We want a choice

This letter is in regard to the May 11 editorial "Hometown Cops: Let the City Require Residency of Police." First, let me respond to the statement, "Is there nothing happening in the suburbs to occupy the attention of state Sens. Jane Orie of McCandless and Sean Logan of Monroeville?" I didn't hear anyone asking the senators that when the mayor and City Council were asking the legislators for money and new taxes. The editorial said, "Why this is any of their business is unclear." Maybe the senators should have responded similarly with, "Why are the city's finances any of our business?"

Why they didn't is that they looked at the area as a whole region; they looked at the whole picture. They know the region needs Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh needs the region. Unfortunately the mentality certain individuals have in this city is "stay out of our business ... until we need you."

Contrary to what you imply, the 791 Pittsburgh police officers who are still on the job are not all going to pack up and move out of the city. There are many police officers who would not move out, just like there were many teachers who didn't move out.

To use a scare tactic by implying the city would be less safe or officers would not care about the community anymore is ridiculous. That would be like saying the education of students is compromised now that a teacher lives in Cranberry but teaches in the city. The majority of people take pride in doing their jobs, which does not change due to their geographic location.

Pittsburgh is one of the safer cities in America. According to Mayor Tom Murphy and City Council, it's a direct result of police having to live in the city. The real reason Pittsburgh is one of the safer cities is because it is blessed with a lot of good police officers who do their job very well and a lot of good citizens. That's not going to change as a result of where a police officer lays his or her head at night. All we are asking for is a right to have a choice, just like the majority of everyone else. Some officers will choose to exercise that right and some won't.

CHARLES BABJACK
Sheraden

Editor's note: The writer is a Pittsburgh police officer.

Give them a break

I applaud state Sens. Jane Orie of McCandless and Sean Logan of Monroeville for their move to oppose residency requirements for police in any municipality in the state. We ask cops to risk their lives while on duty, and they assume the role of protectors off-duty, should the occasion arise. But is it right to increase the likelihood of retribution from criminals by forcing officers to live in the same neighborhoods? I think not.

If there is not enough police presence in a community, that should be addressed. But not by forcing cops and their families to endure harassment and live in danger 24/7. We breathe a sigh of relief when our soldiers overseas are removed from harm's way. Cops are our urban soldiers. Should we value their lives any less? Having a cop living in your neighborhood should be a privilege, not a right.

KERRI A. MORIARTY
Shaler