staffers are enough and call serve by appointment. It is difficult to envision board members selected by any law enforcement or other governmental agency placing police haters on such a board. Don”t bring your Oakland experiences to Lake County, Mary, they don”t fit here. My final comment is about a citizen/police review board. Don”t view it as a negative … it just levels the playing field with a transparency seriously needed by this community.
If there is no corruption, then let the public know.
We”ve been kept in the dark for far too long.
Bill Shields
Clearlake
