POLICE: Stay at home

A recent article reported that the Coeur d’Alene police chief is asking for permission so Coeur d’Alene officers can travel to other counties and look for suspects, interview witnesses and conduct stakeouts for crimes which occurred in Coeur d’Alene.

How each law enforcement agency interacts with the people who live and work in their county is profoundly different. In one county a “welfare check” results in a death, whereas in another, non-lethal intervention results in a mental health work-up and follow-up.

An “out of towner” police officer may become overly alarmed and agitated when in another county and views activities that are the norm for the area, but not where they are accustomed to working.

An innocent encounter could escalate quickly.

First rule in law enforcement used to be know your beat and know your people.

This proposed amendment throws that principle out the window.

ROSANNE SMITH

Moyie Springs