You've undoubtedly read about the police officer who was assassinated in the Bronx, New York this past week. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones - the pain has to be unimaginable. This story makes me sad and angry. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/05/nyregion/nypd-bronx-police-shooting.html The War on Cops - as some, like journalist Heather Mac Donald refer to it - is still a thing. The attacks may not be as obvious as this week's assassination, but they're still there, gnawing away at a profession that each of us is indebted to. No cops, no society. The incessant barrage of accusations, name-calling, and false narratives that certain members of the media, political, and social groups embrace harm law enforcement morale. But more than that, they incite unstable people to violence. I strongly support personal responsibility and the first amendment, even when the words spoken may repulse me. But with rights, come responsibility. We sadly live at a time where people don't take the time to read (kudos if you've gotten this far), get the facts, and make informed commentary. We've become a headline-grabbing, angry, reactionary, fist-banging society. And unfortunately, there are people who are moved by those sound bites - sometimes violently. Here in Madison, we do what we can to support our own police department. We take Chief Koval seriously when he says "We can't do it alone." It's why we do what we do. Just last evening, NBC15 interviewed Steve and me about our new initiative to combat growing crime in Madison by supporting and strengthening the police department. If you missed it, check us out at http://www.nbc15.com/content/news/Petition-to-fight--433025033.html And if you haven't already, please sign and share the petition. Once we get more signatures, we'll deliver it to Mayor Soglin and common council. One of the things we call for is more police officers. The city needs at the minimum, 37 more officers to fulfill the recommended quota. This is just a conservative estimate, and by no means the ideal. We really need more. It's not just a public safety issue, either. Our cops are understaffed, and thus overworked. They shouldn't have to be denied time off because of understaffing issues. (Don't you like time off?) And that federal grant the common council "gave its permission" to the MPD to apply for? Wouldn't even cover this minimum, even *if* they would win it. (One alder voted against applying for the grant, and several others hemmed and hawed before voting yes. Different story.) https://www.change.org/p/mayor-soglin-fight-crime-in-madison-by-supporting-its-police-department Extra credit: If you liked what you saw, please thank Megan Wolf, who did an excellent job of reporting the story. Her email address is mwolfe@nbc15.com. You can also write to NBC15 to also thank them for their fair coverage of this important issue. http://www.nbc15.com/station/contact I hope you all have an amazing weekend. If you'd like to reach me privately, I'm at paula@pjpublications.com All the best --Paula Fitzsimmons