Honored to receive the endorsement of the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association 34

Huge thanks to those brave men and women for your confidence and support!

Whether black, brown, white, gay, straight, rich, or poor…our country’s courageous law enforcement officers are a rare bread of man or woman who run to the sound of danger, on our behalf. They are part of the very fabric of this nation. Indeed, without their and their family’s sacrifices our society would most certainly be torn apart with the darkest of our human impulses. 

Their higher purpose and profession has been questioned and invaded even by politics. Sure there are bad apples who must be weeded out with accountability in an imperfect system. Our law enforcement agencies can always achieve better understanding of cultures and common worries of the communities they serve in. 

We must create more bonds, build more trust, and teach more communication and not blow up relationships that matter, for ourselves, for our safety, and for our security. 

I know there is much concern and divide in our country right now on this topic. But, we can choose to move in that dangerous direction as a nation, divided into our respective camps. Some of us can be filled with bitterness, fear, or even hatred. We can follow in the footsteps of other parts of the world and of some of our own episodes in the past with both sides contributing to people fearing for their safety, causing unnecessary injuries, or even death. 

Or we can realize we are all on the same side and have civil conversations, express our concerns and questions without the stain of ugliness that has been far too common. Never should one feel scared of those in uniform because of the color of their skin, the style of their clothes, or what side of town they from. And…never should one of the 99.9 percent of law enforcement officers in good standing be subjected to disrespect, non cooperation, or unnecessary fear for their own lives. Let us start and always believe that all of us support the rule of law, and that each of us truly cares about our causes, our communities, and our country.

We have faced difficult times in our past and there will be difficult times in our future. But, I believe in the resiliency of this nation, I believe our checks and balance realign over time and are lasting, Most of all I believe in our people, that ultimately the push and pull of free ideas, and debate, and democracy are what strengthens us, our culture, and our society. Let us choose to engage as one team. Let us always be calm, for calm is contagious and will help us better serve each other, help us build relationships, and in the understanding each other.