There isn’t much on TV in the evenings that I care to watch to be honest with you, so after the local news I usually grab a book and begin reading. I like to try and read two books a week on average. As I am reading, I always have the programmable scanner on in the background for information on activities involving law enforcement agencies. I regret that I am no longer able to hear anything about the Rockford Police Department due to their radio traffic being scrambled. I think many other people would also like to know what is going on in Rockford as a matter of interest and personal safety. The public needs to know how busy law enforcement agencies are with the work they do for us.
We are faced with the negative impact of illegal drugs on our country and, in particular, heroin laced with Fentanyl and the massive number of overdose deaths that it has caused. If I remember correctly, I recently saw that there were well over a hundred deaths related to various drugs in Winnebago County last year. The costs to society from illegal drugs aren’t going to go down without some serious changes.
The legalization of some drugs for “recreational purposes” is not a good idea in my opinion. Many people have a hard enough time dealing with adult beverages let alone other substances that they may now be able to access. I believe that there is strong possibility “legalization” will result in increased motor vehicle collisions, injuries, and deaths in the long run. It could also end up creating more work for law enforcement agencies as a result.
We are approaching an election on March 20. There are many issues and candidates that need to be considered by voters before then. The first decision that voters need to make though is that they are going to vote this time. Your thoughts on issues and your vote carry weight; make your ideas and opinions known to the candidates. You may remember recently that an election in another part of the country came down to picking a name out of a plastic container from a bowl, a fifty- fifty chance after months of work by the two candidates. Voting is a gift to us from those that did battle and have died defending our freedom and way of life in war.
Last Sunday I noticed editorial letters here from both of the candidates for Winnebago County sheriff. I am sure they will have many issues to consider and debate between now and the primary election. The one major issue for discussion is obviously going to be finding enough money to support the ongoing activities of the department. As the county budget is presently distributed, there probably isn’t enough money for the Sheriff’s Department and the court system to run the way they should in my opinion. Money is tight for local governments, but public safety must be the first consideration.
Some people in Washington appear to be playing politics with the construction of that “southern border wall”, while individuals and shipments of drugs continue to enter our country. People’s lives are being negatively impacted as a result. Until that protective wall happens, increased interagency cooperation and special emphasis on drug issues by law enforcement at the local level are the only “wall” we have to protect us. That “thin blue line” of law enforcement is all that exists for our safety; theirs is not an easy job.
Please, decide now to vote in March, and be sure you actually get there to vote when the time comes.
Bruce Roberts of Rockford is a retired police officer, former member of the Winnebago County Board and the Winnebago County Board of Health.