Editor:

We all stood up at the meetings. We all demanded the Sheriff not use our funds outside of Discovery Bay. We all demanded a say in the allocation. Now, every time I come home, I see police officers.

I was a terrible teenager and drove like a jerk, acquiring many, many tickets in my younger youth. Every time I see a police car, I get a little nervous, even though I’m not breaking the law. I guess that is how we want all of the thousands of would-be criminals in our town to feel.

Budgets have been slashed. Deputies are losing their jobs. Coverage is slim to none in places that really, and I mean really, need it. Places where crimes are not limited to parking in tow-away zones, street art of idle youth, and driving without a seat belt. Places where meth addicts are neglecting their children and wives are being beaten and drive-by shootings happen at middle schools.

I feel foolish and selfish. The Sheriff has to consider those places and know what is going on, know we have the money to help, but he can’t share it. He’s got to keep two full-time officers in the “live where we play” town. Charity starts at home, folks. Maybe after we see the murder rates go up in our neighboring cities, we’ll ponder the errors of our ways.

Or maybe not. Maybe we’ll just be happy our BMWs are safe.

Jessica Dawson, Discovery Bay