Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a national police force. Our states are left to organize and create their own police forces, a budget that is mostly fed by their state budgets. According to a report on HSBC.com, “Around the country there are around 500,000 police officers and a total of 40,000 separate police forces, over half of which are simply one or two-man sheriffs’ offices in small towns.” When you really think about it, the task of protecting a population of 300,000,000 people with such a fraction of police offers is daunting, to say the least.

And, according to this same report, that number accounts for all variations of police force members, “Police forces include city police (possibly with separate departments to deal with schools, traffic and even refuse), county police, transport police, sheriffs’ departments, state police (state troopers) and highway forces such as the California Highway Patrol. An ordinary policeman is usually called a patrolman.”

Every day you are hearing in the news about a heroic effort by a police member, who generally put his or her life on the line to protect our society. Even though, on a comparative scale, cops are not paid nearly what they deserve, and then some, they still serve their duties to the best of their abilities. And, when people are not shooting at them, or driving drunk, or committing crimes, the cops are stepping up on protecting our border, when national efforts have dwindled. The cops are still there, ensuring that we live safe and free.

A good example of this can be found from an article I uncovered at the FreeLibrary.com, “Local law enforcement officials in border states have also taken the lead in spreading the alarm over the federal failure to control national borders. El Paso County, Texas. Sheriff Leo Samaniego testified before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security on February 7. “Federal resources have been expanded in cities to our north to combat drug use and distribution, yet most of the drugs have originated from this border. If illicit organizations can bring in tons of narcotics through this region and work a distribution network that spans the entire country, then they can bring in the resources for terrorism as well.”

In summation, our police force is crucial to our freedom. They put their lives on the line each and every day so that we can enjoy peace of mind and safety. They are there for us when no one else in their right mind would be. They are so underpaid it’s not even funny. They mostly do it because they love their jobs, cities and countries. And they are more than willing to put their lives, safety and wellbeing at risk so we can sleep easy at night.

Here are a few more interesting tidbits that truly exemplify what an amazing job that our police are doing nationwide.

An article published in the Wilmette/Kenilworth Trib Local Newspaper reads:

“Wilmette police officers honored

From left: Wilmette Police Chief Brian King, Sgt. Michael McGarry, Officer Nicholas Rizzo and Cmdr. Patrick Collins, with their families, at the Nov. 23 Village Board meeting. The latter three were honored for their involvment in saving a man’s life. (John P. Huston, Tribune reporter)

Three Wilmette police officers have been honored for saving a man’s life.

Wilmette Police Officer Nicholas Rizzo, Sgt. Michael McGarry and Cmdr. Patrick Collins responded May 12 to the 800 block of Westwood Avenue after the report of a man down. They found a 61-year-old Chicago man, who was working as a tree trimmer, on the ground and not breathing.

Rizzo and McGarry performed CPR on the man while Collins attached an automated external defibrillator. As a result of the police officers’ actions, the man started breathing again and was taken to a hospital where he was given a pacemaker device, said Wilmette Police Chief Brian King

“He walked out of the hospital 14 days later,” King said, before presenting the three men with plaques honoring their actions at a recent Village Board meeting. “The work of the officers on the scene definitely saved the man’s life.”

Wilmette police have had defibrillators in squad cars since 2000, King said, thanking board members for their support of life-saving equipment.

Village President Chris Canning invited the officers and their family and friends to the front of the council chamber to turn and face television cameras broadcasting the meeting.

“It’s an incredible thing that you were able to do, and it’s something I know you will carry through with you for the rest of your lives,” Canning told them.

PROMOTED TO SERGEANT

Also at the meeting, Roger Okrim was introduced as a police sergeant. He was promoted Nov. 9, having previously served in the department’s detective bureau.

Okrim is a 12-year veteran of the Wilmette Police Department, after starting his law enforcement career in Evanston. He scored highest of six Wilmette officers taking a four-month test to rank members for promotion.

King said Okrim has a “very strong work ethic, a very strong moral character, exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. He is an excellent representative of the Wilmette Police Department.””

Yet another article that was published in the TribLive for Northhills, Ohio reads:

“Shaler police honored with safety award

Shaler Township Police Department recently was honored for its efforts to create safe roads in the community.

For the fourth year in a row, the AAA Community Traffic Safety Awards program honored the Shaler department with the Platinum Award, the highest honor, for its programs and initiatives addressing local traffic safety issues.

In Pennsylvania, there were 102 law enforcement agencies honored, with only 33 earning the platinum award, says J.J. Miller, AAA safety advisor.

“It means a lot to the department,” says Shaler Police Chief Jeffrey Gally of the award. “It’s a culmination of the successes of a lot of people and programs.”

The majority of the service calls the police department responds to each year are traffic related, so the department and officers created and participate in a number programs to address traffic safety.

From August 2009 to August 2010 the police department issued more than 1,700 traffic citations, with 689 of them being issued through Buckle Up PA and Click It or Ticket, and PA Aggressive Driving, and the police department uses the ENRADD device to detect speeding vehicles.

The Shaler police also put an emphasis on programs that will reach teens as new drivers to instill safe driving habits.

Almost a decade ago, the Shaler Police Department created the Tickets and Stuff Teen Driver Safety Program that teaches teens about safe driving.

A day-long Traffic Camp is offered to teens who received a traffic citation. If the teens who complete the safe driving program go six months without receiving a traffic citation, their violations are withdrawn.

The program also rewards teens who police officers observe driving safely in a ceremony.

In the nine years of the program, more than 325 teen drivers have attended Traffic Camp, and 75 students have been honored for driving safely.

Last spring, the police department, along with the Shaler EMS, Cherry City Volunteer Fire Department, LifeFlight Medical Helicopter Service and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, also put on a mock vehicle crash for the Shaler Area High School. The simulation was part of the school’s Prom Promise to promote making good decisions during prom.

For children who aren’t old enough to drive, the Shaler Police Department hosts a Bike Rodeo to promote bicycle safety. More than 80 children attended this year’s event and new bike helmets were given to all of the riders.

The police department also created the Seatbelt Information Training (SIT) Program to inform parents of child seat laws and safety belt use.

Police officers handed letters to every parent dropping their children off at the primary and upper elementary schools in Shaler Area.

Shaler Police Department also is an active member of the Western Alliance Team DUI Task Force, North Hills Task Force, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Truck and Trailer Task Force.

“We like to say every time they (police officers) stop a motorist or put a truck out of commission, they’re probably saving a life,” Miller says.

The extra effort from departments to develop successful programs and initiatives is something the AAA Community Traffic Safety Awards wants to honor, and Miller adds, receiving the platinum award for four consecutive years, as Shaler Police Department has, reflects a “great effort.”

But, Gally stressed that all of the programs — and the subsequent award for them — wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and effort of the officers on the police force.

“To get the platinum, we’re pretty proud of that,” Gally says. “We’ll never stop every speeder or stop every accident, but I’m confident in the effort. It makes me feel awfully proud of the effort of our people.””

And the list goes on and on. The next time I see a police officer at a coffee shop, I will offer to pick up their tab. Then I will promptly thank them for protecting me as a citizen.

You should all do the same as well and pay it forward.

Well, with the holidays coming up quickly, one has to question what the holidays mean. There really is no wrong answer. Every person has his or her own opinion as to what the holidays really mean. For some, the holidays is a matter of religion, while for others, the idea is one of family. For some, the holidays are all about being with friends and sharing in the togetherness of the season.

What I like to do is remember those who may not have family or friends who can visit them. These people are most often the elderly or infirmed. They often find themselves alone during the holidays. They do not ask for presents or anything, just the joy of having someone sit with them for a little bit.

Another one of my favorite holiday experiences is the serving of the poor. Over the years I have found that the gift of serving others at the soup kitchens is one of the best gifts that that I can give myself and others. Just a few hours of my time can help to bring comfort and joy to those who otherwise would not have it.

Yes, I do love to hang out my friends and family. I find it rewarding to have those I love around me. I love my time with them, and the presents are great too. It is a great thing to enjoy the family and friends. The turkey is really good too. However, I will never forget that there are some that do not have these blessings. I can hope that those reading this never forget either.

Who ever said that the holidays were a stress-free time of year had no idea what he was talking about. Most of the people I know feel a lot of stress during the holiday season, with most if due to family. Here are some helpful hints to deal with the stress and help to minimize its affects on you.

• Try to limit the stress by limiting the amount of time spent in a large grouping of family. While the family is an important reason for the season, so not jeopardize your health or sanity by spending more time than you are comfortable with spending in their midst.
• Think happy thought before going to the family event. By going in feeling good about seeing the family rather than feeling anxious about the family, you can limit your stress and may even have fun.
• Do not drink in excess. Having one or two drinks with the family is a great way to unwind. However, drinking to excess will quickly cause you to lose your temper or it may open you up to snide remarks from the family. Either way, it is not appropriate behavior for a family function.
• Take everything with a grain of salt. The family most often does not mean to sound condescending or short. Instead, assume that they meant everything thing that is said in the best possible way. This is especially true if there is any discussion about the lack of a significant other or any conversation about jobs.

  

• Avoid any discussion about religion, politics or sex. Avoid this like it is the plague. There is no way for these conversations to end without someone feeling hurt or upset. If they start talking about any of these topics, excuse yourself and avoid the conversation. Dodge all questions.
• If your family really is too much for you to handle, even in smaller doses, excuse yourself from the holidays. Yeah, they may be hurt, but it is better than risking your sanity. Especially if your family is a more abusive family, which unfortunately happens. See them individually if you want, but remember that you are under no obligation to attend the festivities if it really makes you uncomfortable.

The Christmas Season is fully upon us. At the end of this week, Christmas will be here. People are finishing up their shopping and beginning their wrapping. Family members are traveling to central locations. Smiles are shared and dinner is cooked. The sounds and smells of Christmas are here and it could not be be more glorious.

I look outside, and I see the white blanket of snow. I hear the carolers singing their hymns. I see children building snow men and random snow angels popping up everywhere. It truly is a blessed time of year, no matter what religion you profess to.

I want to wish ever person reading this blog a happy and safe holiday. Enjoy the time with your friends and family. Drive safely and be courteous to those who share your plane. Smile at those who are working so you can get to where you are going, and remember, this is the season for it.

Wrap up in warm blankets, enjoy the fire and roast some chestnuts. Be a kid again and make a snow man, win a snow ball fight. Give to the Salvation Army Bell Ringer and donate to the soup kitchens. You’d be surprised how good you feel, even if you have little to give. I know that I will be, and I will be thinking of you as I enjoy this season of love.

While most people have gotten their Christmas tree up and decorated, there are some people who have yet to start. No matter if your tree is up or not, there are some important things to remember about trimming your tree and caring for it in order to ensure its freshness all through the season.

• Be careful not to put too many lights on the tree. This could over load the outlet and cause a fire. There is very little risk of the lights causing the tree to catch on fire, but if the tree feels warm due to the lights, it is better safe than sorry.
• Place the heavier ornaments on the lower branches of the tree. This is because the lower branches are generally stronger than the higher branches.
• Do not forget to decorate the inside of the tree. The bulbs and lights can go all along the branches, not just on the outside portions of the tree. This will give the tree a more detailed look.
• Tinsel and garland are great decorations to put on the tree. However, be sure that the tinsel does not cover the entire tree and the obscures the ornaments. Keep the tinsel away from the bulbs as it can cause a fire.

Keeping the Tree Fresh

• Trim ½ inch from the bottom of the tree. Next cut the branches from the bottom 6 inches. Place the tree in the stand and fill the reservoir with water. This will help to keep the tree fresh for up to 6 weeks.
• Keep the tree away from any heaters or vents as this will dry the tree out faster. If possible, place the tree near a window as the windows are most often cooler than the rest of the house.
• The tree should receive plenty of light. This light allows the tree to create nutrients for itself and process the minerals in the water.

I may not be from Minnesota, but where I am from has been on the news more than once this year for heavy lake effect snows. Erie, Pa is well known for getting nailed with snow every year. This year is no different. As I dig myself out again, I look up and watch people throwing snow over their backs, risking serious injury. Here is a public service announcement about how to shovel safely and hopefully have a pain free winter.

• Shovel frequently. Do not wait until you have two feet of snow in front of your house before you shovel. This will lead to the snow being packed down and much more difficult to shovel. Try to shovel at least a couple times a day if it is snowing, although more may be needed in a serious snow storm.
• Try not to walk on the snow before shoveling it. When the snow is compressed from people walking on it, the bottom layer forms ice that can be very difficult to remove from the walk or stairs. This leaves patches where people can slip and get seriously hurt.

  

• Use a shovel that is designed to help reduce the amount of bending down needed to move the shovel. This will help to reduce the stress that the lower back experiences while shoveling the snow, especially if the walk is long or if there is a lot of snow.
• Push what snow can be pushed. What I like to do is create a single clear patch by actively shoveling and then using the shovel, I push the rest of it requiring only a small lift to remove the snow from the shovel and into the yard. This works best if there is not a lot of snow, although it can be effective if the snow is thick but light.
• Place salt on the walk way as soon as the snow is clear. The ice will help to reduce the chances of ice forming, and it will help to melt some of the snow that is landing on the freshly cleared area.
• If there is a lot of shoveling to do, consider taking breaks during the task. It is cold out there, and if you get too cold, you can get seriously sick or suffer from exposure. This is especially true if you are sweating a lot from the active shoveling.

  

• Do NOT throw the snow high into the air. This causes a lot of stress on the lower back and it can cause you to lose balance. It simply is not worth the risk. I know the snow banks are high, but try to dump the snow on the sides if the top is unattainable.
• If your health is not the best, consider hiring a neighbor kid. Some schools require volunteer work and contacting the school may even provide you with a volunteer student to shovel for you. This individual may even become a friend who can cut the grass in the summer and help with any gardening.