President's Message -June 2021
President’s Message
June 2021
I’ve spent the last four weeks in Baltimore. The daily news here, like that in most cities historically run by Democrats, is full of violent crimes – shootings, car jackings, assaults and more. Many of which end are being carried out by younger and younger offenders and often ending with the death of an innocent victim.
Initially, I comforted myself that we live in Worcester County. Safe and protected by supported and supportive police.
My attitude changed, however, when listening to Baltimore’s WBAL talk radio. The discussion of violence included surrounding counties with the message that this crime spike is not just happening in large cities. It is spreading to counties and rural areas typically considered sheltered from such activity. Police defunding and restructuring affects all of Maryland as does all enacted legislation.
This is why, now more than ever, we must stand behind our law enforcement, our state legislators and all of our elected officials. This means letting them know that we care, that we support them and that we do NOT want reform that endangers citizens and our police officers while protecting criminals.
Thanking an officer for his/her service is a sincere expression of gratitude. But we must do more. Make sure that you respond when legislators ask for you voice in Annapolis. At the end of the most recent legislative session, Governor Hogan’s vetoes of police reform bills were overturned. As crime continues to spike throughout Maryland, we can hope that the most egregious of these bills will be addressed in 2022 through new, reasonable legislation. Know where your legislators stand on these policies so you can choose who best represents you.
It may take a while for the tide to turn. Anti-violence, pro-policing reform has been effective in the past and it will be again. Why? Because I am convinced that regardless of political affiliation our citizenry are decent, common sense people who will demand that law and order overcome aggressively progressive policies. Let’s work together to protect citizens and law enforcement while finding a way to ensure that all of those involved in incidents are treated fairly. It can be done.
Beth Rodier
President
