For the second time this month I have read about law enforcement officials commenting they will not pursue certain offenders because they feel it is a waste of their time and the laws are nearly impossible to enforce.
First, was a sheriff in Weld County, Colorado who said he will not enforce the state’s new gun legislation because it would be impossible. Could it be that he is a sheriff in one of the most politically conservative districts in the United States? As reported in www.telegraph.co.uk.
Now comes a British official who admits she will not go after drug criminals because it is a waste of police time.
Former Labor minister Vera Baird, who is in charge of the North Umbria police force for five years, will not prioritize drug users, with her office justifying the move on the grounds that combating low-level drug use would mean taking officers off the streets. How would you feel about that? How would you feel if you were a parent with a middle school or high school-age child?
I would be ticked off. Doesn’t she realize drugs are the gateway to other crimes? Don’t you agree that Baird is ignoring significant concerns among local people?
While she plans to have police deal with major organized crime, including dealers, by not enforcing laws sends out the wrong message to kids. She needs to take a drug class to realize the damage drugs due to children and those who are older.