Your Views for March 29

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Rude police officer

Rude police officer

I was just wondering why the Hawaii Police Department does not have official police cars. Is there a special reason for there not being an official vehicle? The last time a policeman was at my home, he arrived in a brand new “mean machine.” The car was beautiful. However, I always wondered … where do the “bad” guys go?

This officer who arrived with this “mean machine” was totally unprepared to serve and protect me. I had asked him to remove a person who had threatened me. The officer went and investigated the issue. Upon his return to my home, he actually told me that the man I called 911 on said I had lied. It seemed like the officer preferred my attacker’s version.

I became upset and frustrated, and when I challenged his judgement, he started to scold me and threatened to arrest me. The officer was about three times bigger than me, and I felt quite threatened in my own home, especially being that I am a 53-year-old disabled woman.

I had asked him to please show me some respect in my own home. This policeman was rude and curt to me from the beginning to the end of our contact.

So, dear editor of the Tribune-Herald, I think I may have it figured out! If I had a brand new, suped-up “mean machine,” I wouldn’t want to trash it either.

So now I think it is well overdue for the Hawaii Police Department to get official vehicles so Big Island residents can be assured a fully functional police service. I just really want to feel protected and know that I will be served, which is my right as a Big Island resident, when I am in the presence of a police officer from Hilo.

Susan Marie O’Connell

Hilo

Adjust your attitude

Regarding Maile Walsh’s letter (Tribune-Herald, March 21): History entangles all of us. There is a certain “tender arrogance” to the letter, revealed in the “wake up!” farewell note.

Conveniently oblivious to local history, the writer focuses on her equality based on purchasing power and de facto residency. Unfortunately, it takes more than this to understand and fit in.

No one said it should be easy moving to a new culture. Most importantly, if Jews (I’m half of one) have a righteous claim to their homeland after an absence of 5,000 years, should anyone be surprised that Hawaiians still have some claims upon their homeland after having it stolen away by their guests 119 years ago?

It’s not a matter of “get out and go back to whence you came” — it is a matter of adjusting one’s attitude!

Tomas Belsky

Hilo