Where would Chicago be without cops who risk their lives by running toward gunfire?on May 17, 2021 at 5:11 pm

In her column on Friday, Mary Mitchell summed up what the perception of Chicago’s cops is all about. When a cop screws up, she wrote, we don’t spare any ink letting the public know, but some of us don’t give the police the credit they deserve.

It’s been said over and over again that cops are members of the community. They are fathers, mothers, neighbors and relatives. They are human beings who are susceptible to all the human frailties. There are failures in any walk of life, but cops are often held to a much higher standard — as it should be. But, as Mary wrote, we do not give them the credit they deserve.

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Having been a Chicago cop myself for 33 years, I can honestly say that no one hates bad cops more than good cops. And the overwhelming majority of cops fall into the category of good cops.

Cringe moments sometimes last for days when the media reports on bad cops — some from hundreds of miles away — who have crossed the line and disgraced the overwhelming majority who take seriously their oath to serve and protect.

Now, this past weekend, two more Chicago police officers were shot after they ran toward gunfire. In the last 16 months, 16 officers have been shot and more than 108 have taken on gunfire. Chicago cop suicide rates are among the highest in the nation.

Mary Mitchell gets all that. She nailed it. Think about where society would be if we didn’t have all those good cops running toward gunfire.

Thanks for not sparing that ink, Mary. It’s nice to be recognized.

Bob Angone, retired lieutenant, Chicago Police Department

Powerful column by Perez

Once again, I was gripped by the powerful writing of Ismael Perez. His column on Friday was wincingly painful, yet filled with hope that a loving embrace could cover and protect him and his family. It’s difficult to understand the pain that addiction seems to quench in addicts, or from where the need stems. We just witness the anguish addiction causes to our loved ones and ourselves.

The courage that Perez’ mother exhibited, her whole life, is breathtaking. She put him first.

Rosemarie Sulek, Wildwood

Vaccinated but wary

I know that I am fully vaccinated, and I know the vaccination status of my family and friends. When I’m out in public, though, I don’t know the vaccination status of those around me who are not wearing masks. It’s not enough that I, having been vaccinated, likely wouldn’t be hospitalized or die if I still caught COVID-19. I don’t want to get it at all.

My guess is that I have lots of company.

Mary F. Warren, Wheaton

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