Park opponent part of problem, not solution

A letter to the editor by Rich Schick, published in the Marietta Daily Journal on Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Tuesday's letter to the editor by Peggy Weymouth urging people not to vote for the parks bond identified her as part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

She is willing to sacrifice her quality of life rather than fight for that right. Keeping our parks and neighborhoods safe and free of "perverts and drug dealers," as she put it, is not just the job of our law enforcement agencies, it is also our responsibility.

Simply dialing 911 on your cell phone and reporting suspicious activity will have a huge impact. Going to your local park or for a walk in your neighborhood with your cell phone will have a dual impact. The mere presence of respectable citizens will in itself deter the criminal element. This process is well proven and widely adopted in the Neighborhood Watch system.

Rich Schick
Marietta