Voice of the People: Honoring our Friends in Blue

On Dec. 2, 2015 San Bernardino County came under attack by an evil act of terrorism, an act that was halted by the brave men and women in law enforcement. The terrorists were put down because our friends in uniform had the best equipment available to them, including armored personnel vehicles, and were well-trained to use it. The armored vehicles used on that fateful day were purchased by monies from the Sheriff Department’s asset seizures. Law enforcement officers also had helicopter capabilities to transport injured victims from the horrifying scene to local hospitals with the help of the Military Surplus 1033 Program. There are many lessons to be learned from that tragic day but one that stood out from the rest is blue lives matter. Law enforcement officers from various local departments came together for one common goal; to protect the people of this county. We call them heroes. Every day of the year our law enforcement professionals serve the people of this county with great integrity and courage. For that, we express our sincerest gratitude. However, we need to be able to do more. We need to make sure our law enforcement officers have all the necessary tools to help them do their job on a daily basis and in times of extreme duress, that includes giving them the pay they deserve. Our friends in uniform have proven when it counts the most that they are the best of the best. Their compensation should mirror the high risk job that they are exposed to every day. If we really believe in honoring our friends in blue, then we need to Dec. 2, 2015 San Bernardino County begin to show it. It is time that we properly thanked our brave men and women in law enforcement for serving and protecting the people of this great county.