One year later

[geoffrey]

It's been one year today that 4 young Mounties in Northern Alberta were shot dead by a career criminal in the line of duty. Have things changed? Perhaps a little.

We now have a government that is committed to security, mandatory minimums being one. Mandatory minimums would have prevented James Roszko from being out of jail that day.

We now have a government that is committed to scraping the failed gun registry, and instead, investing that money in our police officers to insure that they have the best possible equipment in order to face criminals such as Roszko.

After the murders of these officers, I had an English teacher tell me that they died in vain because they were enforcing drug laws that targeted victimless crimes. I disagree. This is one of the best cases of when drugs, a dangerous personality (he was a pedophile too, went after high school boys), and laws that worked against the police ended up with the death of 4 police officers.

Debate rages on each day from various positions, people on the left and people on the right trying to work against our officers. Some don't want our officers armed, like the British, because it leads to unneccessary death of suspects. This was the outcry when a Calgary officer shot and killed a sword wielding man that charged him. The public outcry was that he should have only has a taser, that a a gun was too much force. I'd say this view comes more from the left. Then we have those on right, arguing for cuts to an 'inefficient' system that the RCMP and other police departments have become. Those calling for ticket quota's to make the budget, taking time away from valuable work in areas that make a real difference in our safety.

We've got to start pressuring our public officals to put the interests of our police officers at the highest of our priorities. In my opinion, their rights and safety comes before all else. I have more respect for these people than any other member of our society, and its sad that most people no longer think this way. They see police as a nuisance when they get a speeding ticket, or can't make it home from holidays as fast when the RCMP car is right ahead of them.

But we all lose sight of how important these people are in our lives and how much they serve our interests even when we don't see it. The sense of security that you get from knowing you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency and have the best trained, most courageous people at your house in five minutes is nearly invaluable. It goes beyond their position in society as security officals too.

For you that have children, I don't, these officers are in our high schools and sometimes at lower grades, educating children on extremely important topics, like drugs, gangs, and bullying.

In small towns or rural settings, where social services are few and far between, police officers often act in many roles. Marriage counsellors, mediators in business conflicts and a listening ear for kids that are going through rough times... on reserves they act as alcohol abuse consellors, trying to rebuild torn families... these are all roles that police officers take on without hesitation. And these are some of their most noble duties.

Their steadfast dedication to our society by these members of our police services is unmatched by anyone else, and we need to respect and be inspired by their service.

Lets not forget what this is about... the officers. God bless them.

[tml12]

It's been one year today that 4 young Mounties in Northern Alberta were shot dead by a career criminal in the line of duty. Have things changed? Perhaps a little.

We now have a government that is committed to security, mandatory minimums being one. Mandatory minimums would have prevented James Roszko from being out of jail that day.

We now have a government that is committed to scraping the failed gun registry, and instead, investing that money in our police officers to insure that they have the best possible equipment in order to face criminals such as Roszko.

After the murders of these officers, I had an English teacher tell me that they died in vain because they were enforcing drug laws that targeted victimless crimes. I disagree. This is one of the best cases of when drugs, a dangerous personality (he was a pedophile too, went after high school boys), and laws that worked against the police ended up with the death of 4 police officers.

Debate rages on each day from various positions, people on the left and people on the right trying to work against our officers. Some don't want our officers armed, like the British, because it leads to unneccessary death of suspects. This was the outcry when a Calgary officer shot and killed a sword wielding man that charged him. The public outcry was that he should have only has a taser, that a a gun was too much force. I'd say this view comes more from the left. Then we have those on right, arguing for cuts to an 'inefficient' system that the RCMP and other police departments have become. Those calling for ticket quota's to make the budget, taking time away from valuable work in areas that make a real difference in our safety.

We've got to start pressuring our public officals to put the interests of our police officers at the highest of our priorities. In my opinion, their rights and safety comes before all else. I have more respect for these people than any other member of our society, and its sad that most people no longer think this way. They see police as a nuisance when they get a speeding ticket, or can't make it home from holidays as fast when the RCMP car is right ahead of them.

But we all lose sight of how important these people are in our lives and how much they serve our interests even when we don't see it. The sense of security that you get from knowing you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency and have the best trained, most courageous people at your house in five minutes is nearly invaluable. It goes beyond their position in society as security officals too.

For you that have children, I don't, these officers are in our high schools and sometimes at lower grades, educating children on extremely important topics, like drugs, gangs, and bullying.

In small towns or rural settings, where social services are few and far between, police officers often act in many roles. Marriage counsellors, mediators in business conflicts and a listening ear for kids that are going through rough times... on reserves they act as alcohol abuse consellors, trying to rebuild torn families... these are all roles that police officers take on without hesitation. And these are some of their most noble duties.

Their steadfast dedication to our society by these members of our police services is unmatched by anyone else, and we need to respect and be inspired by their service.

Lets not forget what this is about... the officers. God bless them.

very good post Geoff...agreed!!!

[geoffrey]

I don't know how much this story has affected those outside Alberta, but I think we have to remember that this is a national tradegy, not a Mayerthorpe tragedy. This could have happened in any small town, and could still.

I normally don't ask for people's support of a cause, but I'll just ask for people to take a quick little look at:

http://www.fallenfour.ca/

They are trying to raise $500,000 and getting the Federal and Provincial governments to match it build their memorial. I'm sure any donation, no matter how small, would be appreciated by the society.

Thank you.