Mahalo, police
May 10-16 is National Police Week — a time we set aside as a nation to honor the contributions of our men and women in blue who keep our communities safe.
We are blessed on the Big Island to have an awesome police department made up of dedicated public servants who are doing the best with limited resources and an ever increasing population to provide the best protection for all of us.
The department is not limited to those sworn officers who risk their lives on a daily basis for our citizens, but there are many civilian positions that are also crucial to fulfilling the mission of our department. They often go unnoticed but are also critical for safe operations.
There are our 911 dispatchers, who are responsible for the safety of the officers they dispatch to dangerous situations.
There are word processors, crime lab technicians, radio shop workers, evidence handlers, finance department workers, as well as many clerical positions essential to the running of our department.
Let’s take time out this week to recognize and honor all of them for the jobs they do to keep our department running efficiently.
So many of them are having to work during this pandemic because they are classified as essential workers. Some of them are struggling with child care issues or are concerned about a high-risk loved one at home who they might expose to this virus, as they must work.
I encourage you to do something special if you know an officer or employee of our department to let them know how much we appreciate them for all that they do. Not all heroes wear uniforms.
Mahalo to Police Chief Paul Ferreira and all the commanders in our department for leading our department wisely through some very difficult times.
To our patrol officers: An extra special MAHALO for our most courageous heroes out there on our streets while we stay safely home.
God bless you this week and every week for all you do for all of us!
Renee D. Godoy
Police chaplain
Call it a takeover
The response to a novel form of flu virus, COVID-19, requiring “social distancing” is not supported by any scientific studies that I can find.
Where did this term originate? I am amazed at the speed with which this new term is being parroted without any science behind it.
What is happening now is indistinguishable from a communist takeover of the United States, under the guise of a pandemic.
Vicki Vierra
Keaau