[Mpls] An additional comment to the PCRC review of the PS &

[gemgram]

What it smacks of is not Quid pro Quo pro, what it smacks of is getting 
better service for our dollars from employees who have a greater stake in 
their community than just a job.  It also smacks of offering opportunities 
to our own young people.  It smacks of offering positive role models for our 
kids.  Role models who they know and trust.  Yes, what it smacks of is 
getting value for the dollar.

Now some might say that a police officer should not have to live in bad 
neighborhoods, and should move to more affluent neighborhoods when they get 
their middle class pay.  Personally I think that is a bunch of bunk!  Many 
of us who also make that middle class pay check make a conscience effort to 
stay in our communities and make those communities better.  Because they are 
our HOMES, our communities.  Probably that is quality that we do need to 
recruit in our Police officers.  A qualification that is measurable both 
qualitatively as well as quantitatively.  Personally I would rather have ONE 
great cop that is absolutely committed to making HIS or HER community better 
than six cops who come into MY city to do a dirty job, and then go back to 
THEIR world afterwards.  People interested in building THEIR community and 
protecting THEIR people.  The influence of such officers greatly exceed the 
job of cop. It is the influence that changes other young people's lives. The 
role model that leads to different ways of living and thinking.  The role 
model that gives hope! With only those viewed as strangers and "occupying" 
forces it is no wonder officers are feared rather than looked up to by 
children in some communities. We need to change that.

Do we need more police officers?  We sure do, and we certainly need more 
officers from our own communities who think of our communities as their own. 
We need more people from our communities willing to fight an dedicate their 
lives for building and uplifting those communities, rather than just doing a 
job and going home. Many of us "civilians" do so willingly, why should we 
expect less from OUR employees?

We need more police officers because we had TEN rapes in my community last 
month.  Just a statistic to some one who comes to town with a gun, does a 
job and then goes home.  That number probably means a lot more to me because 
I live in that community and women I care for also live in that community. I 
am sure it also means more to any officers who live in my community. If we 
have any!

Jim Graham,
Ventura Village, Phillips Community, City of Minneapolis

>"It is always an utter folly to underestimate the lure and attraction of a 
>great evil.  The whitened bones of their victims litter the highways and 
>byways of mankind's history. Stopped only by the few willing to pay the 
>ultimate price and make a stand."

 - Toe <