Editor,
Recently there have been claims that the deployment of the National Guard to assist law enforcement is a military occupation.
The National Guard employed in these cities – standing posts or walking through neighborhoods – accomplishes two objectives. Their presence deters crime and frees law enforcement from these patrol duties to do proactive policing.
Guard Members do not kick in doors, execute warrants, do traffic stops or engage in any law enforcement activities. Many are citizens of the communities they are present in. The only time they would act is to defend themselves if attacked or intervene if someone else’s life is endangered, i.e. someone being attacked by a criminal in their presence or members of a mob interfering with law enforcement agencies.
I would not call this a military occupation, instead I would suggest politicians characterizing it this way are dishonest using this claim to promote their political ambitions.
This thinking out of the box approach has worked in the real-world saving lives and greatly reducing crime. It is a first step and what must come next is the realization that most crimes are committed by known repeat offenders.
It is time that we face reality and separate these individuals permanently from society.
Joseph Kaffl
Hillsboro
