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.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.