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BITS AND PIECES - 08/10/2008
(by Howard Ball - OpEd Columnist - August 13, 2008)
Their lives on the line
If you missed the National Night Out, you missed a good time!
Ever since Butler has celebrated the National Night Out, I have been able to join the staff of WGHT in covering this affair. It is not only a chance to meet and greet your local police, but to meet folks from the community. There is also the opportunity to learn important safety information and to get some nice stuff from the displays. I have not attended the Night Out in Pompton Lakes due to my commitment with the radio station but have been told it is a good time.
Since my days on the beat for the Paterson Morning Call and the Paterson News, I have had a close relationship with police. In my youth I was able to ride with the patrol officers. Jack Lamberti and Bob McGrady in Pompton Lakes, Harry Ressland in Riverdale, Bob Deaver and John Moeller in West Milford, Ed Fletcher in Bloomingdale and my dear friend, the late Earl Dean in Butler, were just a few of the men in blue who helped me understand police work.
A police officer puts his life on the line every time he or she goes to work. Several of my good friends have faced danger and survived. They seldom mention the incidents and just go about the business of protecting and serving. The proliferation of police reality shows has cast a false image of police officers.
In order to bring an offender under arrest, it is necessary to exert force and the operation is done in an accepted manner. Individuals who resist may require more physical force, but that is all part of the game.
The police officer who cites you for a traffic violation is not wrong you are!!! Too many lawbreakers put the blame on the officer who does his duty to protect the public. If you are speeding or talking on the phone while you drive, you are breaking the law, You deserve to be busted.
Sometimes police have a little fun. It is more difficult today with the tough rules imposed on officers but 30 or so years ago Lynn Weckback got me and Robbie Gordon. I was with Robbie at the Pompton Lakes Headquarters when a message crackled over the police radio.
"There's a helicopter crash at Klugetown!" was the broadcast. Bobbie and I rushed to the scene only to find an amusement ride helicopter, which had been toppled by some kids. Everybody got a big laugh and we all had a coffee and a smile.
Butler’s Capt. Jay Dean has always presented an exciting National Night out, and this year was no exception. Free hotdogs, fish and chips, pizza, soda and water were just a few of the benefits and the Cornet Band topped the evening with a concert. The first Tuesday in August has been set as the National Night Out. See you next year.
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