Emergency-services providers vital

Lawrence is a city in which the average citizen rarely thinks about emergency service.

The emergency-service providers in Lawrence are part of an elaborate safety-response network for those incidents that might affect the livability of our great city. While most people never encounter a police officer, sheriff’s deputy or firefighter, they expect quick, professional service when they need us. In this respect, our agencies, and the Lawrence Police Department specifically, do an exceptional job of providing a safe, livable city.

The Lawrence Police Department is among the best law enforcement agencies in this part of the United States. It is built upon the hard work and focus of Lawrence residents. Our interactions with and support of other emergency-service providers in the city, county, state and nation are a tremendous benefit to the Lawrence community in ways that may never be fully understood. The end result is expert response to a multitude of problems that challenge the department and the city.

Who are these people? The men and women with whom I have worked are among the most intelligent, dedicated, selfless and honest people I have ever met. They love Lawrence for its many strengths and in spite of its weaknesses. These men and women came to our city for various reasons. Some had an interest in higher education; others returned home to Lawrence. Some were just looking for a unique place with a reputation for great emergency services. They stay in our city because of their dedication to their professions.

Our community is not without problems — no place is — however, we attempt to deal with problems as soon as possible and as aggressively as we can. Consider the landscape upon which we work. Lawrence has great wealth and poverty. We have deep intellect and illiteracy. We have the spectrum of political opinion and thought. And, almost unspeakably among these truths, we have the contrast of horrendous crimes that occasionally happen here while we also have citizens engaging in unbelievable kindness. It is this contrast and variety that presents a backdrop to all of the human events that challenge public service in Lawrence. While some of our controversies are played out in the media, our continued improvement and movement forward are largely unseen.

The citizens of Lawrence who look carefully at the forces at play in our sometimes dangerous world know that the quality, integrity and reliability of emergency-service providers, including the Lawrence Police Department, are among the reasons we love Lawrence. The contributions made by these caring, thoughtful professionals permit the average citizen to live without fear, sleep well at night, and be proud to call Lawrence home.


Ron Olin is Lawrence police chief.