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I find it a severe tragedy that a young man and police officer died as a result of drinking and driving. Many will say to let it be, but this is not to be harsh yet it really needs to be considered because it illustrates drinking and driving impacts every day people who are just average decent normal citizens. This was a good young man who made a mistake and like I stated how many people of all walks of life do it every day?
To me this incident demonstrates the humanness of us all and the hypocrisy of our system. We should wake up to the fact this happens day in and day out to police and non-police alike. For how many others was it the same and innocents as well? In this case this young man did not make it home and that is the root of why we supposedly have harsh penalties.
However, the fact that police were involved is perhaps something that every police officer needs to consider when they pull anyone over for possible DUI? These very same officers will arrest and in effect throw into jail citizens who were stopped coming home from a Christmas party, or family affair and cause them all kinds of monetary and other hardships for the very same act they themselves did and do and without so much as a thought. There are few non drinkers in this society.
Is it oh "we did not get caught' that makes it OK? Was it "do as I say not do as I do"?Now certainly I do not advocate driving under the influence, it is a very serious offense. But this situation underscores significantly that this is evidently just what I noted above. For any chief to disregard this is also amazing to me. This should be a significant issue for his officers to consider and not to be cast aside lightly while respecting the tragedy within their police family. The facts are that many have at one time or another had a drink and drove. Is it right, no but it is fact.
Yet, they within their heart of hearts know the truth. They knew the condition of this officer simply by nature of their training and the number of drinks consumed and to say otherwise is just not the truth. It is in truth in my opinion an act to protect others who must regretfully carry the question of his death for the rest of their days. Like the religious who cover immorality for the good of the whole is this acceptable? Or is it simply that we are all-human and fail and it is far better that we address in truth that fact when handing out penalties?
Yes, there is tragedy for human failure and penalties. Many go through life never getting caught and they get away with that while they are so adamant others should be punished severely. Now as to notbe just critical, I make this recommendation for this chief and others to consider.
Is it not betterfor society to consider not arresting those who are stopped and over the limit if a first offense? Is it better to tow their car at their expense and let them pay that steep fine, rather then throw the book at them and lock them up? Certainly lock them up if totally inebriated for their own safety or get them home via cab that they must pay for, but if a first offense do they have to be demeaned as they are under this current system? Do they have to be harassed by those in the system who are pious and self righteous applicators of the law and believe me I know first hand they are there. No I was never arrested, perhaps hsould have been but I do know others first hand who were simply for having an anniversary drink with their spouse. They are even imbedded in those charitable organizations we think highly of who handle the parole and fines.
Well some will say it is to teach them a good lesson sot that it doesn‘t happen again. But police and the courts know no number of lessons impress the truly hard-core drunk driver. A fact they ignore.
Yes, the simple fact of possibly more dire consequences if caught again should impact the decent citizen enough to make them think about doing it again. Now certainly, the very police who will hand you that ticket will say if you intend to drink you should always have a designated driver. Were they above that for their own? Would this man be here today if they followed their own advice. Quite frankly they said he did not appear drunk to them. Could that be applied to any number of thousands who admitted to having a drink but were forced to take a test and were subsequently arrested or arrested on principal for not taking the test? This certainly would have been the case for this young man. Perhaps even those other officers?
Maybe a review of DUI laws is in order for first time offenders? Just maybe it will work? Now perhaps an article on this suggestion just might be fruitful. Yet, it will never get past the posting on this web site. Why because humans being what they are, like the reporter this was sent to, would rather not address the hard questions, but let it lay where it is, in some corner trash basket. That fact is said it doesn’t change the truth. It just speaks to the moral character of society.
» left by Avis Ward(11,404) Avis Ward (1 year 178 days ago.)
Robert you are a man who asks the tough, fair, courageous and valid questions! It's good to know you sent this article to a reporter. Do not be discouraged by its lack of reception. Keep writing and distributing your articles beyond this site. I was unaware of this tragic incident. Thank you for the background information. Respond to this comment
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(6,204) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (1 year 177 days ago.)
"Thank you once again Avis. As you know, I continue to try but except for those like you who bring encouragement I just may retire from all this. The people at the site have encouraged me to stay but frankly many only want to avoid negatives and I have to admit much of what I write to can be hard stuff even though the truth. Yet, feel free to send it to whomever. God Bless and also keep up your work. God has a way of reaching whom he wants regardless of man. As usual, best regards Robert. Respond to this comment
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