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On stage at the LEAD Rally at Neptune High School. January 9, 2015.  Paul Goldfinger photos ©  NHS color guard in the background.

January 9, 2015. Neptune High School.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

With all due respect to the organizations that planned this event in a hurry, the two hour session, although well intentioned, failed, for the most part, to confront the real challenges that have recently been causing so much angst among law enforcement.

We all are aware that the police have been frustrated lately by unfair allegations that they are out to abuse young African-American males. Those that recently promoted anti-police demonstrations, rhetoric , and even violence would like America to believe that the police are racists and go out of their way to stop, search, arrest and even shoot unarmed black men. Most reasonable people know that those charges are false.

These allegations have been paraded across the country by media and community “leaders” who prefer to divide racial groups rather than to promote harmony. In addition, the problem has been compounded by lack of leadership and support for police at the highest levels of government, including the White House, the Department of Justice, and the New York City mayor’s office.

Many police officers were in attendance. Blogfinger photo ©

Today’s event at the Neptune High School Performing Arts Center was lightly attended with about 200 in the audience. It’s interesting that almost all those present were white. Many who came were policemen, families of police and others who work with and support police such as the Police Unity Tour, NJ State PBA , Neptune Township Police Dept., National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (Central Jersey Chapter,) Neptune Township Committee, State Troopers Fraternal Association, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) and about a dozen other similar groups.

There were 15 speakers, many from the sponsoring organizations and they mostly expressed similar themes which the vast majority in the audience already embrace: i.e. police are dedicated and brave; they put their lives on the line every day; they protect us from harm; they protect our communities from chaos; they offer programs to reach out to kids; their work is not a job, it is a calling; police should be treated with “dignity and respect;” police are good, not evil; police treat all citizens equally; and that many police die or are injured in the line of duty.

Yes, all of that is totally accurate, and all of us should commend the police and be grateful for their service, but what was missing today was an attempt to find insights and solutions to the reasons for calling this meeting in the first place.

There were some who stuck their necks out. Chief Kevin Sauter, President of the NJ State PBA said “This is not a happy time to be an officer.” He said, “Horrible things are being said about us around the country.” He wished the public would be more supportive, but “the public doesn’t understand police work.” He said that the “commitment to duty” of police deserves support and understanding from citizens and public officials. If police do something wrong and are to be judged, he said, it must happen in a courtroom and not on the street.

Trooper Chris Borgos, President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association cautioned officers to “remain vigilant and never let your guard down.”

Trooper Andy Mathews, incoming chairman of the National Troopers Coalition said, “We need public support more than ever. We will not be deterred (in performing our duty) even if we die doing it and we will not allow our badges to be tarnished or broken.”

The only speaker who offered ideas about how to fix the current situation was Rev. Greg Boyle, a former policeman who is now Chaplain of the Police Unity Tour. Boyle offered a “benediction,” but it was more than that.

He said, “The tides have been turned in our nation, so something needs to be done.” His first suggestion was that the woman who murdered a NJ state trooper in 1973, Joanne Chesimard, should be returned to the U.S. from Cuba.   He also asked that the penalties for non-compliance and refusing arrest should be increased.

In addition, Boyle believes that a significant contributory factor is that kids don’t learn manners and respect at home. In an interview with Blogfinger after the event he said that our education system should introduce curriculum changes to teach kids how to respect police and how to properly conduct themselves.  We expressed skepticism that school boards would introduce such measures, but it seemed like a constructive and important idea.

Scott Rasmussen spoke of the Neptune Twp. policeman who saved the lives of himself and his family. Blogfinger photo ©

An interesting sidelight for Ocean Grovers was the appearance of Scott Rasmussen who, on March 13, 2010, was awakened by a Neptune policeman at 5:15 am who told him to get his family outside because the Manchester Inn was in flames. Twenty minutes later, his entire house was engulfed.   In an emotional recounting of those events, Rasmussen gave credit to that police officer for saving his family that morning. He also complimented the Neptune PD as an outstanding police force and he was effusive in his thanks to the community.

There were bag pipes, many police in uniform, and, as advertised, it was a day to appreciate law enforcement. But all of us there knew that much more needs to be done to deal with the latest tension between police and those who criticize them. The first step needs to openly and truthfully identify the problems and then to seek solutions.

Another step might have been, instead of sending those Neptune High School students home early, to invite those kids to this event.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN    “Land of Hope and Dreams.”

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