SHERIFF RIGHT TO BE WATCHFUL FOR OUR SAFETY

DITOR: I read with interest the article written July 11 entitled "Lincoln
County off-base in 'targeting' peace-loving Rainbow Family members."
Another letter on the same page read: "Tragic death reminds us to be
watchful." These two headings reminded me of an incident that happened in
Massachusetts. A loving, wonderful, friendly group passed through their
city. They greeted everybody and were considered really nice people,
driving a white van. The children especially were delighted to walk and
talk with them. One day they left with their white van and 14-year-old
Jimmy with them. The white van was the only clue they had to work with.
Jimmy was later found in Ithaca, N.Y., naked, raped and brutally murdered.

"Tragic death reminds us to be watchful." People never think about this
kind of situation until it is too late. Then they complain that the
Sheriff's Department did not do their job.

About two weeks ago we saw four men hitchhiking in the Portage area. There
were three officers talking to them as we drove by. We later relayed to an
officer in Portage what we saw. His comment was, "Thank goodness I wasn't
called in on that one because that was a touchy situation." It seems that
Portage County was also very concerned about the safety of their people as
this group traveled through the area.

The Rainbow Family may be everything Christine Rehwinkel said they are. I
am not judging this group as dangerous or bad. I am saying our hats go off
to Sheriff Koth and his department for being on top of things, doing what
they are hired to do - protecting their people.

Maria Plamann, Merrill