Letter to the Editor

Mathemagic

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Dear Editor,

Regarding Dick Trail's article "Cats, Cats And More Cats" of Aug. 11, 2009, I have a couple of question problems for Dick the Mathemagician to solve.

Dick claims that the ultimate, end-all, be-all answer to the proper ration of police to population is 1:1000. He also, very correctly, points out that there are 168 hours in a week. How many officers, ideally, should a community of 2000 have, and how many hours a week would those officers work?

A more challenging question: Dick, let's say that it's 2 a.m., and you find yourself in a bar parking lot being vigorously trounced by two or three determined violent criminal assailants.

You happen to live in a community of 8,300 people. Your police department adheres strictly to your ratio-to-end-all-ratios. One of the officers who was to be on duty on this particular night is on vacation, away at training, or ill.

Another is booking a prisoner into the city jail, since the county does not have one. How much help will arrive with lights and sirens, and how do you like your chances? Remember, there are 168 hours in a week...

The 1:1000 ratio does work exceptionally well in communities whose populations are measured in six digits or more. But, four digits? Not so much.

Owen McPhillips

McCook

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  • I don't claim to be a math wizard or even a magician, But I do remember when all of Red Willow county was served by a Sheriff and one Deputy and we didn't have nearly as much crime as you do now with lots of enforcement officers. So, what changed?

    It seems to me that when there are a lot of police around, the crime seems to follow.

    I am only Dick's cousin, and don't speak for him, but it seems to me that some of you could find another one to blame for our troubles. Isn't that why you elected a new President? It's time for change. So, move on....

    -- Posted by j_trail on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, at 6:36 PM
  • J, there is a difference between how much crime is DETECTED and how much crime EXISTS.

    -- Posted by Owen McPhillips on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 3:57 AM
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