We have much to be thankful when we consider our local police.
As in thousands of small-town communities across America, we have before us our bands of officers who pledge to uphold the law, to defend us and be there when we have a need a police officer can meet.
We are privileged to know some of them by name. That is not hard in a small town, of course, and they know many of us personally.
The small town cop, on his or her daily beat, becomes keenly aware of the neighborhood, of who lives here, of what vehicles are normally in the driveway.
They cannot be everywhere, of course. They are mortal as anyone else. In fact, we do well to remember they too have families, who sacrifice much every time their officer pins that badge, straps on that gun and goes out the door.
This is small town America, we remind ourselves; what can go wrong?
Hopefully nothing, but we all know times have changed. It is a dangerous and stressful job, but not one without rewards. Giving of themselves, helping their neighbors, comforting victims, all helps make their day or night well spent.
Part-time police departments, such as we have in Hawley, are full-time in terms of dedication and purpose.
Often working two or three jobs, and certainly not paid what they should be, these officers do their very best with what resources they have.
Neighborhood Crime Watch programs are very effective in giving them a hand. Volunteers can be trained to keep a helpful watch on their streets and report anything suspicious.
Observant and caring citizens do themselves, their neighbors and the officers a great favor in stepping out to report a crime.
It takes a community working together — the citizenry and local police — to do what we can possibly do to keep the quality of small town America in Hawley, Newfoundland, Milford, Honesdale and many — hamlets and crossroads between.
Hats off to our local police, both our State Police and municipal police departments.
They deserve our support.
