To the editor:

Upon reading the recent article in the Journal-World detailing former police chief Olin’s encounter with the police department after he discharged a firearm within city limits no less than five times, I couldn’t help but question what role Olin’s prominent past played in how this situation was handled or, shall I say, ignored. Regardless of what medical problems Olin faced/faces or how much credible evidence demonstrates that his actions were the product of a medicinal reaction, I have to wonder how many shots I could discharge within city limits without receiving as much as a ticket?

Whether this special treatment truly exists or is only perceived, for the Lawrence Police Department, the timing of this couldn’t be worse. With half the public still harboring distaste at the ticket-fixing scandal, and the other half displeased with the massive multimillion-dollar tax-funded expansion request amidst the worst recession we’ve seen in 70 years, this latest negative publicity will just get added to the pile.

As an outsider viewing all of this, I’m reminded of a saying a very wise mentor of mine imparted upon me once: “In this life we make our own luck.” Perhaps when the Lawrence Police Department grows tired of their negative public image, they will begin to take a course of action that serves to remedy that.