Warren police are doing good job fighting crime

Warren police are doinggood job fighting crime
EDITOR:
In regard to supposed police brutality and racial discrimination in the Warren Police Department: I do not see it in the Kimble case or in the last three years I have been defending accused felons in the Warren Municipal Court.
I often disagree with the evidence obtained, and whether the arrest was legal, and whether or not my client did the crime and whether the evidence should be suppressed and the amount of rehabilitation imposed. But I have yet to see the police picking on innocent bystanders or using more force than necessary to make an arrest.
I have almost 30 years of examples of other police in many departments from a prosecutorial and defense perspective, and the current Warren police are the finest trained, most dedicated, nonabusive group I have seen. The self-appointed spokesman on the Kimble case, in trying to make it a racial case when even the accused says it was not, are doing a provocative and dangerous disservice to the community. They are fomenters of racial unrest where none exists.
The policemen and women I know do not arrest people for skin color; they arrest those committing some crime.
Police must be educated in the law, humane in their enforcement and aggressive enough to arrest dangerous, often combative criminals. They deserve full community backing unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that they abuse their office. If someone breaks into your home, are you going to call Officer Hoso or Mr. Kimble?
We should not let a shark-feeding frenzy of media coverage or a few advocates who see racial motivation any time there are blacks and whites involved to stampede us to negative judgment.
Atty. PHILLIP S. ARBIE
Warren
Blood donor need is great,but the process is simple
EDITOR:
"Blood shortage is worst in 15 years," according to a July 15 Vindicator headline -- and that's most unfortunate because it means that some trauma victims and others who desperately need transfused blood won't get it.
A system that depends on volunteer donors is being stretched to the limit because too few of us are taking time to give blood that a neighbor or even a close relative might need.
The donation process is no big deal. First you need to find out where and when a donation site will be open near you. A phone call to (800) 448-3542 will provide the information you need. At the site, you will be asked a number of questions to ensure that donating will be safe for you and for whoever receives your blood. Your blood pressure and temperature will be checked, and a drop of blood will be taken to check for anemia.
You will lie on a couch for the blood drawing, which will take 15 minutes or so. The needle stick will hurt a bit, but once it's in place the rest of the process is a piece of cake. Afterward, they'll give you some fruit juice and cookies or crackers. You may also receive a ticket for a free meal at some nearby fast-food restaurant. Drink lots of fluid afterward, and you will probably be able to carry on your usual activities the next day.
Best of all, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you have done something really valuable for your community. And -- who knows? You might decide to join the ranks of those who donate regularly every eight weeks. At that rate, you could join the gallon donor club (eight units) in about 15 months. Go for it!
ROBERT D. GILLETTE
Poland
Bridges 101: Open your eyes
EDITOR:
What happened to the words preventive maintenance?
Why is it that a layman can tell the bridges are deteriorating ahead of time, but our officials can't until they have to be shut down?
Example: South Avenue Bridge, Market Street, 711, Marshall Street, Blue Bridge (looks bad, hasn't been painted in years and concrete deteriorating).
FRED HILL
Girard