John Gaccione

06/19/18

The summer solstice is almost upon us and with it will come the longest day. To mark the event, headquarters is encouraging the faithful to distribute more “Keep Our Police Independent” lawn signs through out the wilds of Kensington. Like John the Baptist these signs are a lone voice crying out in the wilderness.

Strangely enough headquarters has been getting reports some folks are still not clear on the meaning of the sign’s message. Some are asking if the sign message suggests the police are free from all control and influence by others, and the message implies the police are autonomous and self-governing.

The members of the Kensington Police are public employees and are under the direction of the Kensington Police Protection Community Service District. They are neither autonomous nor self-governing. Advertising to keep the police independent when they are not and have never been becomes just another empty slogan. Very similar to the meaningless tag line “Put Kensington First”.

To some folks it may seem odd to display signs on their property with a message announcing their opposition to the Matrix study, long before the study has even made any recommendations. The blunt “Don’t Contract  Out” message echoes the same rush to judgment. Can I get an amen?

Perhaps the recent Matrix draft report could help shed some light on the subject. It reported that most of the time Kensington police personnel are operating on their own. The draft report goes on to note there is a lack of adequate first-line supervision for two thirds of the week.

If you’re thinking about a lawn sign for your spread, you might be endorsing the police operating on their own minus first-line supervision a great deal of the time. An “independent” force with minimal supervision, what could possibly go wrong? Can I get a witness?

Summer solstice, midsummer, the longest day of the year, whatever you wish to call it the Kensingtonian faithful know it’s a sure sign to “Put Kensington First”.

“Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions.” (Edward R. Murrow)

Keeping K-town First in Litigation since 2008