Funds for police video cams and computers

While I find it admirable and touching that the family of Officer Houts is using the contributions in his name for the purchase of video cameras in the cruisers, as well as computers for the cruisers, it disturbs me that we have come to that. Why weren't our members of law enforcement, as well as those who serve with the sheriffs’ departments, and fire departments--not given FIRST PRIORITY by the City of Montgomery, rather than the Riverfront Stadium? So many officers have to work two jobs or a lot of overtime to make ends meet. And for those who are in the Guard and called away from their jobs to serve a year in Iraq, the financial hardship is worsened. Why do we put so little value on their service? We do the same for teachers, and then it takes a tragedy such as this to "open the eyes of our heart, Lord."

I think a percentage--maybe ten percent--of the revenues from the Riverfront Development should be put into the coffers for our public servants.

My nephew, Bruce Evans, died in the line of duty with the Jackson County, MS Sheriff's Department on July 18, 2000. He, too, was 30. Too many of our young men and women are being taken on the streets they are committed to "protect and serve." We, as a community, need to do more. And it starts with the City Government.

We appreciate Chief Baylor and the job he does. We have a mayor who wants to see growth in our city. But, first and foremost, we should take care of those who take care of us, and I just regret that we only recognize it when we are overwhelmed by tragedy--a tragedy for the Houts family, the Police Department, the City, and, yes, the parents of Mario Woodward. How tragic for them to know that their son is responsible for this tragedy.

I hope we all learn valuable lessons from this and make protecting our public servants more than lip service. I want us to remember this every day and make it our mission to get the materials our Police Departments, Sheriffs' Departments, and Fire Departments need and when the City considers the next budget, stop and remember Officer Houts and all the others who paid the ultimate price. Don't send them to "war" on the streets without adequate protection.