Staying as safe as can be

Now that a year has passed, it is more than natural to want to put

the horrible events of last year behind us.

Unfortunately, that is not going to be possible. As we put to rest

our feelings of sorrow, we were reminded just how vulnerable we

continue to be as the nation went to a heightened level of terror

alert in the days leading up to the anniversary of the Sept. 11

terrorist attacks.

So that’s our calling now. To keep ever vigilant. To ensure that

those entrusted and responsible for our safety receive not only our

moral but financial support.

At home, there are many fronts to watch.

We have miles of beautiful coastline and a pleasure harbor with

scores of homes that we need to protect.

We have a high-profile Downtown, which is expanding as a tourist

destination. We have the identification as Surf City, U.S.A. We have

the pier jutting out into the ocean.

In the case of the coast and harbor, we want to believe that the

Coast Guard and Harbor Patrol and all who protect us there are doing

their best. But is it enough?

We agree with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher that the Coast Guard’s

role has got to change dramatically now.

The Coast Guard needs to be on par with other arms of the military

in terms of visibility and priority. Guarding us here at home needs

to be job No. 1.

We urge federal officials to continue keeping local agencies

informed of security risks or other possible hazards. In turn, we put

our faith in our police, fire fighters, harbor patrols and other

security officials to keep us safe.

At least as safe as can be.