BUDGET: Don't cut Idaho State Police

I can’t believe the Senate Transportation Committee approved moving funds from the Idaho State Police to overhaul roads.

Gov. Butch Otter did not request more funding for the police but recommended taking funds from them — funds that protect all the citizens of this state.

Our state is having more criminal activities than ever before. It’s hard enough for our officers to maintain the peace and protect us all and themselves from the growing crime rate.

I have always told my children, “Show respect to the police. Someday you may need one.”

My suggestion to Gov. Otter and the transportation committee is to take another look, sharpen those pencils and decide which is needed the most: Protection for Idaho citizens or Band-Aids for the highway districts?

I admit I’m not educated in financial budgets such as the state has to manage, but I do understand the importance of the situation that our state is dealing with.

Our police officers should have two officers in all patrol vehicles. We should have more officers, pay them more so they will stay in Idaho. Maybe we could cut the budget somewhere less important than saving lives.

I wonder sometimes if Sgt. Moore would have being killed if there had been two officers on patrol.

PATTY HUNT

Coeur d’Alene