To the editor:

In the few years that I have lived here, almost all I have read or heard about the Lawrence Police Department has been largely positive, which is very admirable considering the always expanding population, enlarging geographical jurisdiction and a very large transient population at KU.

Why is it then that the city has decided to spend $340,000 of the LPD building budget to build a giant ornament in front of the police station? Would it not be more appropriate to give that money to the LPD to use as it chooses? I am sure even with a new building they have a wish list of things they would like to improve or add. The city should give that money to those that deserve it and have earned it. 

It would seem the only ones to be excited about the giant ornament is the out-of-towner getting $340,000 to build it (was no one in Lawrence qualified or worthy?)  and a few people happy to have another page in the Explore Lawrence brochure. Use that money to reward the police department for its efforts, not waste it on a frivolous decoration.

Larry Mills,

Lawrence