Officer Todd Bailey's thoughtful and reasoned letter to the Tribune has caused an implausibly severe allergic reaction down at the Luddite Bar & Grill, although at least some of the "courageous" patrons skulking there have decided that assailing Officer Bailey's (and the police force's) integrity is more judiciously done while remaining anonymous.Cowardly ... but efficiently hedged. The hits just keep coming ...
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Anonymous, seeking a geographical imperative for free speech, said...
How can Police Officer Bailey be allowed to write such letters to the Tribune when he is not a resident of the City of New Albany and does not pay any of the City of New Albany property taxes that we pay? ... Now--- are you afraid that you are going to lose your FREE GASOLINE in your take-home police car?
7:54 PM, November 05, 2005
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East Ender, possessed of salary envy, said...
I'm still curious about the rationality that this "take home" policy makes New Albany safer by making the Police cars more visable. To quote: "With regard to public safety, the more police cars on the street, the more visability, the less crime." huh? ... can someone then explain why they are using the City Police cars in their "off" hours for traffic control, or private Security jobs? Oh, that's right, they need to do a little moonlighting to make some extra money. Lord knows we don't pay them enough (highest paid in the State).
10:14 PM, November 05, 2005
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Anonymous, seeking a geographical imperative for warm fuzzies, said...
The figures I am hearing about this issue staggers me. I'm hearing almost 1/2, 32 or 33 officers live outside this city. How does that help our safety?
10:59 PM, November 05, 2005
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East Ender, who excels at damning with faint praise, said...
I really shouldn't come down on the officers themselves, as they are only doing what any of us would do ... I'm sure all of us would take advantage of opportunities to bring more money home, and to move ourselves up the economic ladder.
11:08 PM, November 05, 2005
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As the noted socio-political analysts Duran Duran once asked, "Who do you need, who do you love -- When you come undone?"
It would be worthwhile to go back and research the take-home car policy's original rationale. I remember when it was instituted, and as I've noted before, one of the main reasons was to increase police presence in the community. I don't believe officers were limited as to where their cars could be driven, and it was encouraged that they use them on their off-hours, as the sight of a police car would serve as a deterrent to traffic violators and other lawbreakers.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall if the gasoline issue was addressed originally. Back then, the force was much smaller, and most of them lived in the city. I think it may have been a requirement that they live in New Albany.
NAC: Elevate concerned for cops to the marquee!
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind. It's been in draft form.
ReplyDelete