During the public portion of the Township Committee meeting in Manalapan on May 11, I suggested that the governing body place a decal on the back of police cars reading: A Universal Rule, The Golden Rule [ … as you would that men (human beings) should do to you, do you also to them likewise]. White print on a navy blue background would be fine.
My request is in response to the TV, radio, and print media leaving the populace with a growing impression that our police forces are becoming citizen unfriendly (SWAT teams, militarized police, killing and physical abuse of citizens, etc.). The decal would speak of a police department’s attitude and the attitude it would expect within its own citizenry.
It is a simple idea that could have a positive and powerful outcome. And so, my recommendation goes out to all governing bodies and their police forces. Police organizations can pay for the decals, saving the taxpayer the cost.
Ray Kalainikas
Manalapan