To the editor:

I’ve been out of town on business and vacation for the better part of the past year. While I was away I extolled the virtues of good old Lawrence: “Come see for yourself,” I invited folks I met.

Now that I’m home again, I find some disturbing things going on. The first thing I read about in the Journal-World was the flap over police conduct at the Wakarusa Festival. The picture in the paper of the young lady discussing her charge of underage drinking did not make me fear for my community. Perhaps, just perhaps, the heavy handed use of the long arm of the law was overreaction to the threat?

Yesterday I read a story about the City Commission considering the need for a citizen’s oversight board for the police department. The police department spokesman’s comments seemed to indicate that he didn’t get the point. He basically stated that the department reviews itself and that’s good enough. Perhaps, just perhaps, this arrogance is part of the problem?

Friday’s paper had a disturbing picture of two burly police officers dragging a handcuffed young woman in a manner that certainly must have been painful and likely could have done significant damage. I understand she was not cooperating, but it did not appear to me that she was any threat. Perhaps, just perhaps, a little less force would have been more appropriate?

Perhaps, just perhaps, a citizen’s police review board is just what we need.

Doug Burger,

Lawrence