Night Out: Event shows law enforcement officers not who TV portrays

It's too bad the National Night Out is held only once a year.

The event, created to bring law enforcement officers and the community together, is almost always a big success. This year's events in Goldsboro and Mount Olive were no different. Residents of all ages mixed freely with police officers and sheriff's deputies, enjoying food, games and fellowship.

Too many television news reports would have people believe that the police are their enemies, quick to draw assumptions and quick to draw a gun.

The reality is much different. The vast majority of police and sheriff's deputies are good people who want to do good in the community, to make people feel safe. Their job is a tough one, made all the more difficult by the perception that they are out to "get" innocent people. Some children are taught to distrust the police and grow up with that mindset. But most people know the truth, that law enforcement officers are the people's best friends.

We should all keep that in mind and do our best as individuals to counter the image of cops as the bad guys. Our children need to grow up trusting the police. If all did, our communities would be safer, better places in which to live.

Published in Editorials on August 4, 2016 9:01 AM