<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" />

(Pic) 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 greatly 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>

<span style="color: #0000ff;">(Pic of sign at Jerry's Deli)</span> Why does local law enforcement now feel it needs a cheer leading squad to post signs of 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 <strong>each and every one of us, </strong>regardless of whether we 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 clamp down on crime?

<span style="color: #0000ff;">(Pic of Cop shaking person upside down)</span> FBI statistics disclose that in 2014 alone $4.5 billion was <span style="color: #0000ff;">stolen</span> from the American people. Homes, cars, business assets and cash are being routinely <span style="color: #0000ff;">seized</span>, 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 us?

Police recruits are increasingly trained to view the American people as The Enemy? Are LEOs 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 and fundamental differences as well.

Those drawn to military and law enforcement careers often express a strong preference for <strong><em>order</em></strong> over the seeming anarchy that individual freedom and self expression can engender. This preference works well in the military, but can make it difficult when trying to achieve the <em>right balance</em> required to maintain a <em>free</em> and <em>open</em> society. LEOs must walk a fine line. 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 <em>just, lawful or constitutiona</em>l. <em><strong>T</strong><strong><em>h</em>ere are two things you don’t want to see being made, sausage and politics</strong></em>.

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 laws 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 a clear set of directions to follow?

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, sophisticated surveillance technology and the latest in <em>crowd control</em> to quell free speech and the right to petition government for grievances. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between Law Enforcement 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 <em>on and off</em> to suit their needs, and despite claims to the contrary, can and do <em>edit footage</em> to make sure videos fit the narrative they want told.

We’ve attended community programs sponsored by the Scotland County Sheriff’s Department, and quite frankly, came away very disappointed. There appears to be 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 more interested in manipulating the public than doing the hard work necessary to successfully address long festering issues.

It's bad enough that local Law Enforcement is taking hard earned federal taxpayer dollars to buy gadgets, gear and surveillance equipment, worse yet, they are 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>

Local law enforcement is here to serve and protect us, not roll out the red carpet for Washington DC schemers, scammers, kleptocrats, plutocrats and psychopaths.

Numerous attempts were made to contact Laurinburg Police Chief Darwin Williams and Scotland County Sheriff Ralph Kersey regarding these issues. No response was received.

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