CRIME: Kudos to the boys in blue

In response to Janie Hansen’s letter questioning the effectiveness of our local law enforcement, judges and District Attorney; there are several issues that need to be taken into consideration. I am surprised you did not question the Public Defenders, criminal attorneys and the options of any type of rehabilitation offered to incarcerated offenders, who may have serious addictions that drive their crimes.

More often than not, criminals are kept in jail until they go to court, and the judge applies time served. The laws of the land are dictated by our state government, not the local government or their representatives, so it may be more effective to direct your concerns there. Granted, the judges have some latitude, however there are limits set by state laws. Were the crimes considered petty or felony crimes? The Idaho three-strike law only counts toward felony offences, which must be serious or violent; it is not necessarily the same as California’s 3 Strike Law, which you are used to.

With some research, you would have found that the city of Coeur d’Alene, as well as Kootenai County, is often a training ground for new officers. Once they have gained experience and skills many leave for municipalities that pay more. When I worked as a Human Resources Consultant on Kootenai County’s Compensation Plan in 2005 it was one of their major issues.

As natives of our beloved community, my husband and I have personally seen the protection our “Boys in Blue” provide. If we have any issues or concerns in our neighborhood we try to take action as opposed to complaining about the situation. The Coeur d’Alene Police Department has never failed when we have called them.

In all of our interaction with local law enforcement, I have yet to see one chasing their tail. Trust me; you would have seen it on You Tube!

In several articles I have read, many of these career criminals have relocated here just as you have. If you would like to learn details of any arrests or sentences you should log on to the Idaho Repository website and have a good read. This would be the best way of ascertaining if the punishment fit the crime.

If you feel our law enforcement is ineffective, take action; start a Neighborhood Watch group or join COPS (Citizens on Patrol); get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other; invest in a security system, arm yourself, or better yet, move back to California, where you obviously felt safer. Just sayin’.

LAURIE JAEGER

Coeur d’Alene