Every Monday Matters: Support law enforcement

By Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

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Law enforcement officers make an incredible difference in your community. Every day they put their lives on the line to protect you, your neighbors, and your loved ones. Show appreciation, thank them for their service, and tell them the impact they have on the lives of the people you know.

Who knows? Maybe the next officer who pulls you over will be the one to whom you sent the thank-you note ... just a thought.

Does it make you nervous when you are driving along and you see a police car behind you? What about if you are stopped at a traffic light next to a police car? Do you look and smile or just try to ignore their existence? How about this one: do you pull your car over to the right when you see a police car coming with its lights and sirens on?

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It seems that society does not appreciate law enforcement has much as it should. While these men and women risk their lives for us � total strangers � we have a hard time acknowledging their service, and we certainly don�t like pulling over when they need to get around us in a hurry.

This was the case for Julie Wussow of Colorado Springs, Colo.

�It seems like every other week, the media covers a story about a police officer abusing their power, so it kind of starts to put a bitter taste in your mouth,� said Julie.

�So, instead of feeling safer around police officers, I have always felt threatened by them in a weird way.�

Unfortunately, for everyone, local news often doesn�t cover the feel-good stories. They lack sensationalism and are considered �boring content� by most TV executives.

But that�s not the end of Julie�s story. It is one that not only changed her views, but might also shed some light on everyone�s perspective of the men and women in law enforcement.

�My husband was gone on a business trip, and I was home alone and in bed,� shared Julie, �when I heard someone trying to break into our house. I was so scared that I ran and hid in our closet with the phone and immediately called 9-1-1. I had to whisper to the dispatcher because I was afraid the burglar would hear me. I was completely freaked out.�

Fortunately, two police cars were at the residence within 10 minutes and caught a man who had broken into Julie�s home. He was immediately arrested and taken away ... nothing was stolen and nobody got hurt.

�It was a night I will never forget,� said Julie. �It still haunts me, but thank God that the police were able to get to my house so quickly and did their job like true professionals.

�My view of law enforcement officers has totally changed,� said Julie. �I go out of my way to wave to them, I always try to get out of their way as quickly as possible ... heck, I have even baked them cookies and taken them to the police station.� Sometimes major life circumstances can have a profound impact on our views, opinions, choices, and behavior. This was clearly the case for Julie.

It�s just too bad that our media don�t cover more stories like this.

Law enforcement officers matter. If you�ve ever had to rely on one, you would know. Julie certainly does ... and we are all grateful for that.

Take action today:

1. When you see officers in uniform, walk up and thank them for the job they do.

2. Pull to the right and out of the way when you hear a siren or see flashing lights in your mirror.

3. Organize your friends, co-workers, neighborhood or child�s classroom to create and deliver a thank-you card to local law enforcement.

4. Donate to law enforcement benefits and causes.

5. Support or start a Neighborhood Watch.

6. Always report crime.