There was a time when it was a standing joke to refer to a neighborhood police officer as a "flat foot" only now such comments are not funny, no suree, not funny at all.
Some of us remember the Saturday Evening Post Norman Rockwell magazine cover featuring a beat cop heading down the sidewalk with a big smile on his face, a bigger rounded belly and a baton spinning around between his fingers, followed by a couple of happy children and a tail-wagging dog. That was an illustration of neighborhood security at its best.
Rockwell's many artistic contributions reflected a perceived secure American culture and his illustrations continue to live on in the archives of history. To many today, those were not the good old days, but to me, they reflected a time of security, peace, respect and promise.
With technology comes change and local beat cops are few and far between. Oh sure, we have a beat cop on West First Street in downtown Duluth, but the significance of that image has changed from a positive image to one of despair. It's a symbolism rather than a tool for the prevention of crime. The phrase "we ain't got no respect" is real and contagious.
Unquestionably, Duluth is a difficult city to patrol day or night. City boundaries stretch from Fond du Lac to Lester River, from the waterfront up the hill just beyond the Miller Hill Mall retail center. Duluth from the very beginning has always had a sectional image of perceived haves and have-nots concentrating at each end of this narrow population ribbon. In between western and eastern neighborhood extremities, we witness a wide mix of ethnic diversity. That ethnic diversity, incidentally, is Duluth's strong suit and perhaps the least appreciated.
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Ethnic diversity in America was the backbone of our growth and stability as a nation. Duluth certainly was a major contributing factor, albeit seldom recognized and appreciated.
Today we are experiencing a crime wave that is getting increasing attention. For some reason, too many city leaders seem to think building more neighborhood police offices is the answer. I am no expert on this, but I disagree.
I believe with technology today, an increased police presence throughout the city makes more sense and certainly seems more effective. There has been talk of laying off some police and firefighter positions to fit within budget needs. I'm not so sure this is the proper approach. Today's squad cars are computer-equipped and can convey needed information to an officer in seconds. We need more patrols, not more offices with desks, and people manning those desks.
Now I am really going to get into trouble. Since the advent of the Great Society, under President Lyndon Baines Johnson, our American culture has changed. Government agencies have exploded with free gifts and promises that have certainly not been cost or culturally effective in the long run. Here in the North Country especially, a negative population shift from Chicago and Detroit to this area has made local policing more difficult.
Our anti-business attitudes have unfortunately remained intact and Duluth, in spite of its great potential, continues stagnant and subservient to the very government that is destroying our initiatives and individual prospects for the future. So where do we go from here?
The city of Duluth and neighboring communities have much to offer, but we have to stop bending to the wishes of those who want government to lead and protect. Without individual incentives, it's a continual uphill battle. So what does all this have to do with public safety? We need leadership with new ideas.
We have a great police force with dedicated officers, and they have the tools. Perhaps more cooperation between St. Louis County and the State Patrol and neighborhood police agencies could be re-examined. More officers on the street instead of behind desks might be more productive. Perhaps less government handouts to questionable visitors from Detroit and Chicago would be worth looking at. Perhaps a renewed effort to enhance Neighborhood Watch techniques would be worth further discussion. For certain, public safety should come first and requires a cooperative spirit without protecting one's own turf as the primary objective.
Enough for now but I would welcome comments and ideas. Indeed, America has changed but the people haven't, and governments need to be reminded of that from time to time.
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Dick Palmer is the former editor and publisher of the Budgeteer News. He may be reached by telephone at 729-6470 or by
e-mail at rpalmer@duluth.com .
