When BLM suggestions of "Defund the Police" seemed counterproductive after the George Floyd murder, Crabgrass suggested, "Downfund the Police." And a community services branch as well as regular policing. On reflection, Bernie's suggestion at the time made more sense, spend more, professionalize more, and ferret out racism if there. But boost the law enforcement while making it better.
That is enough on urban policing, because the main focus is Strib, again writing its own content of local concerns to go with national news carried from news services.
Specifically, a story -
In two boating incidents , Kandiyohi County sheriffs rescue stranded hunters amid strong winds
The Sheriff’s Office is urging boaters to use caution on the water when wind speeds are high and unpredictable. By Greta Kaul - The Minnesota Star Tribune -November 17, 2024
The story is a straightforward recount of how stranded people were rescued by authorities after boats took on water. In appearance a routine story, except for perhaps the gratitude of those rescued and those doing their rescue service beyond primarily law enforcement.
There was a time my brother in law and I were in a largely empty canoe in high winds in the Boundary Waters where paddling as best we could, where the wind heading into it, was prevailing. We sheltered in shallow water behind a downed tree and a steep bluff for about half an hour until the wind died down and we could paddle to the portage without any mishap beyond rubbery legs from the cramped long sitting leading to an uneventful fall into the cold wet but shallow water when disembarking at the portage. Wet, worried, but unharmed.
The notion was sobering that boats shipping water is a frequent hazard, one which we avoided in the canoe because of it having a high profile to the wind from being empty also meant waves crested short of taking on water. A fortunate trade-off.
What matters from the personal inconvenience is that a threat existed and we were grateful to not have been swamped. Then I read today how outstate Sheriff's personnel helped others not as lucky. It was sobering to read but good to see the public service dimension met by authorities, as reported, and something for which they deserved credit. It was good to see it reported. It is good they were there on the job when needed.