Calling All Cars

 “Serving as a police officer is the toughest job in our country. As they put themselves on the line to keep us safe, they deserve our gratitude and support.”

William Barr, former Attorney General of the United States

One of the great pleasures of my retired life is the close connection I have maintained with many of the fine police officers and sheriff's deputies with whom I served. Yesterday, in an uncharacteristically full day of extroverting, I got to spend time with two of my favorite former co-workers, with a chance to listen to their thoughts on how law enforcement has changed, and how it has remained a tough job done by tough people.

And, I had a few margaritas.

I had this in mind when, this morning, I read about the protest in Downtown Denver after the passing of Luis Garcia, a sixteen year old shot near his school several weeks ago. By all accounts, Mr. Garcia was a dynamic young man with a bright future, someone who should be looking forward to spring break. Instead, it is up to his friends to rally in support of the idea that school is a place of learning, not a battleground.

It is in the American tradition, expressed by Senator Ted Kennedy at his brother Bobby's funeral, that we see wrong, and try to right it, see suffering and try to heal it, see war, and try to stop it. The young men and women, marching in the streets of Denver today, are following their birthright - to honor their friend by marching for change.

One need not be solidly in one camp, nor another, on the subject of gun laws to see that there are those individuals who cannot be permitted to possess any kind of firearm. Whether they have proven themselves incapable of following the law, are still too young to understand their rights and responsibilities, or are the victims of some unfortunate mental infirmity, reasonable restrictions have been recognized since our country was formed. I happily dismiss extremists on both ends of the spectrum and settle firmly within the majority of Americans who agree that there are things about which we can agree.

(However, comma...)

The Colorado Legislature will, in it's limited wisdom, pass laws that limit a citizen's right to keep and bear arms. There is some discussion about raising the age of gun possession to twenty-one, to enforce waiting periods and things of that nature. Of course, there are a multitude of laws that already curtail those rights - concealed carry requirements, guns that are illegal to possess, limits on how they can be sold and to whom. There are the major statutes, making it illegal to murder someone. The list goes on at length. There is only one problem.

Enforcement of these laws falls on the police, those same individuals and organizations that so many have chosen to vilify. With respect - how many of today's protesters against "gun violence" would also embrace aggressive, albeit legal, proactive policing in their community targeted at those individuals who are the source of violence and mayhem? Does anyone believe that there will be a "Police Our Community" protest in which large swaths of the anti-gun marchers also participate?

Another of my favorite former co-workers sent me an article today in which a police administrator suggested that officers respond to property crime calls with "lights and sirens" to deter and dissuade suspects from completing, or even contemplating the activity that is epidemic in our neighborhoods. It would "Increase the visibility of our police department," the chief said. "Many of the criminals don't fear death. They fear incarceration."

Imagine that. I think I learned that at the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy. In 1979. Police aggressively, honorably and for the benefit of your community. That's how crime and violence decline.

Let's demand that from our local governments.