STOP ONE CRIME; STOP OTHERS, TOO

I am writing this to comment on the July 25 letter, "Stop posing as
prostitutes and drug dealers." First of all, every crime has a victim. Just
like it's a "crime" for our fine readers to be subjected to the kind of
disrespect that Pat Skidmore has for the very people who protect them. I
grew up knowing that the police are our friends and protectors. I still
believe this and have a great deal of respect and confidence for what they do.

I also believe that prostitution and drugs are serious crimes and have many
victims. What about the "run-away child" who chooses to sell sexual favors
to anyone who is willing to pay a few bucks, so the kid can turn around and
buy drugs? They don't care if they are passing along a disease; they just
want the money. Surely that child, as well as the consenting client, is a
victim. Victims are anyone who are involved. This may include the
principal's wife, children and future generations of that family. What
about the example this principal has made to the hundreds of kids that have
gone to his school or sat in his class? They are surely victims of such crimes.

The police of our cities and states put everything on the line, including
their lives every day, so that we, the citizens, can live in a society
where we don't have to worry about our house being robbed by a drug addict
looking for a quick buck. They lock up those drug dealers that are selling
drugs to our children. They are catching those prostitutes that are
carelessly spreading diseases to our husbands, wives, boyfriends and
girlfriends. Not only are they doing this, but they are also catching the
"real" criminals, the ones who are robbing banks or convenience stores,
mugging people, hijacking cars and murdering so that they can make a few
bucks for drugs.

I don't believe that our law enforcement is doing all of this for kudos. I
personally don't think that any cop wants to be a hero. Nor do I believe
that they chose to be cops so that they can be in a story on the TV news or
in the local paper. I, like many of the police officers of this nation,
choose to protect and defend this nation and its citizens because I care
for the citizens and our way of life. Unfortunately, some other citizens
have a blatant disregard for our law enforcement by undermining their
efforts to clean up our streets.

Those hard-working citizens Ms. Skidmore spoke of must not be working hard
if they have enough time to go to a prostitute and do drugs. I can stand to
get them off the street and out of key community jobs such as in education
and other community positions. If we want to turn our communities around,
make safer streets, and have good, honest, hard-working citizens setting
moral examples, then our cops should be applauded for their efforts.

I have learned several things in my life so far. Here are two of them for
Ms. Skidmore to ponder. If we want to solve the big problems then we need
to start by solving the small ones. If we want to catch a criminal, then we
have to think like one. By stopping prostitution and drugs in our
communities, we will effectively stop many other more serious crimes.

GARY WAGUESPACK

Frederick