WHAT'S IT WORTH?

In "Somebody pays" (Letters, Oct 23), Mr. Holleman said that the deceased's
estate should pay for the funeral escort. I agree. After all, shouldn't we
all pay for the services we receive from our police that don't directly
relate to catching criminals?

Let's send a bill to the parents of students in the "D.A.R.E." program.
Let's charge all organizations and businesses for the times they have
requested officers speak at their meetings or put on safety demonstrations
for their employees.

How about charging admission for people attending the "citizen police
academy" put on by the police department or a $25 charge every time an
officer assisted someone (maybe your wife, daughter or mother) late at
night with a disabled car. After all, this is not a criminal problem -- right?

As you have probably determined, I am not serious. I feel that every time a
police officer is in the public view, he/she is a deterrent to crime.

Whether the officer is teaching our children the dangers of drug use,
telling the community about what to do in times of tragedy, helping people
in distress, stopping a robbery or even escorting someone they don't even
know to their final resting place, the police officer is preventing crime
by his/her mere presence.

How much is that worth? - Richard Steele, Pensacola