Newtown Cops Have Their Priorities Straight

To the Editor:

Ronald Polard (“Law Enforcement Priorities”) captures the essence of one of the great issues of our time, illegal immigration.

He asks three questions. Should the police arrest ATV trespassers instead of illegal immigrants? Should the police arrest drivers who break cellphone laws instead of illegal immigrants? Should the police arrest speeders caught in radar traps instead of illegal immigrants?

Step outdoors and listen to a trespassing all terrain vehicle grinding the fragile forest floor, eroding paths, muddying stream beds, terrifying wildlife, and shattering hundreds of people’s peace and quiet; now observe the young immigrant adding hours to his seven-day work week to help a homeowner split firewood, dig out a stump, clean a pond. Who should the cops arrest?

Drive to work and observe Mr Polard’s “hard working American” careening distractedly while doing business on his cellphone and imagine him careening into your spouse’s car, or your child walking home from school; now observe the illegal immigrant riding the bus to her fifth house cleaning job of the week. Who should the cops arrest?

Finally, walk, jog, or ride your bike along a road where the occasional American citizen races past at double the speed limit. Now observe the illegal immigrant washing dishes in your favorite restaurant at night after mowing lawns all day. Who should the cops arrest?

Based on Mr Polard’s examples, when it comes to threats to our safety Newtown’s police department deserves credit for getting its priorities straight.

Justin Scott

Parmalee Hill Road, Newtown                                    April 11, 2006