Police deserve respect from residents

This letter is in response to the article that appeared in the Wildcat on Thursday, April 24th, ("Partygoers beware: They don't just eat donuts anymore," Opinions section).

As the PROUD wife of a City of Tucson Police Officer all I can say is YES they have better things to do. About the party you were referring to, I bet that the only reason the police showed up was because an irate neighbor called about loud noises. There is an ordinance about loud noises after a certain hour, and in reference to your remark about "it was only a party" and how dare the police act like a felonious crime was taking place, could have been quite possible had the police not arrived when they did. A few years ago at a "frat" party, drinking combined with guns didn't mix. A University of Arizona police officer was killed. This could have turned out the same way if they didn't break it up when they did. Why don't you show this article to the widow and see what she has to say. As far as partygoers sobering up, that is a joke, if they stayed they would have kept on drinking. You don't sober up that quickly. There is a saying "If we don't catch you tonight, we will catch you tomorrow." You will still be "drunk" in the morning.

If I seem on the defensive, I am. When my husband leaves for work, the risk is real great that he might not come home in one piece. The police officer is at greater risk than any one of us. They ought to be given the RESPECT they deserve and "battle pay."

By Arlene Ozburn (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 25, 1997