BOSTON: Power of teamwork

As my husband and I watched with bated breath the final outcome of the Boston manhunt, we were struck by the news briefing after the live capture and arrest of the second brother.

What we learned is that unparalleled cooperation between cities, county, state, FBI, Homeland Security, etc. was absolutely essential to the success of this manhunt. Each person in charge of the decisions which led to the capture, coordinated skills, a knowledge base and high levels of communication like nothing we have ever seen in this country, including the 9-11 search, which as we know now, resulted in an unnecessary and expensive war in Iraq for our taxpayers and for which we are still paying off the debt.

Perhaps the legislators in the state of Idaho, and Kootenai County officials could learn that coordination is essential to the overall success of a goal, rather than allowing for penalizing particular police forces for that same cooperation. When we become insular, we put the common good at great risk, as was the opposite of what happened in Boston. I congratulate the various police forces and services which were rendered with great precision, professionalism and care for the common good of ALL residents in the city of Boston and in the various cities affected by this manhunt.

KATHLEEN PETERSON

Coeur d’Alene