<img class="size-medium wp-image-1021 alignleft" src="http://carolinacrossroads.news/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/we-support-our-police-300x198.jpg" alt="we-support-our-police" width="300" height="198" />

This series focuses on the role our Police and Sheriff departments play, as we quest for solutions to failing communities, severely depressed economies and a rising tide of violent crime.

To be sure, there are plenty of bad guys and Law Enforcement stands between them and us. Their service is appreciated and in exchange they are well compensated.

The Police are our employees. They work for us. They are paid with our tax dollars.

<strong>Americans are not required to obey laws that are unlawful or unconstitutional, nor are LEOs empowered to enforce laws that defy the Constitution.</strong>

Why does local Law Enforcement now feel it needs a cheer leading squad to go out and post signs showing support? Is it because the Internet is full of horrifying videos showing Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) harassing, abusing, pepper spraying, tasing, beating, robbing, arresting, shooting and even killing innocent citizens? Is it because LEOs use powerful, often unlawful technologies like 'Stingrays' to collect private information and data on each and every citizen regardless of whether they are suspected of committing a crime?

FBI statistics disclose that in 2014 alone $4.5 billion was <strong>stolen</strong> from the American people. Homes, cars, business assets and cash are being routinely <strong>seized</strong>, usually without any charges filed or even the pretense of illegality or wrongdoing. In contrast, the FBI states that only $3.5 billion was lost due to actual burglaries. <strong>That’s right; according to our own FBI, the vast majority of thefts are being committed not by burglars, but by Police.</strong>

Is it any wonder Americans increasing view Police as dangerous predators. Should honest, God fearing citizens be forced to cower before those charged with serving and protecting them?

Police recruits are increasingly trained to view the American people as The Enemy? Are the Police unwittingly allowing themselves to become little more mafia style enforcers, making sure we don't forget who’s really in charge?

LEOs are often former military, and while there are valuable synergies between the two, there important and fundamental differences as well. Those drawn to military and law enforcement service, generally speaking, prefer Order over the anarchy that Individual Freedom and unfettered self expression frequently engender. While this trait works well in the military, it makes it difficult when trying to achieve the right balance between order and the rights of individuals in a free, open society. LEOs must learn to walk a fine line if they are to successfully serve those they've sworn to protect. Being a good LEO has never been easy.

As if to spray gasoline on an already blazing fire, Legislators pass tons of laws each session, most of which are neither well thought out, needed or desirable. The legislative process does not ensure laws are Just, Lawful or Constitutional. There's and old saying: "<strong>There are two things you don’t want to see being made, sausage and politics"</strong>.

Did you know most legislation isn't written by the legislators we elect, but rather by professional lobbyists in the employ of wealthy families and large corporations? Some Legislators routinely vote for Bills they've never seen, let alone read.

<strong>Legislative abuse places an enormous burden upon LEOs </strong>who take a solemn oath to enforce the law and defend the Constitution against enemies, foreign and domestic. How can society expect LEOs to defend that which millions of Americans have sacrificed, fought and died to preserve if we don't insist our legislators equip them with the tools they need to understand this complex and often dysfunctional dynamic?

To make matters even worse, Washington DC now showers state and local Law Enforcement with virtually unlimited taxpayer funds to acquire gnarly war wagons, military style combat gear and sophisticated surveillance devices. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between Police and Soldiers going off to war.

Departments are equipping vehicles with Dash Cams and LEOs with Body Cams in a stated effort to reign in rogue behavior, supposedly introducing transparency and accountability. This sounds great, until you realize that Officers are able to selectively turn cameras <strong>on and off</strong> to suit their needs, and despite claims to the contrary, can and do edit footage to make sure that when necessary, it fits the narrative they want told.

We’ve attended community events, meetings and programs sponsored by the Scotland County Sheriff’s Department, and quite frankly, were very disappointed. There appears little understanding and even less concern regarding the role today’s County Sheriff is expected to play if we are to remain a free people in an open society.

Deputies appear intent upon manipulating the public instead of doing the hard work needed to successfully resolve long festering issues. It's obvious that the training they are receiving is not improving performance, but rather is better enabling them to deflect public concern.

Our County Sheriff, like others, is taking hard earned federal taxpayer dollars to buy the latest gadgets, gear and surveillance equipment. In return the Department allows, and even encourges Federal agencies to come in and do whatever they want in Scotland County with no oversight and complete impunity. <strong>This is extremely short sighted and dangerous.</strong>

Our Sheriff was elected to serve and protect Scotland County, not Washington DC schemers, scammers, kleptocrats, plutocrats and psychopaths.

Several attempts were made to contact Scotland County Sheriff Ralph Kersey regarding these issues, but no response was received.

<strong>We cordially invite Sheriff Kersey to be interviewed by Carolina Crossroads News regarding these issues.</strong>

<strong>End of Part 2. Stay tuned for Part 3</strong>

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