He suggests, that Minnesota (St. Paul) might be more of a target than some of us are willing to admit - and he implies, that security at St. Paul schools might be lacking (re: summer construction projects and "gun free zone" signs).
I think that it is fully appropriate that we be asking these questions in our community. However, I strongly urge some level of caution and consideration about how we pose these questions.
I expect our Mayor, our police chief, and officials at the school district to all think about these issues and take appropriate responses. So, far, I have no evidence that public safety officials in St. Paul have ignored or given short shrift to these very important issues.
While it is important, that we respond to potential threats from terrorists, we must also be sure that we do not panic and that we be reasonable and practical in our responses. There is no way, without very drastic impositions on civil liberties and personal freedoms, to prevent with absolute certainty the kinds of horrendous evil that theoretically might be inflicted upon our community.
However, we cannot paralyze ourselves with fear. I know that security at St. Paul schools has increased over recent years and that vigilance and awareness among parents and staff has increased. The exact amount of money and resources that we spend on such security matters, will always be a matter of some debate with a variety of differing perspectives on the matter.
Have we done enough? I don't know.
I do know, that I'm sending my two children to St. Paul public schools this week with confidence and pride. I plan on volunteering in the schools myself AND will not fear for my safety.
While, we need to think about address these issues. We need to talk about them in public. We MUST NOT do so in a manner that spreads unnecessary or unreasonable fear in our community.
Does anyone else have any comments on how St. Paul has responded to the threat of domestic or international terrorism?
How safe do you feel in our community?
Can anyone in public service comment on how your office or department has responded to increased attention to the threat of terrorism?
Best wishes,
Tim Erickson Hamline Midway [EMAIL PROTECTED]
-- ================================================= Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722 [EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim =================================================
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