<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 is Part 3 of a series focusing 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 is Law Enforcement 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 with 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? Is it because LEOs routinely <span style="color: #0000ff;">stop citizens (grandma says No at DUI checkpoint)</span> as they go about their business, in a supposed effort to reign in crime?

<span style="color: #0000ff;">(Pic of Cop shaking person upside down)</span> 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>, often 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 paid to serve and protect them?

Police recruits are increasingly trained to view the American people as The Enemy? Are our Police unwittingly allowing themselves to become 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 are important, 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. This preference for Order works well in the military, but can make it difficult when trying to achieve that right balance between Order and the Rights of individuals in a free, open society. LEOs must walk a fine line if they are to serve those they've sworn to serve and protect. This has never been an easy mission.

As if to spray gasoline on an already blazing fire, Legislators pass tons of laws each year, 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? Many 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. How can LEOs defend that which millions of Americans have sacrificed, fought and died to preserve if we as voters don't insist our Legislators give them clear directions they can reasonably be expected to follow and implement?

To make matters 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 <strong>edit footage</strong> to make sure the video fits the narrative they want told.

We’ve attended community programs sponsored by the Scotland County Sheriff’s Department, and quite frankly, came away disappointed. There appears little understanding and even less interest 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 interested in manipulating the public instead of doing the hard work needed to successfully address long festering issues. Recent training efforts appear designed to better enable Officers to deflect public concern.

Not only are our Police and Sheriff taking hard earned federal taxpayer dollars to buy the latest gadgets, gear and surveillance equipment, they are in return allowing, and even encouraging Federal agencies to come into the area and do whatever they want with no oversight. <strong>This is extremely short sighted and potentially very dangerous.</strong>

Lauringburg Police Chief Darwin Williams and County Sheriff Ralph Kersey exist to serve and protect us, not Washington DC schemers, scammers, kleptocrats, plutocrats and psychopaths.

Several attempts have been made to contact Laurinburg Police Chief Darwin Williams and Scotland County Sheriff Ralph Kersey regarding issues, but no response was received.

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<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><span style="font-size: 16px; color: #de030b;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,sans- serif;">We'd love to hear your questions or comments below. Thank you.</span></span></strong></em></p>
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