Questioning conduct of Glendale's finest
Just when I thought we had reform under Police Chief Randy Adams,
I look at the front page of the News-Press on Sept. 16 -- two
meat-stick cops harassing homeless or day laborers attempting to make
an honest buck without stealing or panhandling.
As an expert in police procedures, I see "illegal" "Terry"
searches, pat downs, hand-twisting, misapplication and abuse of
discretion. Generally, it is a cowardly act, and this department
needs to be ashamed.
Remember the Montrose incident -- some malefactor who was related
to some cop. Nothing happened to him for the DUI or the battery
insofar as those cops involved, nor was this guy cuffed, searched,
car impounded, etc.
Yet, it is OK to do that to the "victims" depicted on the front
page who are not statutory aggravators.
Wise up, people. This conduct affects everyone in this city. The
rich and the poor can easily fall victim to these type of cops. It is
wrong!
RON NICOLL
Glendale
Military recruiting adds to parents' concerns
The other evening as I came home from work, I was struck with
surprise and anger as my daughter enthusiastically blurted out, "Dad,
I'm joining the Navy!"
I stopped in my tracks and said, "What did you say?"
My 17-year-old daughter, who is a senior at Hoover High School,
went on and told my wife and I how, during third-period class, a Navy
recruiter had come onto campus and discussed "the benefits" of
joining the military service. My heart's desire is that my daughter
continues her education at a local university, and now I am
confronted with this outside distraction.
Worse yet, my daughter's next-door neighbor and best friend since
grammar school has joined the Army and is scheduled to start boot
camp next year in Missouri. Parents beware: I know my daughter and
her friend. They are two young, innocent and naive ladies who have no
idea what they're doing. I resent the U.S. government coming onto our
school's campuses to insidiously pursue and aggressively recruit for
the military service, especially during this time of war and when the
U.S. government finds itself in the quagmire of Afghanistan and Iraq.
I wonder if the military recruiter was as gracious and adamant in
discussing the "other benefits" and consequences to military service
as he was of the "benefits" in joining. Do your children understand
the complications of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome? The documented
Gulf War Syndrome of military veterans? The illnesses connected to
