Thank a police officer for El Paso's safety, a reader says
Thank a police officer for making El Paso a safe city.
Thank a police officer for El Paso's safety, a reader says Thank a police officer for making El Paso a safe city. Check out this story on ElPasoTimes.com: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/opinion/2018/05/02/thank-police-officer-el-pasos-safety-reader-says/569938002/
El Paso Times Published 6:00 a.m. MT May 2, 2018
El Paso Police Department Bomb Squad members prepare their gear during a bomb scare in February at the Social Security Administration offices in Downtown El Paso.(Photo: MARK LAMBIE/EL PASO TIMES)Buy Photo
As a taxicab driver, I often meet visitors to our city who ask me about El Paso's safety. I proudly reply that, per population, we are the nation's safest city. And why is that? Let me explain. Whether it's 911 N. Raynor St. or a substation, I maintain that we have the best police department anywhere, well-trained professionals who have chosen to serve our community at the greatest risk to themselves.
And who are these police officers? Our police force represents our multicultural city —African-American, Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Anglo — all of our city's ethnicities are represented in blue — and they are the best Americans! Many are military veterans who continue to serve and protect us.
Their work is thankless, and their sacrifices are often taken for granted. Many, if not most, take on overtime assignments or work security to provide for their families. We, the public, don't see how they work for us. We don't see Bobby and Andy taking dangerous gang members off the street. We don't see Adrian and Joe investigating a traffic accident so the insurance company can decide properly. We don't see how so many other brave men and women work to make our lives better.
The next time you see an El Paso police officer, thank them for their service. Then, push the forces behind collective bargaining to give these fine men and women regular pay raises, so that no El Paso police officer needs to work overtime again. They are our best and they deserve the best!
Phil Porter
West El Paso
Railroad Drive has been neglected
It is very disappointing to hear about all the road improvements going on around El Paso and yet never a mention of Railroad Drive. It is a road that has speed limits of 55 miles an hour and it is full of potholes. Lane markings don't exist in much of the route and trash is everywhere. The road is literally falling apart from one end to the other. When will this street get some much-needed attention and not another patch job?
Other areas in the city get serviced and are not half as bad as Railroad. This road is in dire need of being part of the equation for road repair and upgrade. I want to know if a citywide road improvement funding initiative is on the table, then why isn't Railroad receiving its fair appropriation? Hopefully, someone will hear the voice of a concerned citizen about road safety on the Northeast corridor of this growing city.
Gregory Booker
Northeast El Paso
Columnist Cepeda out of touch
A recent article, by columnist Esther Cepeda, illustrates what most sane people have been saying for some time. The minds of liberals cannot comprehend reality. "Don't judge Latinos who work as Border Patrol agents." Why should any agent be judged? That would be like saying, "don't judge Caucasians for being police officers."
Why should anyone be judged for trying to uphold the laws of this country? It doesn't matter your race; it is a necessary job. There are thousands of Border Patrol agents across our nation of every nationality and race. This so-called columnist tries to shine a "bad" light on Hispanics for being in the Border Patrol. Maybe they want to help protect this country from illegal entry by undocumented immigrants. Maybe they want to help protect this country from tons of illegal narcotics flowing through our porous borders. Maybe some people would rather be productive and accomplish something in their lives rather than sit around admiring a sheepskin and taking up space in a daily newspaper.
I have a tremendous respect for the Border Patrol, law enforcement and the military. They do a necessary job that the "privileged don't have to consider doing" (her words). It seems Cepeda considers herself above doing anything that actually makes a difference. She writes a column for a liberal paper. I try not to judge her for doing that. It might make a real Latino columnist look bad.
Loy Wells
East El Paso
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