To the Editor:
In Luann Byrne’s “Police Appreciation Week” letter, Byrne lists three things that are essential for survival: safety from harm, food and shelter. In her letter, Byrne suggests readers should show thanks and respect to local officers by sending them a note during Police Appreciation Week: Nothing wrong with that.
On the flip side, has law enforcement in New Jersey ever thanked the taxpayers for providing them with salaries that are among the highest in the nation? Has law enforcement in New Jersey ever thanked the taxpayers for making it possible to retire early: after only 25 years, by heavily subsidizing their healthcare and pensions that pay better than most jobs?
Byrne asserts: in the complex society of today, without security, businesses and life itself cannot thrive — the protected shared work of society provides the food and shelter we all need. The statement: “the protected shared work of society provides the food and shelter we all need” gives the impression that farmers and construction workers are helped by society: this is simply not true; they stand alone. In fact law enforcement wouldn’t exist without farmers.
There are numerous other dangers to America’s work force that law enforcement can’t protect workers from, which is why these two mentioned occupations along with others have higher fatality totals/ratios than law enforcement. Every day hundreds of thousands of workers in varied occupations put their lives on the line for the betterment of society.
This is not to say we shouldn’t follow through with Byrne’s suggestion of showing appreciation to our local police department with a note, but a card of thanks also dropped off at a farm or produce stand or one of the many places where workers risk their lives for others, is a way to say thanks and show them you realize the sacrifice they and their families make for America.
Tris Tristram
Newton